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Polk to partake in nursing leadership program

Dr. Shelby Polk, assistant professor of nursing, was recently selected to participate in the 2015-16 Duke-Johnson & Johnson Nurse Leadership Program.

Dr. Shelby Polk, assistant professor of nursing, has been selected to participate in the 2015-16 Duke-Johnson & Johnson Nurse Leadership Program. The program provides advanced practice nurses with transformational leadership development to prepare them to implement change in their practice settings and within the evolving and challenging health care environment.

The program is made available through a generous contribution from Johnson & Johnson and offers an innovative and integrated learning experience designed especially for advanced practice nurses, with input from exemplary nurse leaders and guidance from specialists in the areas of leadership, self-management, organizational development, business, community engagement and population health.

Through its rich leadership and management program content, this certificate program will train the advanced practice nurse to be better able to meet the challenges of the evolving health care environment. Fellows who successfully complete the program will be equipped with the skills and competencies to lead health care teams to increased operational efficiency and improved patient outcomes.

By augmenting the fellows’ professional growth and development through a transformative learning experience, the program aims to increase the number of advanced practice nurses who:
• possess core skills and competencies to effectively lead nurse-managed health care practices
• utilize state-of-the-art tools and methodologies to catalyze change within systems of care
• act on behalf of patients to address needs within the larger health care system
• provide quality care that is efficient and effective to improve individual and community health outcomes

During the year-long commitment, Polk will be required to develop, implement and evaluate a transformational health project focused on her interest for improved health and well-being for patients and people in the community.

“I plan to use this opportunity to develop a sustainability plan for the Delta Healthy Families Project and to increase the programs and services offered at the Healthy Lifestyle Center,” said Polk. “I’m excited to have been selected and look forward to the learning opportunities I will experience in the coming year.”

The programs and services currently being offered through the Delta Healthy Families Project/Healthy Lifestyle Center is made possible through a three-year HRSA Grant #D60RH25756 awarded to Delta State’s Robert E. Smith School of Nursing in August of2013. Polk serves as the grant project director.

Learn more about the center at https://www.deltastate.edu/news-and-events/healthy-lifestyle-center-opens-doors/.