Each quarter results in building a new and unique community within the class for the 10 weeks period that we will all be sharing together. In order to get things started, and to learn a little about each other, please be certain to answer the following in your introductory Padlet post:
 
1) Where you are geographically located. 
2) Let us know which graduate programTrack you are in. 
3) Tell us about your past and present employment experiences.  
4) Share one expectation that you have for this course that will enhance your nursing practice. 
5) Anything else you would like to share about yourself that you feel the class might enjoy knowing. 

Also, as we build the community, please feel free to post one of your favorite photos (of you, or your pet, your family, etc). For example, this is a photo from a trip I took to Bolivia in 2011 with a team of healthcare consultants from Drexel College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP). As a forensic healthcare clinician of 25 years, my role was to work with forensic psychologists, public DAs/prosecutors and regional court judges regarding enhanced assessment of children exposed to sexual violence and the related judicial process. Given that this course focuses on Health Policy and Legislation, I can tell you that the justice system for women and children who have been sexually or physically abused in Bolivia is severely lacking, and, was one of the issues that I discussed with the judges from across the country whom I was able to provide forensic consultation to.  In the photo below, I am working with children in the school room of their Domestic Violence shelter/compound (located in Cochabamba, at over 16,500 thousand feet in the Andes mountain range!). Alpacas were everywhere and I fell in love with quinoa (which is basically eaten at every meal there…and now whenever I see it on a restaurant menu, I simply must have it!).
 
 I look forward to learning more about each of you.
 
 "See" you in class,
 Dr. C

My name is Amber Klein, this is my first class with Drexel and my first class in 5 years! I live in Philadelphia and work at Jefferson University in the medical ICU. I have worked there for a little over a year and love it but I am ready to move on with my career and start CRNA school in June. Before working at Jefferson I was working in the ICU at Chestnut Hill.

 I am originally from Michigan so the east coast is still new and exciting for me. I moved here 3 years ago with my now fiance and we love it here. This recent weather makes us feel right at home :).

 In my free time I enjoy hanging out with friends, hiking, exploring the city, and traveling. We adopted our dog shortly after we moved here and love taking him for hikes. We are getting married in June so I will be busy with school, classes, and wedding planning the next few months. I am looking forward to getting back into school mode. 

I took a health policies class during my undergraduate but that was over 5 years ago so I am looking forward to this course and seeing how much I recall from my undergraduate. I am looking forward to learning more about the legislative process and current health care bills that are being reviewed.

Hello everyone, 

 

My name is Orane Hay. I was born on the island of Jamaica and raised in N.Y.; I currently reside in Westchester, which is about twenty minutes north of NYC. I started nursing with my associates’ degree from a small hospital based program, The Dorothea Hopfer School of Nursing.  That program provided me with a strong education and clinical skills which I continue to utilize in my career. While working on a Med-Surg unit at NYP-Lawrence Hospital I obtained my BSN and then transferred to the medical I.C.U.. The operating room and anesthesia have always been extremely appealing to me; therefore I decided to apply for nurse anesthesia school. I have been fortunate enough to be accepted to Our Lady of Lourdes NAP, which is in conjunction with Drexel University. 

My expectation from this course is to learn more about the legislative process of health care bills and their passage into law and policy.  These decisions govern many of our actions when caring for patients so I believe it is important for us to know the origin of the rules which we adhere too.  

 

On a personal note I love to eat and travel. My most recent travel was to Iceland. My hobbies tend to vary. In the past I've ridden motorcycles, mountain biking, ice skating, and more.  This winter I have gone out snowboarding which has been tons of fun. I also plan to travel once more before June. I'm still taking suggestions on potential locations. My current thoughts are Peru or Mexico. 

 

I look forward to learning more about issues in contemporary health care with you all. Let’s hope for a great semester. 

 

-Orane Hay 

 

My name is Veronica Brown. I was born and raised in Philadelphia. Last year I purchased my first home in the Fishtown/Kensington section so for now I am here to stay! This is my first class ever at Drexel University and I am excited to be a “Drexel Dragon” now. I have taken some graduate courses at La Salle University, my alma mater for my undergraduate nursing degree that I obtained in 2012. My first year working as a nurse I worked in a pediatric setting, although I loved the position I wanted to become an adult trauma nurse. I currently work full-time at Albert Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia in the Surgical/Trauma ICU (SICU) and as a per diem nurse at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in the critical care float pool. I’ve been fortunate enough to work in many types of ICUs, PACU, and even the ED. This exposure has helped me think long and hard about what track I would like to study in an advanced practice role. I have chosen CRNA and am fortunate to have been excepted to the Our Lady of Lourdes program with Drexel. 

 

From this course I hope to gain a new interest in policy and politics. Especially, the contemporary issues that are directly related to health care. I hope this course helps me to branch out of my comfort zone and discuss issues that I normally would not find myself in conversation about.

 

I recently adopted a dog I named Winston! He is a rescue pit found on the streets of Philadelphia by a nursing co-worker. We went through the Mercer county shelter to have all his shots & such completed. He is a quirky dog, loves to cuddle, and has brought so much joy to my home! 

 

Here’s to a great semester!
 & of course a photo of Winston my dapper dog. 

 

My name is Swen Paguia.  I am originally from Houston Texas, moved to New York City 4 years ago and last I year moved to Bayonne, New Jersey. I have been an RN for over 8 years and am in the Nurse Anesthesia track at Our Lady of Lourdes.

 

Past experience in nursing has been in Telemetry, CV stepdown, ER, PACU, Vascular Access/PICC, travel nursing, 5 years in adult Critical Care and most currently CTICU and Perdiem at Interventional Radiology. 

 

One of the expectations I have for this course is to learn more about politics, policies related to current healthcare issues. I must admit that my knowledge regarding healthcare legislation is limited. But since these issues affects us all, I find that gaining information and knowledge is very important and beneficial.

 

My interests include travel, food, arts, music, history, outdoor activities and nature! On my off days I relax, play music and volunteer as a nurse in the community. 
Picture below is one the most beautiful places I have ever seen and of my favorite hikes ever!

Looking forward to interacting with you all!

Regards, 

Swen Paguia

 I competed my BSN at Washburn University in Topeka, KS. I moved to Washington, DC where I began my critical care journey. I worked as a critical care nurse in a busy metropolitan hospital. I was trained in Trauma, Neurosurgical, Medical, Surgical, Cardiac, Cardio surgical, and Transplant Nursing. After relocating to Northern California, I am now working in a community hospital in the Critical Care department. At Drexel, I have chosen the MSN in Education track. 

As a former Washingtonian, I became enthralled with the ongoing political issues that were forefront in the news and day to day life. The Newseum, a museum dedicated to local and global news, was one of my favorite places to visit in D.C. My expectations for this class include being able to synthesize the recent and historical health care legislation in to a understandable platform for progress. My goal is to academically sort out the quagmire of health policies. 

Here is a beautiful view of the San Fransisco Bay. I love the neutral weather here, but miss the snow of the east coast. 

Best,  
Robyn Smith

My name is Eric Rayburn and I am originally from Sarasota, Florida but currently live in Philadelphia,Pa. It is stereotypical but I grew up playing golf and going to the beach on the weekends. I moved here in 2004 so I am accustomed to the cold weather we seem to be experiencing on a daily basis. I still enjoy playing golf when the temperature is above 32 degrees and now skiing when it is less than 32 degrees. I went to Drexel University from 2008-2012 and graduated with a BS in Health Sciences. I then attended Thomas Jefferson for nursing school and graduated with my BSN in 2015. I have worked in the CTSICU at The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for the last three years. It always seems stressful but the learning is endless. I am starting my journey in CRNA school. I look to gain more insight into the policies shaping today’s healthcare and how they change my approach to providing care to patients at the bedside. 

Best of luck in everyone's endeavors!