Bronson School of Nursing wins service awardJune 23, 2008 KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University's Bronson School of Nursing was recognized for its service to students and the community at an awards luncheon June 20 at the Kalamazoo Public Library. The nursing school was presented with a Kalamazoo Communities in Schools 2008 Champ Award, recognizing it for its partnership with the organization, its collaborative spirit and providing quality service to students. The community collaboration with KCIS has been active since 2004 and is carried out by nursing students in their junior year as part of their pediatric rotation. The students present activities related to health promotion, disease prevention and minor illness management over a five-week period in local elementary schools. In some cases, they request and receive grants to fund materials and other aspects of the activities they provide. Nursing school practice faculty Sally Vliem and Wendy Kershner are the primary supervisors of the program. "It's an honor to be given this award," Vliem says. "It's gratifying to know we make a difference in the lives of these children." Dr. Marie Gates, former nursing school director, and Kershner represented the school at the awards luncheon. Media contact: Mark Schwerin, (269) 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu WMU News |