The Decker School of Nursing--Alumni, Parents & Friends


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Decker Awarded $500,000 from Dr. G. Clifford and Florence B. Decker Foundation. . . Read More

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DSON Nursing History Collection
Nursing and nursing education has a long history reaching well back into the 19th century. Although the Decker School is young, it shares in this rich history, and we would like to commemorate this lineage in a permanent display within the school. Any memorabilia related to the Decker School or the nursing profession such as pins, photos, books, and other mementos that you are willing to part with or lend to us would be welcome.

For more information about contributions to the Nursing History Display contact Jennie Orton at jorton@binghamton.edu.

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Reconnect with Decker School classmates through the Binghamton University Alumni Association.

Decker School alums will also want to visit the Alumni Association web site to find links to the BU alumni on-line community and links that allow you to update your snail mail and e-mail address information. The latter will ensure that you receive electronic notifications of on-line issues of Alumni Connect and DeckerScope, the Decker School’s newsletter.

The BU Alumni Association web site also provides a link to the Binghamton Alumni Journal and its archives. While visiting the alumni web site you may also want to check out the on-line Alumni Career Network.

Lastly, don't forget to check out the earliest details on Homecoming 2006 and come back to Binghamton!

Parents On-line Network (Click the link to view the home page for parents of Binghamton University students and grads!)

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Alumni Notes

Read about fellow alums and what they have to say.

You can "Share Your News" by clicking on the text above.

$500,000 in funding from Dr. G. Clifford and Florence B. Decker Foundation announced during Decker School of Nursing 35th anniversary reception

The Decker School of Nursing hosted its 35th anniversary dinner and reception on Friday, May 13, with former Dean Sarah H. Gueldner (at left) welcoming nearly 100 guests. Remarks followed by President Lois B. DeFleur who announced that a 1/2 million in grant funding from the Dr. G. Clifford & Florence B. Decker Foundation would be awarded to the Decker School in June.

“I am very pleased to announce that the Decker Foundation has provided another generous grant [to the Decker School] for the establishment of an Innovative Practices Center,” said President DeFleur. “This grant will provide for the purchase of cutting-edge clinical simulation technology that will enable our students to learn more quickly, develop better assessment and treatment skills, and be better nurses.”

"The establishment of the Innovative Practice Center exemplifies the mission of the Decker Foundation. Dr. and Mrs. Decker had a passion for excellence and a commitment to higher education in the health care field," said Gerald E. Putman, (at right) executive director of the Decker Foundation. "With the continuing nationwide shortage of trained nurses, this new facility will help the Decker School of Nursing address that shortage in a very tangible way for our community. The federal government projects that the shortage of nurses in New York state alone will exceed 17,000 by 2010 and nearly 30,000 by 2015," Putman said.

Establishing an innovative practices center means significant upgrades to what nursing students currently call the "Learning Lab." Situated on the second floor of the Decker School, technological improvements to the lab will be many, but of great importance is the purchase of two SimMan® units, "portable and advanced patient simulators for team training. SimMan® is a life-sized manikin (click image at left to enlarge) with high tech capabilities that has realistic anatomy and clinical functionality which challenge and test students' clinical and decision-making skills during realistic patient-care scenarios."

Another purchase to enhance the learning lab and assist nursing student's in building confidence in their clinical skills will be the purchase of an Adult Virtual I.V., a comprehensive and fully interactive self-directed learning system for intravenous catheterization training. Students will be able to practice starting I.V.s using a patient model which provides computerized state-of-the-art feedback. Case scenarios, simulations, automated debriefing, and educational content will enable students to experience all aspects of peripheral venous catheterization.

During the reception, President DeFleur also recognized dignitaries in attendance including: 2005 Commencement honorary doctorate recipient and prominent nursing leader, Dr. Ada Sue Hinshaw, RN, PhD, FAAN (pictured at right); Carlton Thompson, member of the Decker School Advisory Council; Joe Bress, president of the University Alumni Association Board; Jerry Putman, executive director of the Dr. G. Clifford & Florence B. Decker Foundation; and Ferris Akel, chairman of the Decker Foundation Board of Trustees.

Gueldner made final opening remarks asking several attendees to stand when called for their part in the history and development of the Decker School including: Mary Pillipech, first former dean of the Decker School; Josephine LaLima, one of DSON's first faculty members; Connie G. Bareford '73, member of the first graduating class; Mary Ann Swain, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs; E. Kay Boland BS '79, FNP '81, MS '82, vice president of patient care services, United Health Services; and Linda Miller, senior vice president of nursing, Lourdes Hospital.

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