Department of Nursing Education

MEMORY WALK 2011

Why Shepherd Nursing students walk? Walk to End Alzheimer's is the Alzlheimer's Association largest fundraising and awareness event. Thousands of Walks are held across the country each year, including 12 here in West Virginia, to support the vital programs and services the Alzheimer's Associaiton provides for families and caregivers facing Alzheimer's disease, as well as necessary research to find a cure. Please join us on our next walk September 24, 2011 at War Memorial Park in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Registration 9 am. Walk 10 am. Contact Pam Shriver at pam.shriver@alz.org or 304.599.1159

Nursing Students and Faculty Volunteer at Martinsburg Free Clinic

It's a wake-up call for some nursing students on the brink of entering the workforce. Each month, a group of Shepherd nursing students volunteers at the Trinity 6:34 Free Medical Clinic helping residents of Martinsburg who could otherwise not afford health care.

Christy Custer, senior nursing major from Inwood, and Evie Vitanza, senior nursing major from Shepherdstown, said that the experience has been rewarding. Custer said that she feels a personal and ethical obligation to volunteer at the clinic.

Freedom Run

Many Shepherd students showed their support for health and heritage by participating in the Freedom's Run on Oct 3rd. The event was created to build awareness of the fight against obesity, encourage outdoor activitiy, and celebrate local history.

With about 1,700 participants representing 37 different states, the event exceeded the expected turnout. Participants varied in ages and past running experience. Junior nursing major, Pamela Caruso, had never previously run in an event before the Freedom's Run. "I signed up basically blind. I had no idea where I was running (or) who was running," she said. Caruso enjoyed running the event with her roommate because she met so many interesting people on the course. Caruso said, "Having others that don't even know you cheer for you as you come into the finish line is probably the best feeling I've felt in a while."