Samford nursing program wins $2.1 million U.S. Department of Health and Human services grant
Samford University’s Ida Moffett School of Nursing has received more than $2.1 million to help make graduate nursing education more affordable for currently practicing or teaching nurses committed to careers in nursing education. Samford’s $2,140,611 Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration is the largest in the country and one of only three nationally that exceeds $1 million. This is Samford’s 16th year to receive funding for the program. According to Jane Martin, nursing school senior associate dean and project director of the grant, additional faculty are needed for nursing schools to increase student capacity. “The Nurse Faculty Loan Program is designed to help address the shortage of nurse educators. Students who receive loans for graduate degree programs can have up to 85 percent of the loan forgiven in exchange for service as full-time nursing faculty members at an accredited school of nursing,” she added. The Nursing Faculty Loan Program grants are intended to address the shortage of nursing educators by forgiving as much as 85 percent of a student’s loan for graduate nursing education in exchange for full-time work as a nursing educator. (Samford University) “The need for professional registered nurses is growing at a rapid pace, and faculty shortages in nursing schools are impeding our ability to address the increased demand,” said Nena F. Sanders, vice provost of Samford’s College of Health Sciences and nursing school dean. “It is projected that our country will need an additional 439,300 nurses by 2024.” The American Association of Colleges of Nursing found that nursing schools turned away 64,067 qualified applicants in 2016-17. Nearly two-thirds of the nursing schools responding to the survey pointed to a shortage of faculty and/or clinical preceptors as a reason for not accepting all qualified applicants into their programs. More than 92 percent of faculty vacancies were positions requiring or preferring a doctoral degree. “Since 2008, the NFLP has provided grants to eligible Samford students pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.). These graduates are now serving in a variety of academic settings throughout the nation,” said Gretchen McDaniel, associate dean for graduate nursing program. According to McDaniel, students in a number of Samford’s D.N.P. options may be eligible for funding, including Bachelor of Science in nursing to D.N.P. nursing administration or nursing informatics and analytics; and post-master’s administration or advanced practice. The NFLP was approved by Congress in 2002, and Samford was one of the first 55 nursing schools from across the U.S. to receive funds. Samford’s NFLP grants now total more than $13.5 million. The 2018-19 grant is expected to help more than 150 students from 18 states in Samford’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program. To apply for admission to Samford graduate programs in nursing, go to https://www.samford.edu/nursing/graduate-nursing/. Republished with permission from Alabama News Center.
Mayor Randall Woodfin talks economic and other benefits to city as “Live” wraps up filming
Helicopters buzzing over downtown Birmingham provided a climactic end Friday to filming for the action film “Live!” that brought a month’s worth of Hollywood stars and heart-stopping stunts to the Magic City. Filming for the police thriller starring Aaron Eckhart officially wraps today. Eckhart is best known for his dual role as “Harvey Dent” and “Two-Face” in 2008’s “The Dark Knight.” For “Live!” Eckhart teams up with director Steven C. Miller, a Georgia native who developed a bit of a cult following for his horror films before branching out. “Live!” tells the story of a disgraced cop’s pursuit of the police commissioner’s kidnapped daughter with help from an online reporter. Filming started May 15 and has included flying cars, explosions, pyrotechnics and other stunts. [Film uses Alabama Power’s helipad] Miller says the city of Birmingham and local businesses have been great to work with, adding there’s been “100 percent flexibility” from the community. The filming required numerous street closings over the past few weeks. “Birmingham allowed us to come in and shoot the movie I wanted to shoot,” Miller said. “The people are really chill. Everyone is really nice to me, really accommodating and hospitable.” Producers chose Birmingham because the city’s downtown had an urban look Miller wanted for the nonstop action that takes place mostly outdoors. “I wanted something that had a little bit of grit but also felt like it was up and coming,” Miller said, noting the numerous construction projects happening downtown. “I really like Birmingham because Birmingham still feels like a city.” The city’s emerging food scene has also left an impression with Miller and the crew. “To be honest, I like the food. I’m a food guy. If there are some good burgers and barbecue, that’s my spot, and this definitely has that,” Miller said. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said the relationship between the production company and the city has been mutually beneficial. The movie hired locals as cast members and extras, and the multi-week production was a boost for local service industries. “They’ve eaten in our restaurants. They’ve attended musical events and Birmingham Barons games,” Woodfin said. “They’ve enjoyed all the amenities in Birmingham. They’ve also rented apartments or stayed in hotels while making this movie. They love Birmingham.” In addition to the economic boost for the city, Woodfin said the crew donated leftover food to Birmingham shelters every day. One crew member even adopted a homeless dog, the mayor said. “The great thing about this particular production company is that they are not only filming an action movie in Birmingham and hiring residents, but they are also giving back to the community,” Woodfin said. “Live!” is the latest example of the expanding film-making scene in Birmingham, which has a look many directors want. “Film companies have selected Birmingham so many times simply because we are Birmingham. We have fabulous architecture. We have wide streets. We have interesting corners,” said Don Lupo, director of the city’s Office of Citizens Assistance. “We have tight alleys that avail themselves to the chase scenes in ‘Live!’ We have what is necessary to make a movie. And we are inviting. The growing interest shows just how far Southern hospitality goes.” To that end, Film Birmingham, an initiative of Create Birmingham that started two and a half years ago, works to recruit movies to the Magic City. The Alabama Legislature approved an updated film tax-incentive program in 2009, which “Live!” took advantage of when choosing Birmingham. Each year, the state sets aside $20 million to attract movies, commercials and documentaries to Alabama. The most well-known film to qualify for tax incentives was 2017’s “Get Out,” which was shot in Mobile and grossed more than $157 million. The film was nominated for Best Picture at the 90th Academy Awards. Helicopter scenes were shot Friday using Alabama Power’s helipad. (Phil Free/Alabama NewsCenter) Create Birmingham President and CEO Buddy Palmer said the incentives make Alabama much more competitive, especially for smaller films with budgets between $500,000 and $14 million. If approved for tax incentives, producers can be reimbursed 25 percent of their qualified expenses. That reimbursement jumps to 35 percent for the salaries of local cast and crew. “We are really as competitive as anyone can be for that size budget,” Palmer said. In 2017, Film Birmingham assisted with eight feature films and more than 50 projects, ranging from commercials to music videos and everything in between. Just six months into 2018, the organization has already matched its production budget from last year. Producers are beginning to return to Birmingham with repeat business. According to Palmer, two producers of “Live!” will return in the fall to shoot another film. “They now have a familiarity with the community,” Palmer said. “The Los Angeles film community is small enough that word-of-mouth really is powerful. When directors’, cinematographers’ and art directors’ Instagram feeds suddenly get filled up with downtown Birmingham, Bessemer, Fairfield or the Cahaba River … we could not pay for that kind of marketing.” Republished with permission from Alabama News Center.
Former department of health employee pleads guilty to felony ethics charge
According to a press release by the office of the Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, former state employee Yoshiko Denise Givner has pleaded guilty to forging travel reimbursement forms worth $15,000. According to an April 20, 2018 report by WSFA.com Givner was “arrested and charged with theft, criminal possession of a forged instrument, and using their office for personal gain.” They went on to report: Givner is specifically charged with criminally possessing 19 forged instruments with the intent to defraud, committed theft of more than $2,500, and used her office as an employee of the ADPH for personal gain. The AG’s office would not provide any other details except to say the charges are felonies with a maximum penalty of up to 20 in prison fine fines up $15,000 for each of the criminal possession of a forged instrument charges, and up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $30,000 for the theft and use of office charges. Givner worked as an administrative assistant at the Alabama Department of Public Health. Marshall’s office said that Givner forged her supervisor’s name to documents in order to collect mileage and travel expenses for trips she didn’t take. The forgeries occurred between 2013 and 2016. According to records from Open.Alabama Givner’s employment ended in February of 2017. The release reads as followed: AG GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL ANNOUNCES GUILTY PLEA BY FORMER HEALTH DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE FOR FELONY ETHICS VIOLATION (MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Steve Marshall announced the conviction of a former employee of the Alabama Department of Public Health for using her official position for personal gain, a felony ethics violation. Yoskio Denise Givner, 32, of Montgomery, pleaded guilty yesterday in Montgomery County Circuit Court. The case was prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Division. Givner used her former position as an administrative assistant for the Alabama Department of Public Health to falsify travel vouchers, forging her supervisor’s name on documents requesting payment for per diem and mileage she did not earn because she did not travel. Between October 2013 and August 2016, Givner used this scheme to steal more than $15,000 from the State of Alabama. A sentencing hearing will be set at a later date. Givner faces a maximum penalty of two to 20 years of imprisonment and up to a $30,000 fine. “Public employees are entrusted to conduct themselves in the service of the people of Alabama with integrity and honor, and when that trust is violated as it was by this defendant, I am committed to prosecute those who use their positions for illegal personal gain,” said Attorney General Marshall. He thanked the Alabama Department of Public Health for its vigilance in reviewing the illegal vouchers and its assistance in the investigation and prosecution of this case. He commended the Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Division, noting in particular Assistant Attorney General Peggy Rossmanith and Special Agents for their outstanding work to achieve this conviction.
Roundup of Father’s Day messages from state leaders and candidates
Father’s Day gives us all a chance to reflect on the important role that men have in their families and communities. From members of our congressional delegation to candidates for office throughout the state here is a round-up of Father’s Day 2018 social media posts (in no particular order): Congressman Gary Palmer via FB: John Merrill via FB: Congresswoman Martha Roby via her FB: Walt Maddox via Twitter: Eli and I got some evening fishing in Nokomis – nice break from the trail and a great way to celebrate #FathersDayWeekend pic.twitter.com/jIFTN6JWg0 — Walt Maddox (@WaltMaddox) June 17, 2018 Bobby Bright for Congress via FB: Alabama GOP via Twitter: Happy #FathersDay! Thank you to every dad for giving your all to make sure your family is loved, protected, encouraged & strengthened. ❤#ALPolitics pic.twitter.com/1DOps8iuY6 — ALGOP (@ALGOP) June 17, 2018 Jim Ziegler State Auditor via FB: Congresswoman Terri Sewell via FB:
