DETROIT, January 2007 – The unveiling of an archival exhibition saluting the world’s most famous nurse, demonstrations of cutting-edge teaching technologies and a reception to honor pioneering professor emeritus Dr. Bernice Finley Morton are among the highlights scheduled for the first-ever Open House at the Wayne State University College of Nursing beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24.
 
The opening of the Florence Nightingale exhibit, an extensive collection of memoirs and artifacts from the 19th century British nurse whose medical accomplishments during the Crimean War helped to elevate the standing of nursing as a profession, is a first for the College of Nursing. The display, which includes Nightingale’s personal items and letters, was purchased by the university.
 
After a full year of operation for the College’s $600,000 Distance Learning Center and High Technology Classroom, the expansion of the nurse-managed Campus Health Center at Wayne State and the arrival of lifelike, computerized human patient simulators for enhanced student instruction, the time was right to share the good news about the College of Nursing with friends, supporters and the public, Dean Barbara K. Redman said.
 
“A lot of exciting things are happening here,” Dean Redman stated. “We are responding to the growing nursing shortage with innovative instructional programs, distance learning and high-tech capabilities, a world-class faculty and a commitment to our urban research initiative. We have a lot of stories to tell, and we wanted to offer the community a chance to come and see the advancements we’re making for themselves.”
 
Other special elements of the day-long event include:
 

• A breakfast reception with CON faculty featuring a presentation from Assistant Dean for Family, Community and Mental Health Dr. Linda Lewandowski, who will discuss the College’s unique Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NPP) program;

• A special presentation of the Heritage Society Award from the Anthony Wayne Society to Val Gokenbach, Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive of William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, in recognition of Beaumont’s generous and continued support of the College of Nursing.

• A guided tour of the Richard Cohn Memorial Building, home of the WSU College of Nursing, including demonstrations of the College’s state-of-the-art Distance Learning Center and High Technology Classroom, extensive Nursing Skills Lab and its new “Sim-Man” and “Sim-Baby” lifelike patient simulators;

• Narrated shuttle bus tours of the Wayne State campus;

• A light luncheon featuring a guest speaker from the College of Nursing faculty and a student presentation;

• Visits to the nurse-managed Campus Health Center at WSU, and

• Beginning at 5:30 p.m., an event reception at the College for Dr. Bernice Finley Morton, associate professor emeritus and author of The Color of Healing: A History of the Achievements of Black Nurses, an oral history of African-American nurses compiled over more than 15 years.

Dr. Morton, whose portrait will be installed on the College of Nursing “Wall of Fame” during the ceremony, is best known for developing the College’s first affirmative action plan for minority students, greatly improving the recruitment and retention of students and faculty members of color. Dr. Morton was a professional nurse and educator for 57 years before her retirement in 1988.
 
All events are free and open to the public, but advance registration is requested. Please RSVP to ses@lists.wayne.edu or call (313) 577-0300. For more information, call Mary Hollens, College of Nursing Development Director, at (313) 577-6067 or Jim McFarlin, Information Officer, at (313) 577-8605.