“I am passionate about continuing education and advocating
for policies that help general dentists provide the best care for
their patients,” says Cassis. “I believe continuing education
to be the source of my successful career in dentistry. I want to
ensure all general dentists, especially those entering the field,
have access to the resources they need.”
Cassis is a graduate of the West Virginia University School of
Dentistry. He continues to practice general dentistry and hospital
dentistry full time in Fayetteville, WV. He has served as chair of
the AGD Membership Council for the last two years, and he is
active in dental education and organizational dentistry, serving
as a member of several professional dental organizations, includ-
ing the American Dental Association, the West Virginia Dental
Association and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
The AGD is a professional association of more than 40,000
general dentists dedicated to providing quality dental care and
oral health education to the public. Founded in 1952, AGD
is the largest association for general dentists in the world and
serves the needs and represents the interests of general dentists.
“We’re very pleased to be able to offer the BSN to our students
here on campus,” says D&E Vice President for Academic
Affairs Dr. Rob Phillips. “Dr. Threasia Witt and the nursing
faculty have built successful associates and RN to BSN programs.
We believe the addition of an on-campus BSN program will be
attractive to students and will allow Davis & Elkins College to
better meet the health care needs of the region and beyond.”
The traditional BSN curriculum will incorporate some courses
from the associate degree program and some courses from the
degree completion program. These, along with the general
education courses required for the 124 credit hours to fulfill
the bachelor’s degree, will complete the curriculum.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ employment pro-
jections for 2014-2024, RN is listed among one of the highest
in job growth through 2024. Specifically, the RN workforce
is expected to grow from 2.7 million in 2014 to 3.2 million in
2024, an increase of 439,300 or 16 percent.
“With an average vacancy rate of 10 RNs in area health
care agencies, it is important for the region that we provide as
many qualified nurses as possible,” says Dr. Threasia Witt, a
D&E professor of nursing and chair of the division of nursing.
“While 100 percent of our associate degree graduates are
employed within six months of graduation and many are em-
ployed immediately upon graduation, some hospitals are in-
creasing the number of baccalaureate-prepared nurses hired
and give these graduates priority.”
D&E works with area hospitals to provide clinical experi-
ence for nursing students. The college entered a partnership
with Davis Medical Center (DMC) in 2017 to establish The
Davis & Elkins College to Begin
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
In response to the growing national need for health care
providers, Davis & Elkins College (D&E) will begin offering a
four-year Bachelor of Science program in nursing (BSN) in fall
2019. Currently, D&E offers an associate of science in nursing
program and an online registered nursing (RN) to BSN degree
completion program. Both will continue with the addition of
the new Bachelor of Science program.
THERE’S ROOM TO GROW AT
NEW HOPE BUSINESS CENTER
Located just outside of the Charleston city limits, New
Hope Business Center offers Class-A, customizable
office space for any business to thrive. Amenities include:
Ample on-site parking
9 suites/15,000 total square feet
Built-in utilities
Usage of conference room and kitchen
Electronic key fobs for 24/7 accessibility
Weekly janitorial services
On-site building manager for maintenance
questions or concerns
• Quick access to the community of Sissonville
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447 Call Road, Charleston, WV 25312
Sissonville
(304) 984-0071
www.newhopebusinesscenter.com
WWW.WVEXECUTIVE.COM
WINTER 2019
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