Wayne State University College of Nursing

We are thrilled to share that Dr. Rick Zimmerman, Professor in the College of Nursing, has been honored with a Southeastern Michigan HIV/AIDS Council People’s Choice 2025 Award at their Post-Valentine’s Day Gala! This well-deserved recognition celebrates Dr. Zimmerman’s dedication to improving lives in the community, particularly his impactful work in enhancing the quality of health care for LGBTQ+ individuals. Join us in congratulating Dr. Zimmerman on this incredible achievement!

Last week, our College of Nursing community came together for the Blood Drive in Cohn Lounge, making a real difference for patients in need. Every donation has the power to save up to three lives, and our future healthcare professionals stepped up in a big way! A huge thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves and contributed to this life-saving effort. Your generosity and commitment to care truly embody the spirit of nursing.

Wayne State University’s College of Nursing, in collaboration with universities across Michigan, invites you to a thought-provoking film screening and panel discussion of Everybody’s Work—a compelling documentary exploring racism in healthcare through the lens of nurses. ?? Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025 ?? Location: WSU McGregor Memorial Conference Center, Rooms B/C ? Time: 4:45–7:30 PM ?? Cost: FREE & Open to the Public Why Attend? ? Gain a deeper understanding of systemic challenges in healthcare ? Earn 2.25 Nursing Continuing Education (CE) Contact Hours (self-claim credits available for other professionals) ? Engage in a live simulcast panel discussion with experts across Michigan Event Schedule: ?? 4:45-5:45 PM – Film Screening ? 5:45-6:15 PM – Refreshments & Networking ?? 6:15-7:30 PM – Panel Discussion (Simulcast Statewide) This program meets the State of Michigan’s Implicit Bias Continuing Education Credit requirements. Secure your spot today! Register at https://lnkd.in/gHcQ3_u2. For questions, contact Julia Farner at [email protected].

Wayne State University’s Giving Day is back on April 10, 2025! This is your chance to Give Green, Be Gold and make an impact by supporting the areas of WSU that mean the most to you—including the College of Nursing. Stay tuned—our College of Nursing giving page will be shared soon! Together, we can invest in the future of healthcare and empower the next generation of nurses. Mark your calendars, spread the word and get ready to make a difference! #GiveGreenBeGold #GivingDay2025 #CountdownToGiving

Students interested in aesthetic nursing gathered in Room 15 of the Cohn Building on March 5 for an insightful discussion led by Neveen Khalil and Maya Khalil, Family Nurse Practitioners specializing in medical aesthetics. The sisters shared their experiences in the field, offering guidance on certification, career opportunities and the challenges of transitioning from clinical nursing to aesthetics. They also discussed the differences between independent practice and working under a physician, as well as the latest innovations in medical aesthetics and the most in-demand non-surgical procedures. The event, presented by the College of Nursing and the Student Nurses’ Association, provided attendees with a chance to ask questions and explore new career possibilities beyond traditional healthcare settings. Thank you to everyone who joined the conversation and made this session a success!

Zeynep Zonp, PhD, RN, an assistant professor in the Wayne State University College of Nursing, is co-leading a two-year, $25,000 project—funded by an internal grant from the University of Michigan—to study trauma recovery among Muslim women survivors of gender-based violence. Collaborating with Denise Saint Arnault, PhD, RN, FAAN, of the University of Michigan, Dr. Zonp’s role includes overseeing data collection with diverse immigrant populations, ensuring linguistic and cultural adaptation of study materials, and contributing to data analysis. This research, part of Zonp’s broader international work, focuses on women from North Africa (Morocco and Tunisia), Türkiye, Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel and Arab immigrants in metro Detroit. By examining how cultural beliefs shape help-seeking behaviors and healing pathways, the project seeks to empower survivors, reduce stigma and guide culturally informed interventions that foster resilience.

As we wrap up our Black History Month celebration, we honor the incredible legacy of Dr. Feleta L. Wilson, a long-standing associate professor of nursing at Wayne State University whose work transformed patient education and health literacy for vulnerable communities. A passionate advocate for health equity, Dr. Wilson’s research helped bridge critical gaps in patient understanding, ensuring culturally sensitive, accessible educational materials for those in need. Her groundbreaking studies were published in top-tier journals, influencing both academia and clinical practice. Beyond her research, Dr. Wilson was a dedicated community leader, serving in multiple roles with the Detroit Community Health Connection, which provides primary care to uninsured and underinsured individuals. In 2014, her commitment to healthcare access was recognized with the dedication of The Dr. Feleta Wilson Health Center in her honor. From earning her BSN at North Carolina A&T State University to her MPH from the University of Michigan and PhD from Wayne State University, Dr. Wilson’s journey is a testament to the power of education, leadership and advocacy.

We continue our Black History Month celebration with Bernice Finley Morton, Ph.D. ‘48, ‘61, a trailblazer in nursing and education. Dr. Morton profoundly impacted Wayne State University's College of Nursing and the broader Detroit community. Facing racial barriers in Michigan's nursing programs, she pursued her nursing diploma in New York before returning to Detroit as a Public Health Nurse, serving minority populations. Dr. Morton earned both her BSN (1948) and MSN (1961) from Wayne State University and later achieved a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Michigan in 1980. At Wayne State, Dr. Morton broke new ground as the first African American to achieve tenure in the College of Nursing. In 1968, collaborating with the Wayne State's medical school, she played a pivotal role in establishing the nation's first Model Cities Comprehensive Health Care Center, serving as its initial nursing director. Dr. Morton also made history as the first African American chairperson of Public Relations for the Michigan Nurses Association. Her dedication earned her numerous accolades, including the Outstanding Mentorship Award from the Michigan Black Nurses Association in 1990 and the Mary Mahoney Award from the American Nurses Association in 1996. In 2002, she authored "The Color of Healing," capturing the narratives of 21 African American nurses. Dr. Morton's legacy continues through the Dr. Bernice Finley Morton Scholarship, supporting African American students enrolled in Wayne State University's College of Nursing. In 2017, she was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame. Dr. Morton's unwavering commitment to education, mentorship and community service has left an indelible mark on Wayne State University and the nursing profession.

We’re kicking off our Black History Month celebration by honoring Dr. Gloria R. Smith ‘55, a Wayne State University alumna who served as dean of the College of Nursing from 1988 to 1991. She began her career in 1955 as a public health nurse in Detroit and later earned a Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan, a Master’s in Anthropology from the University of Oklahoma, and a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the Union of Experimenting Colleges and Universities in Cincinnati. Dr. Smith was the first nurse appointed as director of the Michigan Department of Public Health. After her tenure at Wayne State, she joined the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in 1991 as coordinator of health programs and was promoted to vice president in 1995, serving until her retirement in 2001. She was also a member of the Institute of Medicine, the National League for Nursing, and the National Black Nurses Association.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended this week's ribbon-cutting ceremony for the College of Nursing's brand-new classroom space. Dean Ramona Benkert, Provost Laurie M. Lauzon Clabo, and VBSN student Mark Bowdish addressed the crowd, highlighting the significance of this innovative space in advancing nursing education. This investment underscores our commitment to providing a transformative learning environment that mirrors the realities of modern nursing practice. By ensuring that nursing students have access to high-tech, adaptable learning environments, Wayne State is equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and hands-on training necessary to serve the community effectively. Thank you once again to all who supported this milestone for the College of Nursing! ?? https://lnkd.in/gahf9ATM