DR . JULIA GIST , DEAN OF HEALTH SCIENCES AT ASUMH , is an educator who is known for her belief in using innovative methods to enhance learning . Under her direction , ASUMH recently expanded its health sciences building , Gotaas Hall , to include a state-of-the-art simulation center .
SCHOOL OF
HEALTH SCIENCES
DR . JULIA GIST , DEAN OF HEALTH SCIENCES AT ASUMH , is an educator who is known for her belief in using innovative methods to enhance learning . Under her direction , ASUMH recently expanded its health sciences building , Gotaas Hall , to include a state-of-the-art simulation center .
“ Education has changed so much from the days when I was in nursing school . The influence of technology and the resources on our campus are incredible . Classes are interactive and use all forms of media . Students study and practice on equipment just like they will use in the hospital setting . They even have the opportunity to test in all of their health sciences classes just like they will be testing when they take licensure exams . This reduces test anxiety for them , which is huge .”
Julia says that the atmosphere students find today at schools like ASUMH is much more supportive . “ Everyone at ASU-Mountain Home is dedicated to the success of our students . When I was in school , if you failed , you failed . Here , everyone is working to be sure students have what they need to succeed and everyone is thrilled when students reach an educational goal .”
Lucy Haun , one of Julia ’ s former nursing students , remembers the impression Julia made on her when she was a young , single mother attending classes to become an RN . “ I always knew I wanted to be a nurse ,” said Lucy . “ Julia was such a good role model for me and is still my mentor .” Lucy now works alongside Julia at ASUMH as an instructor in the Practical Nursing program . “ Even today she encourages me . I ’ m going back to school to get my master ’ s degree with her encouragement .”
Lucy agrees that Julia is right where she needs to be . “ She has the background and experience to move our program forward . She is extremely student-oriented
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“ Everyone at ASU-Mountain Home is dedicated to the success of our students .”
and has always got what ’ s best for students at the forefront of the decisions she makes . I knew that once as a student of hers myself , and I know it today as I work side by side with her in the nursing program at ASUMH .”
That commitment to student success was clear as Lucy and Julia watched an LPN class walk across the stage and receive their diplomas and nursing pins recently . There were tears , hugs and congratulations for every single student in the graduating class . “ Under Julia ’ s leadership , our students know without a doubt that we want them to succeed .”
Julia serves on the Education Committee of the Arkansas State Board of Nursing , the Mountain Home Education Foundation Board , the Advisory Board of Good Samaritan Society of Mountain Home , and the Mountain Home Career Academies CTE Advisory Board where she also serves as a mentor . Julia has a passion for educating women about domestic violence and educating nurses about the signs of abuse . She is the author or co-author of over a dozen journal articles on sexual assault against women and the associated dangers to victims : substance abuse , consequences in the workplace , behavioral problems in their children , effects of protection orders and even suicide .
In November 2017 , ASUMH was awarded a grant of $ 63,296 from the Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas to provide funding for the SimMom Comes to ASUMH program . This program will provide enhanced learning opportunities for obstetrical education for ASUMH nursing and EMS students . The funding will provide for the purchase of SimMom , an advanced , full-body birthing simulator with accurate anatomy and functionality , to facilitate obstetric training of birth management .