MERVYN M . DYMALLY COLLEGE OF NURSING
CDU Successfully Demonstrates ShakeOut Drill for Earthquake Preparedness
School of Nursing Participates in California Nurse Practitioners ’ 44th Annual Educational Conference
The ShakeOut earthquake drill took place on October 2021 across California and CDU used it as a teaching and learning opportunity .
The University hosted a press conference for the California Governor ’ s Office of Emergency Services ( CAL OES ) and performed a range of simulations to prepare our students to render aid in a real emergency .
CDU students , faculty , and staff participated in the demonstration for a crowd that included representatives from local , state and federal partners . Practically all of the local television channels were on hand to cover the event , with coverage turning up on news broadcasts in real time and across the day .
The press conference also highlighted the state ’ s Earthquake Warning California campaign and the MyShake app in recognition of International ShakeOut day .
The press conference was halted at 10:21am , the moment of the ShakeOut drill , as alarms sounded while students and staff demonstrated the Drop , Cover , and Hold On strategy , then evacuated to the meeting points across the campus .
CDU went the extra step of simulating injuries and setting up an impromptu emergency area in front of the Cobb building for the wounded while the CDU Simulation Center also sprang into action to treat “ casualties ” from the event .
“ CDU ’ s commitment to the health of the community includes earthquake preparedness . This means participating today in the Great California ShakeOut ,” stated Delia Santana , acting Dean of Charles R . Drew University of Medicine and Science , who spoke as part of the press conference .
More than 24 million people around the world participated in International ShakeOut Day . California ’ s earthquake warning system , Earthquake Warning California , uses smartphone applications and Wireless Emergency Alerts ( WEA ), to provide individuals with an earthquake warning as soon as shaking is detected by ground motion monitoring .
The Mervyn M . Dymally School of Nursing ’ s Family Nurse Practitioner ( FNP ) and Psychiatry Mental Health Nurse Practitioner ( PMHNP ) Programs participated in the California Nurse Practitioners ’ ( CANP ) 44th Annual Educational Conference in 2022 .
The conference , which was held in the Pasadena Convention Center from March 31 through April 4 , allowed CDU programs to engage with prospective students and introduce them to the CDU experience . This year ’ s keynote speaker was Katie Duke , board-certified acute care nurse practitioner and TV personality . Each year , CANP ’ s Annual Conference brings together nurse practitioners and health care leaders from across the state to collaborate , educate and advocate .
“ I thoroughly enjoyed the conference because I was able to work at the CDU Exhibit table sharing information about our wonderful nursing programs ,” said Trish Williams-Forde , PMHNP Program Director . “ I was able to eat lunch with many interested family nurse practitioners who were interested in obtaining their Psych NP or DNP . I also learned a lot from the sessions that I attended .”
CDU was on hand to represent the University at this important event that provided an opportunity to interact with prospective and former students as well as current and potential partners across the fields of nursing and healthcare . CDU ’ s presence included a booth and attendance by Interim Dean Ma Recanita Jhocson , FNP Program Director Emilyn Lao , PMHNP Director Trish Williams-Forde , and Executive Assistant to the Dean Adrienne Thompson among others .
CANP provides a forum and unifying voice for more than 30,000 nurse practitioners statewide , often joining forces with other state and national organizations , to advance the profession and bridge health care needs . They work to protect and expand the critical roles filled by Nurse Practitioners as the only association solely dedicated to advocating for nurse practitioners in California .
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