Everything Nac

Stephen F. Austin State University’s School of Human Sciences and the DeWitt School of Nursing completed a nutrition simulation for dietetics students using a case study for Type 1 diabetes.

The simulation, delayed for two years due to COVID-19, was the first of its kind, with third-semester nursing students role-playing as patients and dietetics students role-playing as professionals in a clinical setting.

“This mimics what they’ll see in a hospital setting,” said Justin Pelham, clinical instructor for food, nutrition and dietetics in the School of Human Sciences. “What does a dietitian do in a clinical setting? Can they handle a case study and apply it? I wanted to bring the lab experience to this class.”

The simulation provided hands-on experience for both dietetics students looking to finish their degrees and nursing students wanting to learn more about the patient’s perspective.

Each dietetics student had a 20-minute interval to talk with their patient and then prepare an initial nutrition assessment consisting of assessment, diagnosis, intervention and plan for monitoring and evaluation at a follow-up. Pelham coordinated the event and served as preceptor for his 16 participating students.

During the simulation, a student would sit or stand at bedside with a patient and ask questions from a chart. While some questions were about routine things — age, weight, employment and food history — the student was able to get enough information to pinpoint an important issue, like the necessity for a patient with diabetes to replace the food or beverages they like most if they want their health to improve.

Simulations took place March 29 and 30 at a mock ICU lab at the DeWitt School of Nursing Complex. Due to a partnership with Tarleton State University, some simulations were conducted via Zoom.

The Texas Association of Museums recently awarded the Stone Fort Museum the Mitchell A. Wilder Silver Publication Design Award for a poster created by Ajani Brown, senior art education major and Stone Fort Museum assistant. The poster was created to market the museum’s event, “Esperanza’s Night Out at the Stone Fort Museum.”

“I take immense pride as a staff member in representing the museum at the state level,” Brown said. “I was absolutely ecstatic hearing my design could win the museum this award. It felt amazing to know that the work I put into graphic design and illustration classes at SFA has paid off. I also felt a huge sense of pride in my family knowing they were my greatest support.”

The award recognizes and promotes the highest standards of graphic design and media production in museum publications, including invitations, newsletters, brochures, books, catalogues and posters, among other marketing and supplementary materials. The award is named in honor of one of the early advocates in museum publications, Mitchell A. Wilder, founding director of the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth.

“The award was established to recognize excellence in museum publications, and the recognition of Ajani’s work goes hand-in-hand with the museum’s goal to provide SFA students with transformational learning opportunities,” said Carolyn Spears, Stone Fort Museum director.

Brown drew inspiration from Sandra Cisneros’ novel, “A House on Mango Street,” which was the basis of the event. The heroine and narrator, Esperanza Cordero, is depicted in the poster in a pose similar to the Statue of Liberty, and is holding a book in place of a torch to illustrate how she used writing to empower those like her and needed a light to clear their path.

“Esperanza’s Night Out at the Stone Fort Museum” was held in collaboration with the Nacogdoches Public Library’s Big Read grant in October. The event included a variety of activities including a poetry slam featuring guest poet, Qui Quarre, of Nairobi, Kenya.

By Nathan Wicker, marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.