USF’s Connolly earns national honor
University
of St. Francis dean Maria Connolly has been inducted
as a fellow to the American College of Critical
Care Medicine, and was one of 21 persons to receive
this national honor in 2003.
The
prestigious designation of Fellow of the American
College of Critical Care Medicine (FCCM) honors
practitioners, researchers, administrators and
educators who have made outstanding contributions
to the field of critical care, according to the
organization. The college is comprised of more
than 700 nurses, pharmacists, physicians, respiratory
therapists and other allied health professionals
throughout the nation who are experts in their
field.
Connolly
was appointed dean of the University of St. Francis’
Saint Joseph College of Nursing and Allied Health
last July. Before coming to USF, Connolly served
as an associate professor with Loyola University
Chicago, Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing and
was chairperson of the Department of Surgical
Nursing.
A
certified critical care nurse, Connolly is an
elected member of the American Association of
Critical Care Nurses (AACN) National Board of
Directors. She has written articles and chapters
for numerous peer-reviewed publications and books,
as well as conducted funded research in the care
of mechanically ventilated patients in intensive
care units, which is her area scholarship specialty.
Connolly
has also lectured throughout the country and internationally,
including at the International Critical Care Conference
last spring in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
A
graduate of USF’s Bachelor of Science in
Health Arts program, Connolly holds a doctorate
of nursing science from Rush University, specializing
in respiratory/critical care nursing as well as
a bachelor of science and master’s degree
in nursing from Governors State University specializing
in restorative nursing. She also completed the
University of Wisconsin-Madison Certification
Program in Distance Education.
She
is the recipient of numerous awards and honors
including the National League for Nursing/Illinois
League for Nursing Faculty Excellence in Teaching
Award.
Connolly is an Oak Forest resident.
The
College of Nursing, which has educated three generations
of nurses, offers the bachelor of science in nursing
courses for full-time and part-time students.
For RNs with an A.D.N. or diploma, the BSN Fast
Track option is available at USF’s Joliet
campus as well as at several off-campus locations,
or students may complete the program online. The
B.S.N. program provides a hands-on learning environment
that addresses the many areas of health care—hospitals,
home health, managed care, primary care clinics,
public health, hospice care, long-term care (nursing
homes) and mental health. USF has relationships
with more than 100 health care organizations that
provide clinical experiences to student nurses.
The
university also offers undergraduate allied health
programs in Nuclear Medicine, Medical Technology,
Radiation Therapy and Radiography.
The
university’s Master of Science in Nursing
program has two tracks of study—nurse practitioner
and clinical nurse specialist—that focus
on adult health. The nurse practitioner provides
primary health care in the community setting,
and inpatient facilities, while the clinical nurse
specialist leads in improving care through education
and consultation as well as serves as a role model
for professional practice. The MSN program is
offered onsite as well as online.
A
master’s degree program in Physician Assistant
Studies, offered at the university’s Albuquerque,
N.M. location, also falls under the auspices of
the College of Nursing. Physician assistants provide
patient services in collaboration with a physician.
A
national leader in providing educational opportunities
to health care professionals, USF offers the Health
Arts bachelor of science degree completion program
for health professionals and the master of science
degree program in Health Services Administration
at sites nationwide and online.
A Catholic, Franciscan institution, the University of St. Francis serves more than 4,300 students nationwide, including 1,800 students at its main campus in Joliet, Ill.