Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Sheila Hauck named USI Distinguished Nursing Alumna
Dr. Sheila Hauck
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Betty Vawter Senior Editor, News & Information Services 812/480-1873 "I have known Sheila for more than 20 years," said Dr. Nadine Coudret, dean of the USI College of Nursing and Health Professions. "I have been impressed with her excellence as a student, as a clinician, and as a nurse leader. She epitomizes the excellence of nurses who graduate from the USI nursing program." In 1997, 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. This year she was among the first graduates of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. The Distinguished Nursing Alumna Award was presented to her October 18 at the annual dinner of the USI Nursing Alumni Society. Hauck is executive director of professional practice, oncology, and palliative care at St. Mary's, which was recognized in January 2011 with Magnet status by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The designation recognizes excellence in nursing. Only 6 percent of hospitals nationwide have achieved this status. During the process that led to Magnet recognition, Hauck directed a team at St. Mary's to implement a care-delivery model called Relationship-Based Care, which has resulted in patient satisfaction scores in the 99th percentile since 2007. In the model, the acronym CARING stands for Connect with the patient, Ask the patient, Respect the patient, Interact with the patient, Nurture the patient, and Go the extra mile. Hauck is co-author of the article "Implementing Relationship-Based Care" in the June 2011 issue of the Journal of Nursing Administration. For her capstone project in the DNP program, Hauck implemented evidence-based nursing practice at St. Mary's. "Nursing care is based in nursing research," she said. "At St. Mary's, the care we provide is based on sound scientific knowledge." In May 2011, Hauck received the St. Mary's Nursing Excellence Award in Nursing Administration. Hauck's clinical nursing career has been in the field of oncology nursing. She has been a leader in providing programs and services for cancer patients and their families. In the early '80s, she assisted with founding Evansville's first hospice, Ohio Valley Hospice. She opened the region's first Cancer Resource Center at St. Mary's in 2000 and the hospital's palliative care program in 2005. In addition, she has established breast-screening programs, presented educational programs on cancer topics, and founded a support group for cancer patients and families. Hauck was inspired to become a nurse when she worked one summer as a respiratory therapist at a hospital in Indianapolis. She was "wowed" by the knowledge of the nurses and the way they provided care. She persisted with oncology nursing following her first permanent appointment as a registered nurse in a new oncology unit at Evansville's Welborn Baptist Hospital in the '70s. Dr. Jack Williams, now retired, was the chief medical oncologist. "His care focused on body, mind, and spirit," Hauck said, "He was extraordinarily competent as well as compassionate." Hauck earned an associate degree in nursing at Purdue University and bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing at the University of Evansville. She holds nursing specialty certifications in oncology and advanced nursing administration. |
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