VCU nursing alumni to discuss the future of health care

By Michael Ford and Barbara Payton

RICHMOND, Va. – VCU's 9th annual Commitment to Excellence alumni nursing conference opens Nov. 8 with a lecture by internationally known health-trends expert Jeff Goldsmith, Ph.D., president of Health Futures Inc.

An associate professor of medical education at the University of Virginia and featured speaker for VCU’s 34th annual Mahoney-Hamner Nursing Alumni Lectureship, Goldsmith will discuss "The Outlook for the Health System as the Baby Boom Generation Retires and Falls Apart."

"We are excited about bringing a world-renowned speaker to campus to share his vast knowledge and experience with our community," said Carl E. Ray, R.N., B.S.N., conference co-chair. "His topic is a timely one which is of great interest to all health-care professionals."

The conference is co-sponsored by the VCU School of Nursing and the Gamma Omega Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau and the nursing division of the MCV Alumni Association of VCU.

Goldsmith's Nov. 8 session at 2 p.m. is free and takes place on VCU’s MCV campus at the Medical Sciences Building auditorium, 1217 E. Marshall St.

Sessions on Nov. 9, scheduled for the Richmond Crowne Plaza Hotel, 555 E. Canal St., cost $50, $25 for full-time nursing students. The featured speakers include Nancy F. Langston, Ph.D., R.N., professor and dean, VCU School of Nursing; Janet Younger, Ph.D., R.N., professor and associate dean, VCU School of Nursing, and Janet Palmer, R.N., J.D., attorney at law. Topics include leadership for the future, regulatory issues, legal issues and nursing practice. Registration for both days is available online at www.vcu-mcvalumni.org. For details, call the MCVAA of VCU at 828-3900.