IUN School of Nursing program launches Mahoney Lecture series

Promoting the exchange of ideas among health-care providers is a diversity initiative for campus and community

Nardi

Health-care professionals from northwest Indiana and interested community members recently filled the Savannah Center Auditorium in Gary for the School of Nursing’s first Mary Mahoney Lecture.

Speaking on issues concerning trends in health-care delivery, and the study of culture and nursing was Dr. Patricia Ludwig-Beymer of Advocate Health Care whose lecture title was Best Practices in Eliminating Disparities in Health Care. Her experience in the health-care field and as a medical faculty member has been acknowledged with numerous awards and distinctions. Currently, Ludwig-Beymer serves as administrator of clinical excellence at Advocate, the largest fully integrated health delivery system in metropolitan Chicago. There, she oversees care management, patient safety, research and continuing education.

“The Mary Mahoney Lecture series itself is a diversity initiative. It was designed to promote collaboration and the exchange of ideas that support access to quality health care to the working poor and vulnerable populations,” said Deena Nardi, associate dean of nursing at IU Northwest.

The Mary Mahoney Lecture series is funded by the IU Office of the Vice President for Student Development and Diversity and promotes education on the history and traditions of the nursing profession. It also will provide information on the accomplishments of minority leaders in the profession who have helped shape the field.

The series itself has been named for the first African-American woman to graduate from a school of nursing in the United States. Born in Boston in 1845, Mary Eliza Mahoney has been hailed for her courage in thwarting racial bias. She changed the face of nursing when, after her graduation, African-American students began to be accepted into nursing schools. She was known for her excellent nursing skills and professionalism, along with her ability to inspire others to work together for human rights.

“Being able to educate and generate dialogue with health-care professionals and the community through the Mary Mahoney Lectures series is very much a part of the university’s ‘Shared Vision’ and its commitment to community. The vision of individuals like Mary Mahoney, as well as Dr. Ludwig-Beymer, serves as reminder that people must work together to make a difference,” said Linda Rooda, dean of IUN’s School of Nursing program. “I was very proud to be a part of this wonderful dialogue between campus and community.”