Welcome our new dean - joyce griffin-sobel
Joyce Griffin-Sobel, PhD, RN, named dean of the College of Nursing at Upstate
Joyce P. Griffin-Sobel, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF, who has more than 30 years of experience in academic nursing, has been named dean of the College of Nursing at Upstate Medical University.
Griffin-Sobel, who is known for her leadership and innovation in teaching with technology and interprofessional education, is a professor in the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing at Hunter College, City University of New York, where she has served as acting dean, assistant dean of curriculum & technology (2008-2011), and director of undergraduate programs (2004-2011).
The appointment, effective April 1, was announced by Upstate President David R. Smith, MD. Griffin-Sobel succeeds Elvira Szigeti, PhD, who served as dean of Upstate’s College of Nursing since 1998.
“The outstanding growth of our College of Nursing under Elvira Szigeti, I believe has enabled us to attract a visionary leader like Joyce Griffin-Sobel,” Smith said. “We are excited about her plans for the college and the breadth of experience she brings in the areas of teaching, administration and research that will benefit all of us throughout the university.”
Griffin-Sobel already has met with faculty, alumni and students to discuss her plans for the college. “My goals are to develop interprofessional education experiences, broaden the college’s online course offerings, build strong relationships with our stakeholders such as health care and community agencies, corporations and alumni, and to deepen the research mission of the college.”
Upstate’s College of Nursing, enrolls more than 400 students in a variety of programs, offering bachelor’s, master’s, post-master’s certificate. It will begin offering the doctor of nursing practice degree this fall. The college is accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
At Hunter, Griffin-Sobel is principal investigator for New York City Nursing Education Consortium in Technology (NYCNECT) which is a HRSA-funded faculty development grant in teaching with technology. She is co-principal investigator, with Carol Storey-Johnson, MD, senior associate dean for education at Weill Cornell Medical College, for ITEACH—Integrating Transdisciplinary Education Across Cornell-Hunter.
As acting dean, and assistant dean of curriculum and technology, Griffin-Sobel oversaw curricular activities and academic quality in this school of 800 students, and led the incorporation of technology into curriculum, with special attention to the use of simulation and informatics. During this time, she created a CUNY-wide consortia of faculty development in teaching with technology. While director of undergraduate programs, Griffin-Sobel oversaw curriculum, academic advising and student activities. During her career at Hunter, she was instrumental in the nursing school’s successful application to the National League for Nursing to be named a Center of Excellence in 2010. She also aided in the creation of partnerships for academic progression of students from junior to senior colleges within the CUNY system, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Partners in Nursing Program.
A member of the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1988-1995, Griffin-Sobel served as director of clinical nursing research for the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps, where she developed the first program of clinical nursing research. She held the rank of lieutenant commander. Her other academic appointments include the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing, University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Nursing and the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.
Griffin-Sobel’s impact has been felt as an author, editor and contributor to numerous scholarly works, and books including, Gastrointestinal Cancers (Oncology Nursing Society, 2007), and Hematology & Immunology: Concepts for Nursing (Appleton Century Crofts, 1986) which won an AJN Book of the Year Award. Griffin-Sobel has numerous scholarly articles published on cancer care, faculty development, teaching with technology and interprofessional education. She also served as editor of the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing (2004-2006) and as associate editor of Oncology Nursing Forum (2002-2004).
Griffin-Sobel is a much sought-after speaker, having lectured across the globe on issues related to technology in health care and cancer care. She has received numerous honors for her teaching and research including the 2012 Excellence award in Academic Mentoring from the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation, and was named a Fellow of the Academy of Nursing Education in 2008.
She has been active in professional organizations such as the National League for Nursing, both on the Academy of Nursing Education Review Panel, and a Center of Excellence consultant; American Association of Colleges of Nursing, where she serves as a CCNE on-site evaluator, and Sigma Theta Tau International.
Her clinical career has been in oncology, particularly care of those with gastrointestinal malignancies. She earned her PhD at New York University in nursing (1987), her MS in nursing as a clinical nurse specialist at Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing (1981) and her BS in nursing at Herbert H. Lehman College (1975).
Star Bumbanac RN BS is a patient service manager in the Emergency Department at Upstate University Hospital as well as a student in the Nurse Practitioner master's degree program in our College of Nursing. Photos by Richard Whelsky.
The pace of an emergency room is a good match for Star Bumbanac’s energy level. Star is one of two patient service managers in the Emergency Department at Upstate University Hospital.
“Everything comes to our door,” she said. Star’s office is responsible for the management, leadership and oversight of the Emergency Department’s pediatric, adult and minor treatment areas.
Along with her fast-paced, full-time job, Star (RN, BS) is a student in the Upstate College of Nursing Nurse Practitioner master’s degree program and a mother of three
Star came to nursing indirectly. She earned a bachelor’s degree in human services from Cazenovia College, and was deciding among social work, law school or nursing.
Nursing won out. After earning her RN from Crouse Hospital College of Nursing — “I’m a proud Crouse graduate,” she said — Star worked for a year as an ICU nurse at Crouse Hospital, then was a traveling nurse for a year before becoming a clinical educator at Faxton St. Luke’s Health Care in Utica.
While commuting from Syracuse, she took more nursing courses at Utica College and was a nursing instructor at Mohawk Valley Community College. She started her Upstate job in August, when she began her first semester in Upstate’s FNP program.
With that kind of energy, Star thrives in a busy Level-1 trauma center that’s part of an academic medical university.
“There are so many (academic and clinical) opportunities here,” she said. “You’re surrounded by medical residents and students in a learning environment. As a student, you want to be where there’s innovation and specialization. The opportunities at Upstate are endless.”
Posted on With Distinction by Jim McKeever
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Upstate nursing student found the career she loves
Nursing wasn’t always at the top of Stephanie Jarvis’ list of career options. After graduating from Cicero-North Syracuse High School, Stephanie enrolled at Onondaga Community College to study criminal justice. From there she went to LeMoyne College for a sociology degree, then back to OCC to study business. None of those felt right.
Then one of her friends – a nurse – suggested nursing as a possibility. Stephanie decided to give it a shot at OCC. “I remember how frightened I was the first day of class,” she said. The two-year nursing program at Onondaga was challenging, Stephanie said, but she soon overcame any doubts. She graduated from the program and enrolled in Upstate’s College of Nursing as an RN.
While earning her bachelor’s degree at Upstate, Stephanie worked in the hospital’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation unit, then switched to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in the Golisano Children’s Hospital.
She’s now in the master’s program at Upstate to become a Nurse Practitioner. “I love it,” Stephanie said. “It’s not a profession where you can just slide by. You have to love it.”
Her advice to students considering nursing?
“Follow your heart,” she said. “Try it, no matter how hard it is, and keep going. There are so many people you can help.”
Eventually, Stephanie wants to combine patient care with teaching. She’s accustomed to being in the classroom while working full-time as a nurse – she enjoys the critical thinking involved in trying to improve patient care — but has her sights set on transitioning from student to teacher.
In addition to working 80 hours every two weeks in the PICU, Stephanie’s taking two or three graduate-level classes each semester.
“Going into nursing is the best decision I’ve ever made,” she said. “I like change, and keeping busy is important to me. Nursing is the only profession that offers change on a daily basis.”
Posted on With Distinction by Jim McKeever
Floor plans are unveiled for Upstate’s newest address, Geneva Tower
Geneva Tower will be the new address to have if you’re a student or medical resident at Upstate Medical University this fall. Formerly known as Townsend Tower, the downtown Syracuse high-rise is getting a complete makeover and will be ready for occupancy in the beginning of August.
The new residence hall for Upstate will boast 139 spacious apartments, including one-bedroom, two-bedroom and four-bedroom units, and amenities of every kind: wireless internet access, air conditioning, laundry facilities, fitness room, free cable television and utilities, and dishwasher. The building will also feature several conference rooms for group study.
The one- and two-bedroom units have a single private bath room, the four bedroom suite has two private baths and two walk-in storage closets. All units come fully furnished.
“From the moment this project started, we involved the students by holding focus groups to see what kind of room configurations they preferred and to get their suggestions for furnishings and colors,” said Lindsay Lebowitz, Upstate’s residence director. “Each unit is decorated with soft muted colors providing students with every opportunity to decorate each unit to represent their own personality.”
Lebowitz said the interest in the new complex among students is very high. “We’re beginning to book rooms now for students for next fall, and I’m certain interest will only grow once the building nears completion,” she said.
The mild winter has allowed work to continue at a fast pace on the Harrison Street complex.
Lebowitz said students who reserve rooms through Feb. 15 will get six months of free on-site parking. The parking lot, located on the Adams Street side of the building, will be fenced with access only to residents.
“In real estate, the buzz word is location, location,” said Lebowitz. “This is a perfect address for students and medical residents. Everything is just a short walk from your doorstep.”
For more information on Geneva Tower, call Lebowitz at 464-5106, or email Geneva@upstate.edu.
Caption: A floor plan of a 2-bedroom unit offered at Geneva Tower. The one- and two-bedroom units at Geneva Towers have a single private bath room, the four bedroom suite has two private baths and two walk-in storage closets. All units come fully furnished.
(Story from Upstate OnLine - 2/10/12)