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Titzer ’13 receives award for advancing nursing practice

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USI alumna Dr. Jennifer Titzer is the 2013 winner of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Excellence in Advancing Nursing Practice Award for an outstanding capstone from a student in a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.

Titzer graduated with the DNP from USI in 2013.  In her capstone project, titled Nurse Manager Succession Planning: Strengthening Health Systems for the Future, Titzer developed and implemented a model for strategic succession planning for the chief nursing officer in a large hospital system.

Titzer was nominated for the award by Dr. Maria Shirey, her faculty mentor and a former USI associate professor of nursing.

Dr. Sheila Hauck of St. Mary’s Medical Center helped Titzer implement the program at St. Mary’s. Hauck was a member of USI’s first graduating class in the master’s-level nursing program, when she completed a post-master’s certificate in the family nurse practitioner track. In 2011, she was among the first graduates of USI’s DNP program.

Read more about the project on the AACN website.

Titzer also was recently accepted as a participant in the Nurse Faculty Leadership Academy (NFLA) developed by Sigma Theta Tau International honor society of nursing in partnership with the Elsevier Foundation. The objective of the NFLA is to enhance the personal leadership development of new nurse faculty in order to promote faculty retention and cultivate high performing, supportive work environments.

Dementia: More Than Just Alzheimer’s

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Dr. Arnold

By

Roy M. Arnold MD

As the population ages, the number of persons living with dementia is increasing. This column will discuss the most common causes of dementia, how they are manifested and how they may be delayed or prevented. First, what is dementia? Dementia is the acquired and persistent manifestation of brain function affecting recent memory, decision-making, and expressive speech sufficient to impair daily functioning. It may initially express itself as misplacing things, forgetting conversations or repeating questions. Speech may be impaired by not being able to find the right words for an action or object. Decision-making impairment may be manifested by forgetting to pay bills or disorganization.

The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease which is characterized by accumulation of amyloid plaques and a tangling of nerve fibers in the brain. It accounts for 60-80% of all dementia and is the fifth most common cause of death in the US. The second most common cause of dementia is Vascular Dementia which accounts for 10-20% of cases. It is caused by recurrent tiny vascular occlusions throughout the brain causing mini-strokes. When the damage becomes widespread, dementia can result. The remaining 10-20% of cases are caused by a variety of conditions such as Lewy body disease, frontotemporal dementia, alcoholism, Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease and normal pressure hydrocephalus. Rarely infections or nutritional deficiencies may cause dementia. Fewer than 2% of cases of dementia are due to a correctable cause such as infection, normal pressure hydrocephalus, nutritional deficiency or depression.

Dementia is rare prior to age 50, occurs in about 2% of those aged 60-69, but increases to 20-25% in those aged 80-89. The sex distribution is equal in males and females, however in absolute numbers more women are afflicted because women tend to live longer.

Dementia is usually diagnosed by clinical examination and by history. Special testing such as neuropsychologic testing or brain imaging is often performed. Unfortunately, treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia is limited. Only 2 categories of drugs have been studied in treating Alzheimer’s dementia. First are cholinesterase inhibitors such as Aricept, Exelon and Razadyne. Multiple studies have shown that these drugs can delay the progression of mild cognitive impairment 12-24 months. In the long run however they do not have an effect on overall cognitive decline, disability or death. The second class is NMDA inhibitors of which only one, Namenda is approved in the US. This drug works through a different neural pathway and can improve short term memory function, and decision-making temporarily. It’s effects are not long-lasting and are similar to the cholinesterase inhibitors. Neither of these categories of drugs have been thoroughly studied in other types of dementia, although they are commonly used off-label for those disorders. Several studies have shown promising results using anti-oxidants such as Vitamin E and beta-carotene. More studies need to be done before any firm conclusions can be drawn about the efficacy or lack thereof.

How can persons lessen their chances of developing dementia? First and foremost, the healthier one is entering the seventh decade of life (60+) the less likely one is to develop dementia. Physical conditioning through exercise has a protective effect against dementia that lasts as long as the physical conditioning continues. Being at or near Ideal Body Weight also has a protective effect.

Intellectual activities and cognitive training can stimulate brain function and delay the onset or progression of dementia. Reading educational books, magazines or online publications, brain games, learning a new skill like another language, a new pastime like knitting, cooking or gardening can improve cognitive function later in life.

Social activities like volunteer work, civic or social clubs, or even political activities can lessen cognitive decline.

Healthy diet is important in maintaining overall health, as well as building cognitive functioning. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, high in protein and with limited amounts of animal fat and alcohol can delay the progression from normal intellectual functioning to cognitive impairment. This effect may be related to the higher antioxidant content of such a diet.

In summary, get fit, stay fit, eat healthy, interact socially, and stimulate your intellect. Even if mild cognitive impairment already exists, these steps have been shown to substantially delay progression. Those of you with loved ones who are experiencing early signs of cognitive impairment, should encourage them to engage in some of these activities after consulting with their healthcare providers.

The Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) has a wealth of information on their website and a local chapter. They can be found on the web at www.alz.org/kyin

 

RECYCLE DAY

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cityofevansville
Date:2/1/2014 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location:Old Walmart west parking lot
4595 University Drive
Evansville, Indiana
ITEMS TO BRING: (Please be sure items are clean and sorted.)

Aluminum cans
Metal food cans
Cardboard
Catalogs/magazines
Newspaper
Mixed paper
Glass containers
#1 thru #7 plastic containers – no Styrofoam or plastic bags

Vanderburgh County Residents Only

*weather permitting*

Suspect named in “Check Into Cash” armed robbery

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 SPONSORED BY DEFENSE ATTORNEY IVAN ARNAEZ.
 DON’T GO TO COURT ALONE. CALL IVAN ARNAEZ @ 812-424-6671.

Evansville Police have identified 20 year old TIMOTHY STIFF as the man

who robbed the Check Into Cash store at 630 E. Diamond last night.
Two employees were in the store at the time of the robbery. They told

investigators that Stiff robbed them at gunpoint and fled the store.
Investigators were unable to locate Stiff last night. Anyone with

information about Stiff is asked to call 911.

 

VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

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SPONSORED BY DEFENSE ATTORNEY IVAN ARNAEZ.

 DON’T GO TO COURT ALONE. CALL IVAN ARNAEZ @ 812-424-6671.nick herman

Below is a list of felony cases that were filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday, January 30, 2014

 

Jacob Egan                          Criminal Recklessness-Class D Felony

 

For further information on the cases listed above, or any pending case, please contact Kyle Phernetton at 812.435.5688 or via e-mail at KPhernetton@vanderburghgov.org

Under Indiana law, all criminal defendants are considered to be innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

 

 

PET OF THE WEEK

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SparklerSparkler is a 9-month-old female Rex mix rabbit! She was born at the shelter, and then spent some time in foster care with an experienced volunteer until she reached an adoptable age. This means that she’s been handled a lot, and is a well-socialized bunny! She and her brother Jumping Jack have been here for months, and are ready to find their forever homes. Her adoption fee is only $30, and it includes a cardboard carrier to get her home in AND her spay! (What a great value — you can’t get a rabbit spayed/neutered for $30!)

EPD Activity Report: January 30, 2014

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EPD PATCH 2012

SPONSORED BY DEFENSE ATTORNEY IVAN ARNAEZ.
 DON’T GO TO COURT ALONE. CALL IVAN ARNAEZ @ 812-424-6671.

EPD Activity Report: January 30, 2014

IS IT TRUE January 31, 2014

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Mole
Mole

IS IT TRUE January 31, 2014

IS IT TRUE that with the temperatures back in the single digits and the wind chill factor even worse the Evansville Water and Sewer Department is back on the streets and in the yards dealing with yet another round of water main breaks?…it is a shame if the worker bees are getting any of the blame for this record setting month of water main breaks as they are simply the foot soldiers who are responsible for duct taping and bailing wire repairs of an aged decrepit water delivery system that has been neglected for decades and in some cases over a century?…while these people are doing an admirable job they have been sent by our leaders to battle a dragon with pixie sticks?…if the City of Evansville had done their job and executed a planned replacement program for the last 50 years the $500 Million water main replacement needs and the minimum $540 Million sewer upgrades would have already been done and the disruptions of service would be manageable?…repairs to the distribution of water alone including sewers will be costing the people of Evansville well over a BILLION DOLLARS in the next 20 or so years and will add perhaps as much as $1,000 per month in living expenses to the budgets of everyone caught up in this trap of negligence?

IS IT TRUE when you hear people on TV warning about how the excessive spending and borrowing of today at the federal level is like sticking it to our grandkids the people of Evansville need to take this warning seriously?…WE ARE THE GRANDCHILDREN OF PEOPLE WHO NEGLECTED TO ESTABLISH OR MAINTAIN EVEN BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE?…we are in this BILLION DOLLAR CONUNDRUM because our ancestors were too cowardly and short sighted to pay a few more dollars in taxes to correct these problems on a pay as you go basis for in some cases a full century?…we are also the children of and the peers of a delusional leadership that has broken our bank by spending nearly every dollar that could be borrowed on unnecessary extravagances?…we have collectively dug a hole for ourselves and it is time to stop digging and do something to correct the sins of the fathers so that we do not visit them on our own grandchildren?…it is time to suck it up and fix the infrastructure of Evansville whatever the cost?…to fail to do so is to condemn this fair city to a future that will look and function like Calcutta?…the fun and games have got to stop and reality must rule the decisions of our leaders?…the same goes for Washington DC?

IS IT TRUE the symptoms of a crumbling society made front page news again yesterday with the effective sting operation that local, state, and federal law enforcement has made 22 arrests of what amounted to a gang based crack cocaine distribution network?…those arrested all were young and male who by all rights should be working at entry level jobs and preparing to become responsible members of society?…the gang was also the gang in which the three arrested in downtown Evansville for a gunfight outside of Hammerhead’s hang their hats?…we wonder if this is a wake-up call to the people of Evansville?…the area where this seems to happen is nearly always the south side but it does affect us all even if we live safely in the county?…all of these things are connected?…the dilapidated housing, the dearth of job creation, the tolerance of lawlessness, and yes the smell of failed sewers all drive the anger that eventually drives young men into the brotherhood of a gang?

IS IT TRUE that the Coachella Valley Innovation Hub scored another $780,000 federal grant yesterday for furthering the efforts of the Palm Springs Accelerator Campus?…it was also learned that President Obama will be coming to Palm Springs on February 14th?…a visit is possible and the CCO will be the first to publish if that comes about?…the President has embraced the idea of innovation hubs in two recent speeches including the state of the union address?…there is an exemplary operation in Palm Springs that will welcome his visit?

Some teachers could get extra cash under bill backed by Gov. Pence

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By Paige Clarktimthumb.php-6
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS – A bill intended to attract teachers to underperforming public and charter schools passed a Senate committee Wednesday.

Senate Bill 264 – authored by Sen. Jim Banks, R-Columbia City – creates a program to provide a $10,000 annual stipend to teachers for the first two years the teacher is employed at a school meeting certain criteria. However, the Senate Education Committee stripped the funding from the bill.

“Teachers should get paid more,” said Claire Fiddian-Green, special assistant to the governor for education innovation. “They do some of the hardest work.”

The schools must have received a D or F grade two consecutive years or have a population with 50 percent of students at or below the federal free or reduced lunch guidelines.

“I’m trying to make sure that the devil is not in the details,” said Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary. “I wish there was something other than money.”

To qualify for the stipend, teachers must qualify as “effective” or “highly effective” on their teacher evaluations.

“Why aren’t the teachers already there being rewarded,” said Sally Sloan, a lobbyist for the Indiana Federation of Teachers. “If we just funded schools adequately this probably wouldn’t be a problem.”

John Barnes, director of legislative affairs for the Department of Education, said this bill focuses more on retraction instead of retention.

“We think right now that retention is the bigger issue,” Barnes said.

Fiddian-Green said Gov. Mike Pence supports the bill and is committed to finding innovative ways to support Indiana’s teachers.

But, John O’Neil, a lobbyist for the Indiana State Teacher’s Association, said the legislation is “unfair to other priorities in a non-budget year.”

An amendment passed that would remove funding of the bill until a later, to-be-determined date.

Paige Clark is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

Winter Jam’s Third Consecutive Sell Out

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fordcenter

The Winter Jam Tour Spectacular packed the Ford Center with thousands of fans on Thursday night for their third sold-out show in Evansville—and more kept coming. Fans of the popular Christian pop rock event began lining up at entrances around 10:30 a.m. for the 7 p.m. concert in hopes of watching performances by acts like Newsboys, Lecrae, Thousand Foot Krutch, Colton Dixon, Tenth Avenue North, speaker Nick Hall and more. For those that did not get seats, several of the bands rotated out to a second stage in the main lobby to play short sets for the fans there.

Eric Kilby, Winter Jam tour manager, said, “We love coming to Evansville and playing at the Ford Center. We’ve had sold-out shows here every year and turned-away crowds.” He later added, “I’ve heard all of the bands saying that the energy in the room tonight was amazing, and they don’t normally say that.”

The Ford Center continues to stay active with a wide variety of upcoming events, including Florida Georgia Line February 14, the 38th Annual World Championship Ice Racing Series February 21, Brit Floyd March 10, and Lady Antebellum April 10.

Ford Center is managed by VenuWorks of Evansville, LLC. For more information on Ford Center visit: www.thefordcenter.com www.facebook.com/fordcenterevansville www.twitter.com/thefordcenter.