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UT Tyler Nursing Students Recognized at Annual State Association Conference

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March 21, 2016

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

Nursing students from the Longview University Center and Palestine Campus were recognized at the 68th Annual Texas Nursing Students' Association Conference, Dr. Yong Tai Wang, The University of Texas at Tyler College of Nursing and Health Sciences dean, announced.

In keeping with the professional rigor and expectations of advocacy, students presented as a voting delegation during the House of Delegates. The group received the "Political Involvement Award" for work related to the burden of and access to mental health care. Students, with the support of faculty adviser Rebecca Carrasco, interviewed Gregg County Judge Bill Stout.

"The interview, along with a preliminary literature review, has provided these students with a call to action by illuminating the issues of mental health care access in the state," said faculty adviser Anita Lowe. "This call to action will inspire the resolution to be written for the 69th annual convention next year and was justification for the award."

Delegation members included Palestine Campus chapter president Dixie Rose of Palestine; and Longview students Latoya Allen, LUC chapter president-elect; Susan McKeever, LUC chapter vice president; Elba Garcia, LUC secretary-treasurer; as well as Ryan Hagan, Sara Coots, Josh Wheeler, Ashley Carter, Kelsey Crawford and Taylor Dotson. Faculty advisers who accompanied the delegation were clinical instructors Carrasco and Lowe.

"Although not in attendance, LUC chapter president Jessica Diffey of Longview was a significant contributor to the delegation's success," Lowe said. "We all look forward to continued successful student representation in the coming year."

In addition, Dotson was elected TNSA president for the 2016-17 year. He, along with Rose and other Palestine Campus students Leigh Riggins of Jacksonville and Jessica Shipper and Hillarie Garcia, both of Palestine, will represent UT Tyler at the NSNA Conference March 30 – April 2 in Orlando. Palestine clinical instructor Dr. Kara Jones will accompany them.

During the conference, the delegation also presented, spoke to the evidence in support of and advocated for the adoption of two resolutions they had authored and submitted for consideration. The resolutions are instruments of change for the nursing profession at large, schools of nursing in the state of Texas – and if passed, are motioned forward for support to the National Student Nurses Association, according to Lowe.

The first resolution was in support of U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations and standards related to electronic cigarettes, which currently are unregulated.

"The resolution asks for support from the Texas Nurses Association, the American Nurses Association and other pertinent political and governmental organizations to encourage action from the FDA for standards and/or regulations," Lowe said.

The resolution was passed, adopted and has been set into action.

The second resolution sought the inclusion of tele-health medical nursing in the curriculum of Texas schools of nursing. The resolution was defeated in the House by the voting delegation in a vote separated by only 15 votes.

For more information, contact Lowe, 903.663.8234 or alowe@uttyler.edu.

One of the 14 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 8,500 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.