UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Join the Penn State College of Nursing Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence (CGNE) in celebrating the eighth annual Alumni & Friends Spring Brunch event from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST April 8. The event provides the opportunity for attendees to meet the CGNE team, gerontological faculty, affiliated students, and collaborative partners. Attendees will also learn more about the center’s recent accomplishments regarding education, research, and translation of best practice and services, hear remarks from Dean Laurie Badzek, and acknowledgements of the center’s donors, sponsors, and collaborating partners, as well as the Community and Student Champion awards.
Keynote speaker, Kathy Greenlee, will be presenting “National Perspectives on Health & Aging." focusing on how COVID-19 has cast a spotlight on the adverse health impacts of social isolation and loneliness, long-standing challenges in nursing home care, the consequences of a historically underfunded public health system, and where to go from here.
Greenlee has extensive leadership at both national and state levels to improve government programs that address aging, disability, elder abuse, health care, and community service innovation. She served for seven years as assistant secretary for aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and 18 years in Kansas state government, including her final position as Kansas state secretary on aging. Currently, Greenlee is the CEO of Greenlee Global LLC, which offers independent consulting services in the health and human services space.
The Spring Brunch event will also feature expert nursing faculty researchers, Andrea Yevchak-Sillner and Erica Husser, spotlighting the relevant research topics they lead, followed by a question-and-answer session.
The event is free and open to the public. Registration for the event is required.
Registered nurses can earn 1.0 continuing nursing education unit.
Additional information and how to register for the CGNE Alumni & Friends Spring Brunch can be found here.
Keynote presentation information:
"Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults"
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine issued a report documenting the negative health consequences of social isolation and loneliness. Subsequently, driven by the pandemic, social isolation has become a public health practice.
"Nursing Home Reform"
Much has been documented about the shortcomings and challenges surrounding nursing home care. Inadequate infection control was commonly cited by nursing home surveyors, and staff turnover and low wages being major problems. Because of the impact of the pandemic on nursing home residents, staff and families, there is increased national attention to the future of nursing home care and much-needed reform.
"Public Health Matters"
Little attention has been paid to investment in the public health workforce and infrastructure, as federal and state investments in public health have been decimated. The importance of public health is apparent, so in the coming years there will increased attention to funding and staffing the public health system.