by Kimberly Lewis


Anne Peach, center, of Orlando Health presented recent UCF nursing
grads with scholarships. The recipients are Chelsea Bramley, left,
Krista Marie Jensen, Maureen Woodman and Juliana Borges.

Nursing research at the University of Central Florida received a financial boost with a $250,000 grant from Orlando Health.

The gift supports UCF's College of Nursing and funds three initiatives: the Orlando Health Distinguished Professor in Nursing, student scholarships to prepare and inspire future nursing research scientists, and a nursing research symposium showcasing current trends and evidence-based practices in nursing.

Mary Lou Sole, a UCF nursing professor, was named the Orlando Health Distinguished Professor in Nursing for her work as an internationally recognized acute and critical care researcher. She will coordinate the first nursing research symposium in 2011. An event honoring Sole will be held in the fall. Funds for the professorship also will be used to support her ongoing research efforts.

"This generous gift will support the development of nursing research which will have a direct impact on quality patient care," said Jean Leuner, dean of UCF's College of Nursing. "It also will inspire students to pursue research opportunities through the UCF honors program as they launch their commitment to become nursing leaders."

"With more than 30 percent of Orlando Health's 14,000-member workforce comprised of nurses, this investment in UCF's College of Nursing is an investment in our organization's future," said Sherrie Sitarik, executive vice president and incoming CEO of Orlando Health. Sitarik is a former nurse, as are several other Orlando Health executives.

Sole, who has worked at UCF since 1991, has focused her research on clinical practices related to airway management, breathing and circulation. She is now researching ways to prevent pneumonia caused by mechanical ventilation treatment.

In 2008, Sole was named a Pegasus Professor, UCF's top faculty honor. She is a fellow in both the American Academy of Nursing and the American College of Critical Care Medicine. Sole earned her doctorate at the University of Texas, which recently named her a 2010 Distinguished Alumna. Her text, Introduction to Critical Care Nursing (5th edition) by Sole, Klein and Moseley, was named the 2010 American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year.

Four recent UCF nursing graduates each received scholarships as part of the Orlando Health gift. All four graduated May 7 and completed theses as part of UCF's Honors in the Major program.

Maureen Woodman, of Orlando, graduated summa cum laude. She hopes to work on a progressive care unit or a psychiatric unit and will pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice at UCF in the fall. Her research explored women's fertility awareness and how it plays a part in family planning. She won a UCF award for excellence in undergraduate research.

"I am truly honored that Orlando Health chose me as a scholarship recipient," Woodman said. "It is empowering to realize that someone appreciates that hard work I've put into my academic career, and it gives me a great deal of motivation to continue doing well in graduate school."

Juliana Borges, of Orlando, graduated magna cum laude. She hopes to work in a pediatric unit and earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Her undergraduate research focused on how nurses can decrease pre-term infants' respiratory problems during bottle feedings.

Chelsea Bramley, of Orlando, graduated summa cum laude and begins her nursing career with Orlando Health today in the intensive care unit of South Lake Hospital in Clermont. Her undergraduate research explored methods to improve quality of life for child cancer patients during invasive procedures.

Krista Marie Jensen, of Orlando, graduated summa cum laude. She plans to practice nursing in Orlando before continuing her education. Her undergraduate research focused on the psychological and physiological problems associated with bed rest for women with high-risk pregnancies.

UCF and Orlando Health have a long-standing relationship. Up to 120 nursing students perform clinical rotations at Orlando Health facilities each semester. Since 1978, Orlando Health has given more than $1.9 million to UCF to support research and education, including scholarships for the College of Medicine's charter class and a $120,000 donation in April to support the College of Medicine's second class of students.