In honor of Founders Day , the WLU Foundation offered donors who gave a minimum of $ 185 a special gift of a logo lapel pin to show appreciation for support on Topper Day of Giving .
WLU includes four colleges offering more than 80 programs for undergraduate students and 11 master ’ s degree programs . Offering an inclusive , student-centered community , WLU seeks to cultivate scholarly exploration , experiential learning , creative expression and global citizenship .
Considered the first public university in the state , WLU ’ s inaugural class of 65 students met in the home of the Reverend Nathan Shotwell in 1838 , the first principal of the new school . Current enrollment includes more than 2,300 students .
Principals led the academy until 1918 , when John Shaw became the officially named first president . President Evans is the 37th president .
West Virginia 211 Announces New State Director
April Knight .
The board of directors of West Virginia 211 , the state ’ s official information and referral hot line , has chosen April Knight to become the first fulltime state director .
Knight comes to United Way from TEAM for West Virginia Children , where she worked as the senior family resource specialist for the past 10 years . She holds a bachelor ’ s degree in finance from Marshall University .
“ We ’ re so excited to announce April as our first full-time state director ,” says Margaret O ’ Neal , board of directors president . “ We are so fortunate to have the right candidate with the skills and heart to move our organization forward .”
West Virginia 211 remains the trusted source for answers and is staffed with the most up-to-date and accurate resources to help those in need . Last year , the hotline helped over 30,000 West Virginians looking for assistance .
Emergency Department Nurse Recognized at Mon Health Medical Center
Samantha Lyons .
Samantha Lyons , RN , of Mon Health Medical Center , was recently honored with The DAISY Award For Extraordinary Nurses . Awarded to nurses quarterly at Mon Health Medical Center , The DAISY Award is part of The DAISY Foundation ’ s programs to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day .
The nomination submitted from one of Lyons ’ patients read : “ I brought my 77-year-old father to the emergency department . He was clearly struggling and needed intense , supportive care . Samantha was the most caring nurse I ’ ve encountered in my life . She cared for my dad in such a way that he was not only getting the medical care but also the compassion he needed . He was at his worst , and she cared for him with dignity and such kindness , patiently explaining even the most urgent procedure to him . But that ’ s not all ; as my mother and I struggled to accept the severity of his situation , she comforted us and cared for us as much as for my dad . On what seemed like the worst day of our lives , she was so kind and loving toward all three of us . She offered so much of her heart to us to ease our pain . I don ’ t wish our situation on any family , but if someone must go through it , I want them all to have a nurse like Samantha .”
The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen , CA , and
was established by family members in memory of Patrick Barnes . Barnes died at the age of 33 in 1999 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura , a little known but not uncommon autoimmune disease . The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families .
“ When Patrick was critically ill , our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night ,” says Bonnie Barnes , FAAN , CEO and co-founder of The DAISY Foundation . “ Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do . The kind of work the nurses at Mon Health Medical Center are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award .”
Lyons is a registered nurse in the emergency department and has worked for Mon Health Medical Center since 2016 .
“ Our emergency department staff put their heart and soul into what they do regardless of the circumstance , and we are fortunate to have nurses like Samantha . She is an incredible representation of our team and is extremely deserving of this prestigious international nursing award ,” says Krystal Atkinson , chief nursing executive at Mon Health System .
Nurses can be nominated by anyone who has been affected by their care — patients , family members , other nurses , physicians , other clinicians and staff — anyone who has experienced or observed extraordinary , compassionate care being provided by a nurse .
Armstrong Named President of WVU Innovation Corporation
Officials from West Virginia University ( WVU ) and the WVU Health System , commonly branded as WVU Medicine , announced Stacey Armstrong has been named the president of the WVU Innovation Corporation .
“ Stacey has a proven track record as an impactful and successful leader , and that is why I believe she is the perfect fit for this role ,” says Albert Wright Jr ., president and CEO of the WVU
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