By Kristen SimpsonShe’s a nurse, an educator and a retired United States Air Force Reserve colonel. She’s a philanthropist, a patron of music and a constant volunteer. She supports her extended family and is a shepherd to others. She’s intense, passionate and curious.She’s retired Col. Maidana K. Nunn (’57), DNSc, USAF Reserve. She’s traveled to almost every country and operates with four main passions: faith, her country, children, and animals.“I was just curious,” Nunn said. “These...
By Cindy O'DonnellNursing student Alyssa Zuegel tours Georgia College's new Mobile Health Unit. (Video: Stacey Lumley)As rural clinics and hospitals nationwide are closing their doors, Georgia College & State University proudly unveiled its new Mobile Health Unit Oct. 22, 2024 — a free screening center on wheels — that will address rural healthcare needs in Central Georgia and train students in preventive care.During a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the Russell Auditorium lawn, the customized...
By Margaret SchellSpending two months in Madagascar this past summer opened a new world of opportunity for a career in natural healing for Kara Drake. The senior public health major participated in a School for International Training program. SIT provides honors-level programs in non-traditional locations across the globe. Drake has been to other continents and felt Madagascar was the perfect choice for her study abroad. “It was such a rare opportunity,” she said. “It...
By: University Communications Intern, Sicilia ReedBree Straight walked away from graduation this spring confident in her future. She was going to intern with Twin Lakes Physical Therapy, a Milledgeville-based physical therapy office that offers care like massage, pre- and post-operation care, sports rehabilitation and more. “I get to hear what PTs and OTs are saying, but also get a formal relationship with clients and see their experience and their walk,” Straight said. “It's been...
Senior public health major and sociology minor Blakely Queen knows the rewarding feeling that comes from volunteering and working for the public good. She’s a public health community engagement intern this summer at Camp Kudzu, which serves children and teens with Type 1 Diabetes. Queen learned about the camp from two close friends who attended as kids. During her senior seminar class in fall 2023, she spotted Camp Kudzu as Georgia College & State University’s approved work site. “When...
Three faculty at Georgia College & State University have created the Order of the White Rose chapter for the Georgia Nurse Honor Guard, which now spans the width of Georgia.Assistant Professors of nursing Dr. Amy Malcom, Dr. Joyce Norris-Taylor and Dr. Catherine Fowler co-founded the chapter to expand free funeral and tribute services to 14 rural counties in Georgia. A new program, the Georgia Nurse Honor Guard was established in January 2024 to provide funeral services to nurses,...
Retired registered nurse Anresa Davis of Savannah gave a keynote commencement address at her alma mater, Georgia College & State University.Her message to students graduating from the university’s College of Health Sciences was simple: to identify their unique strengths, always be prepared to care for those who cannot care for themselves and go forward “brilliant and kind.”Davis served more than 20 years as a nurse in surgical intensive care units and emergency rooms in Georgia. Then...
Dr. Avis Simon, commander in the Nurse Corps at the Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command at Camp Lejeune, wants to help individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. She already has a plan in place designed to identify it early in military members and veterans. Recently, she successfully defended her Doctor of Nursing Practitioner project at Georgia College & State University titled "Effectiveness of an Educational Intervention on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder...
Q: What attracted you to Georgia College & State University? A: I came here because my best friend, Jesus Villamizar, who I've known since I was four years old, came to Georgia College because of a tennis scholarship. He told me to try it. He invited me to come here and visit him. I talked with Susie Ramage of the International Education Center and got scheduled for a campus tour. And I just took a chance, applied and got in. Georgia College is a very nice university. I really enjoyed...
Q&A with Class of 2024 Graduate Macy Sheley, Exercise Science with minor in Public Health from Savannah, Georgiaby GCSU junior Kathryn PriceQ: Why did you choose exercise science as your major? A: I always knew throughout college and into my future career I wanted to work in athletics as someone with a major passion for exercise. My main intent is to help athletes themselves be able to perform better. I found out about Georgia College’s exercise science program through my sister, who...
