School of Nursing Visits University of Cordoba in Spain to Further Develop Partnership
A delegation of representatives from VCU and its School of Nursing visited the University of Cordoba in Spain this month to further develop the partnership at the school level with this University to University Partnership. VCU Nursing’s Debra Lyon, Ph.D., RN, FNP-BC, FNAP, FAAN, professor and chair of the department of Family and Community Health Nursing; Susan Lipp, M.S., RN, assistant dean for Enrollment and Student Services; and Nancy Langston, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, dean and professor, were accompanied by Humberto Fabelo, VCU’s coordinator for the University of Cordoba partnership, and McKenna Brown, executive director, VCU Office of International Education. The delegation met with faculty and students of the nursing program, and administrators of the university, including the rector and vice rector for Students and Culture.They also met with representatives of two community health centers and a hospital. The perspective of care focused on continuity of care – from primary prevention through illness care and post-hospital discharge follow-ups.
“We believe experiences in a system with such a model will be a very positive professional experience for our students,” Dr. Langston said.
In addition to the meetings and work with various representatives of the university and health care organizations, the VCU delegation had some time to stroll the streets and enjoy the culture and character of the country. All agreed it was a positive professional experience that was also a fun and impressive personal experience — the people were generous of spirit and time as VCU representatives attempted to understand their educational and health systems and create a partnership. A group of VCU nursing students will travel to the University of Cordoba in May for a three week experience in Community Health Centers – they will be partnered with students from the University of Cordoba nursing program who were here at the VCU School of Nursing last summer. A second group of Cordoba students will be here at VCU again in July. Dr. Langston noted that the trip was “a great start for a sustainable, dynamic partnership.”
