School of Nursing Establishes First Named Professorship
Joan Dodgson, Ph.D., has been named the first holder of the Patricia and James R.
Hemak Endowed Professorship in Maternal Child Health in the Saint Louis University
School of Nursing. Among SLU's 33 named professorships, this the nursing school's
first.
SLU alumna Patricia Hemak, Ph.D. (Nursing ‘64) said she and her husband established the endowment because they wanted to give back to the university that inspired and spurred her career.
Her family and instructors at SLU influenced her to go into nursing, but it was Mary
Teresa Noth, F.S.M., Ed.D., dean of the SLU nursing school from 1966 to 1982, who
first recognized and encouraged Patricia Hemak to seek a career in nursing at SLU.
"She encouraged me to take the SLU scholarship exam for the nursing program," Hemak
said. "As a result I was awarded a four-year academic scholarship, which allowed me
to become the first woman in my extended family to go to college."
Her goal was to advance medicine and research regarding the care of new mothers and infants, to honor SLU's commitment to the study and education of nursing and to recognize excellence in nursing education specifically in the area of maternal child health.
"My SLU education transformed my life and lit my passion for maternal-neonatal nursing, and ultimately led to a teaching career in the field," Hemak said. "And today, this endowed professorship represents the expansion of this passion for nursing practice, education and research, which has the potential to transform health care in the area of maternal-child health and likely many other nursing areas, which I can hardly imagine now."
Our endowed chairs and professors enhance our reputation. Their work and their concern for others draw bright and talented students who are eager to learn from scholars working at the boundaries of their disciplines. Dr. Joan Dodgson is one such scholar."
Teri Murray, Ph.D., Dean of the SLU School of Nursing
From the University's perspective, the gift did more than that - it allowed SLU to bring one of the best and brightest researchers to be a part of SLU's faculty.
"Our endowed chairs and professors enhance our reputation - nationally and internationally," said Teri A. Murray, Ph.D., dean of the School of Nursing. "Their work and their concern for others draw bright and talented students who are eager to learn from scholars working at the boundaries of their disciplines. Dr. Joan Dodgson is one such scholar."
Renowned Researcher
Dodgson is a globally renowned expert in the field of maternal child medicine. During her career, she has been a leader in breastfeeding promotion and support strategies.
"I was in Cambodia last year when I received the call about the opportunity at SLU - the position seemed perfect for me," Dodgson said. "It offered everything I enjoy - research, teaching, patient care. I also really like the social justice focus at SLU. That's been a strong focus for my career - providing care to vulnerable populations."
"With Dr. Murray's leadership and enthusiasm and Dr. Dodgson's amazing and awe-inspiring
body of research and expertise in her field, I am certain that the faculty and students
in the School of Nursing will benefit greatly by this new collaborative effort, which
will transform nursing practice across many settings - leading to improved health
and well-being of moms and babies," Hemak said.
Dodgson has focused her research on indigenous, African-American and Asian populations.
She has provided "critical care to Cambodian refugees who faced the challenges of daily life all the while escaping the violence and savagery of war," Murray said. "Here in the U.S., she has changed her specialty area to perinatal nursing with an emphasis on infant feeding and community-based interventions."
Murray and University Provost Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D., both praised and thanked the Hemaks for their generosity and commitment to SLU.
A Generous Gift
"Endowed faculty positions are critically important for SLU, as we continue our ascent as one of the nation's leading Jesuit universities," Brickhouse told the crowd gathered for the ceremony. "I speak on behalf of the entire University when I say that we all are proud to have the Patricia and James R. Hemak Endowed Professorship in Maternal Child Health in our School of Nursing at Saint Louis University."
The Hemak endowment allowed the SLU the opportunity to launch a national search for the best and most accomplished candidate to become a part of the school's faculty.
"With the Hemak endowment, we enticed Dr. Dodgson to join SLU's faculty to bring the highest standards and greatest expertise to our nursing program," Murray said. "She exemplifies the Hemaks' unwavering commitment to nursing education."
Prior to the Hemak endowed professorship, the School of Nursing has established two endowed chairs. The Dorothy A. Votsmier Endowed Chair in Nursing is held by Norma A. Metheny. Ph.D., who is associate dean of Nursing Research. The school is seeking a recipient for the Irene Riddle Endowed chair in Nursing, which is open. SON also has an endowed lectureship, the Trudy and Christina Valentine Endowed Lecture.