As we celebrate 90 years of education, service, research and practice at the LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Nursing, we reflect on where we’ve been, where we are now and where we plan to go next. Our faculty, many of whom are also alumni, have played active roles in the programmatic and technological evolutions we have experienced during their tenure. They have also been part of our school’s resilient response to and growth because of historic challenges – from Hurricane Katrina to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, some of our faculty share their thoughts on the school’s past, present and future and on their own experiences on our campus.
Marie Adorno, PhD, APRN, CNS, RNC-MNN, CNE (BSN ’82, MN ’87)
Interim Director of the PhD in Nursing Program and Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing
“As an alumna of the LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Nursing, a faculty member and interim director of the PhD in Nursing Program, I am proud to be a part of our School of Nursing community. The knowledge and support I received during my years as an undergraduate and graduate student guided me to impact the nursing profession, early in my career, as a registered nurse.
“I was inducted as a charter member of the Epsilon Nu Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau in 1982. I was taught by Dr. Linda Corson Jones and worked with her on research projects that focused on the parent-child population as I pursued my graduate degree. The annual Dr. Linda Corson Jones Scholarship Day continues to highlight nursing scholarship, research and collaboration to support and build the science of nursing. Our academic-practice partnerships are a true indication of the importance of serving the community at the local, state, national and global level.
“Moving forward, we will continue our endeavors to provide leadership and excellence in nursing education, to educate students as clinicians, advanced practice nurses and researchers. We always need the support of each other and the community to advance healthcare initiatives with innovation and focus on improving patient outcomes.”
Jennifer Badeaux, DNP, CRNA (MN – Anesthesia ’04)
Nurse Anesthesia Assistant Program Director and Associate Professor of Clinical Nursing
“Our School of Nursing has a rich history that spans 90 years and has made a significant impact on health care education and practice. As an alumnus and current faculty member, I have had the privilege of being a direct part of its growth and evolution, and I am excited about its future and continued success.
“The School of Nursing established itself as a Center of Excellence and continues to excel in providing high-quality nursing education. The faculty is committed to delivering comprehensive and rigorous programs that prepare students to meet the challenges of rapidly changing health care trends and practices. We have consistently produced highly skilled and knowledgeable nurses who have made substantial contributions to the health care industry. The school has embraced technology and integrated it into our curriculum, offering innovative and interprofessional education experiences that enhance students’ clinical skills and critical thinking abilities. In addition, we foster a diverse and inclusive learning environment that prepares our students to provide culturally competent care in an increasingly globalized world.
“As a faculty member, I am inspired by the dedication and passion of my colleagues and students. Our School of Nursing is making an enduring impact on health care education, research and practice, and I am honored to be a part of this transformative journey.”
Kendra M. Barrier, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE (BSN ’00, MSN ’09)
Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing
“As our School of Nursing’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have evolved, there has been a focused effort to create, maintain and sustain Inclusive Excellence. According to the AACN, Inclusive Excellence is sustained when there’s a ‘focus on student intellectual and social development.’ It means providing teaching and learning environments where all students, faculty, staff and stakeholders have a sense of belonging, as well as challenging everyone to achieve goals at high levels while sharing their cultural differences and educational experiences.
“On our journey to achieve Inclusive Excellence, our school is providing more faculty development that promotes innovative teaching and learning strategies, developing more academic leaders, promoting public policy that advances nursing education, and creating structured collaborative educational relationships with our community partners. All of these elements will move the nursing profession forward and help to reduce the nursing workforce shortage by producing diverse and competent nurses who mirror our patient population.”
Marsha Bennett, DNS, RN (MSN ’86, DNS ’97)
Professor of Nursing, Emerita, and former Director of the Louisiana Centre for Promotion of Optimal Health Outcomes: A JBI Centre of Excellence
“I think it’s a really important time to look back on our growth and development. When you think about it, 90 years ago seems light years away. But even to look at our growth over the last five years, we’ve launched so many new programs and graduated even more students. There’s a clear reason we need to come together for our 90th – to clarify our vision for the future. These celebrations remind us of what we’ve done and motivate us to do more.
“We are well positioned for that. Our dean, Dr. Porche, is quite a visionary and keeps the school on top of local, national and global trends, and the school’s stimulating culture attracts people who are on exciting career trajectories, many of whom want to do research. Our school has a lot to be proud of, from the work being done in diversity, equity and inclusion to the development of so many new programs designed to meet the needs of the community – like the new nurse-midwifery program, which will make a big difference in improving maternal and infant outcomes. Our school’s ongoing commitment to the community was also evident by the number of faculty and students who volunteered during COVID, when people in our neighborhoods were being infected and dying at higher rates than in other parts of the country. I’ve always been proud to be part of a school with such a strong mission to serve its community.
“It was such an honor to be part of the inaugural School of Nursing Hall of Fame. I enjoyed my work at the school for many years, and the fact that my peers would nominate me for such an honor left me speechless and very humbled. I’ve moved twice in the last year, and I take that statue everywhere I go. And even though I retired and live in Tennessee now, I still teach via distance in the fall and spring semesters as an adjunct. The great part about retiring is that you get to do what you love, and I’ve always loved teaching and engaging with students at the School of Nursing.”
Alison Davis, PhD, RN, CNE, CHSE
Interim Associate Dean for Nursing Research, Scholarship and Science, Director of Nurse Educator Concentration and Associate Professor of Clinical Nursing
“Research has been and remains an important part of the academic experience at the School of Nursing, as nursing practice is built on nursing knowledge, theory and research. We prepare undergraduate students to be consumers of research, and students in the graduate programs continue to refine their research knowledge and skills. Both curricula help students to remain up to date with research so they can provide optimal nursing care through evidence-based practice.”
Leanne H. Fowler, DNP, AGACNP-BC, CNE, FAANP
Program Director, Nurse Practitioner Programs, Program Coordinator, Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP and Associate Professor of Clinical Nursing
“In celebration of the School of Nursing’s 90th anniversary, I cannot help but reflect upon the growth of our Nurse Practitioner programs that were developed in response to so many needs across health care agencies and communities. Considering the NP role was initially developed to enhance the physician workforce only 58 years ago in 1965, the School of Nursing has successfully provided academic NP programs for 31 of those years. The very first NP programs offered are known today as Neonatal [initiated in 1992] and Primary Care Family NP [initiated in 1993] for the Master of Nursing (MN) degree. Around 2010, the MN degree program evolved into the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, which requires core fundamental sciences and advanced research for all advanced nursing degrees.
“As the needs of health care systems, patients and communities, and nursing education continued to evolve nationally, the School of Nursing’s NP programs transitioned all programs to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree around 2014. This transition was designed to produce NP leaders equipped to lead and collaborate to foster systems-level change through quality improvement, policy analysis or other methods of translational science.
“It was around this same time that Dr. Porche envisioned offering more NP programming to support a variety of population-focused concentrations for the NP role to address the growing needs of the health care workforce across our state. Therefore, 23 years after the Neonatal and Family NP programs were initiated, in 2016, we launched the Adult Gerontology Acute Care and Primary Care NP concentrations to address the growing needs of and health disparities affecting older adult populations. A year later in the fall of 2017, we launched the Psychiatric/Mental Health concentration to increase the number of psychiatric medical providers in a state where 100% of its communities are experiencing mental health provider shortages. Last but not least, in a formal partnership with a local children’s health care agency, we established the first Pediatric Acute Care and Primary Care NP concentrations in the summer of 2018 to increase the number of pediatrics-focused medical providers who are equipped to meet the needs of populations requiring specialized knowledge and skills.
“Most recently, we launched dual-track offerings in the summer of 2019 to offer students educational offerings with a broader scope of practice. As the health care landscape continues to evolve, I am confident the growth in NP programming will produce a workforce that is able to lead systems-level change promoting quality practice standards and equitable health care to the communities across our state.”
Deborah Garbee, PhD, APRN, ACNS-BC, FCNS (ADN ’75, MN ’98)
Associate Dean for Professional Practice, Community Service and Advanced Nursing Practice, Program Director, Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Program and Professor of Clinical Nursing
“The School of Nursing is a respected institution, and it is the people in the School of Nursing that make the institution and continue to reshape this reputation of excellence. What sets the school apart from others is the collegiality between faculty, staff and students. Rarely is the word ‘no’ heard as we embark on innovative initiatives to improve teaching, student learning outcomes or the organizational culture.
“Our dean, Dr. Demetrius Porche, transformed the School of Nursing culture after Hurricane Katrina. That allowed faculty to set the school on a path for continuous improvements, growth and innovation. I am proud to serve as part of the leadership team at the school.
“When I look back on my experiences as a nursing student in the Associate of Science in Nursing program, it seems rudimentary in comparison to our current facilities and resources. I attended classes at both the barracks at the LSU Dental School and the old Hotel Dieu School of Nursing building. Our labs consisted of watching cassette tapes on nursing skills. Today, students attend classes in auditoriums with state-of-the-art technology and computer connections at every desk, and they learn and apply nursing skills in the Nursing Skills and Technology Center/Simulation Center housed within a new Center for Advanced Learning and Simulation. With the current leadership team, I am confident the School of Nursing will continue to evolve in the future and set a high bar for excellence in nursing education, research, practice and service.”
Adele Harrell, PhD, MSN, RN (BSN ’01, MSN ’12)
Interim CARE Program Director and Instructor of Clinical Nursing
“Nursing education has evolved significantly over the years, shaping generations of health care professionals. As an LSU School of Nursing alumna, I have a unique perspective on the School of Nursing’s journey through the past, its accomplishments in the present and its promising future.
“The past serves as a foundation upon which the School of Nursing was built. Reflecting on my time as a student, faculty member and now the Interim CARE program director, I can recall the challenges and milestones that have been achieved. There are numerous pioneering nurse educators who have laid the groundwork for a robust curriculum, instilling in our School of Nursing the importance of evidence-based practice, compassion and patient-centered care. The growth of our school over the past 90 years, from its humble beginnings to its current stature, stands as a testament to the dedication and perseverance of faculty, administration and students.
“We are currently witnessing the culmination of years of dedication and innovation. The School of Nursing continues to foster excellence in nursing education, equipping the next generation of nurses with the skills needed to excel in a rapidly changing health care landscape. The integration of advanced technologies, interprofessional collaboration and an ongoing commitment to excellence show why the School of Nursing stays at the forefront of nursing education.
“Looking to the future, we envision an even more dynamic and influential School of Nursing. The ever-evolving health care system presents both challenges and opportunities for growth. As we prepare to adopt the new nursing essentials and competency-based nursing education into our curriculum, we will continue to address emerging health care trends while producing nurses who will continue to excel in the nursing profession. By nurturing a culture of lifelong learning and critical thinking, the School of Nursing empowers its students to drive positive change, advocate for patients and contribute to the advancement of nursing.”
Paula Kensler, PhD(c), DNP, MBA, RN (DNP ’14)
Program Director for the Clinical Nurse Leader Masters and Executive Nurse Leader DNP Programs and Instructor of Clinical Nursing
“In preparing for the 90th Anniversary celebrations, we have been looking at timelines of who led us and what we’ve accomplished. What struck me was the number of firsts the school has accomplished – and the number of alumni who went on to serve as faculty.
“Dr. Deborah Garbee, our associate dean for Professional Practice, Community Service and Advanced Nursing Practice, was a graduate of our first associate degree nursing program in 1975. Dr. Kendra Barrier was the first to graduate with a Master of Science in Nursing Education degree in 2009. Drs. Jenna Martin and Andy Pitt were in the first cohort to earn their post-master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees in 2013. And many of our faculty are inaugural members of the Epsilon Nu Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing that began 1982, now an at-large chapter.
“We are built on ‘firsts,’ leading the way, realizing our goals, building upon our achievements, and continuing to learn, innovate and evolve – creating a better future for all of us.
“We have come so far from the buildings where the School of Nursing was housed initially, and the expansion in technology is quite remarkable. Many of the faculty still remember practicing simulations on each other, and now we have advanced, high-fidelity simulation labs with lifelike simulators in our new Nursing Skills and Technology Center.
“I’ve been a nurse for 43 years and, given the growth over the last 40-plus years, one can hardly imagine what the future holds. Reflecting on past accomplishments and the challenges that we have overcome provides inspiration for the future.”
Linda Manfrin Ledet, DNS, APRN, PMHCNS-BC (BSN ’84, MN ’92, DNS ’04)
Off-Campus Instructional Site Director, Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing
“In 1981, I started nursing school in a four-story red brick building on the present New Orleans campus. This building no longer exists since our campus has transformed, but fond memories of my experiences, education and friendships during my BSN education remain.
“Since then, our School of Nursing programs and our modern, well-equipped campus with expert academic faculty has grown tremendously. I returned to LSUHSC Nursing to complete two more graduate degrees over the years, and presently, it is a great honor to be a nursing educator here. The School of Nursing gives me tremendous support with resources, mentoring and leadership, and the school’s environment is both academically challenging and nurturing. These are just a few reasons why LSUHSC Nursing continuously ranks as one of the top 10 schools in the nation!”
Jennifer Manning, DNS, ACNS-BC, CNE (BSN ’00, MSN ’07, DNS ’14)
Associate Dean for the Undergraduate Nursing Program, Program Director of Baccalaureate Articulation Program and Associate Professor of Clinical Nursing
“Each time I completed a program at the LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Nursing, doors of opportunity opened up for me to advance my career. My BSN degree opened the door to nursing practice in telemetry and critical care settings. “The MSN opened the door to advanced practice as a clinical nurse specialist and academic faculty. The DNS opened the door to academic administration statewide and national leadership opportunities.
“With each opportunity, my degree prepared me for the role. Others highly regard a degree from LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Nursing, and I am proud to say I graduated from here three times.”
Shannon Pfingstag, DNP, CNM, FACNM
Nurse-Midwifery Program Director
“As a certified nurse-midwife with more than 20 years of practice experience, I know firsthand about the power of the midwifery model of care to improve maternal and infant outcomes. I am thrilled to be a part of building the School of Nursing’s Nurse-Midwifery program and to prepare the next generation of nurse-midwives to be care providers, change agents and leaders in health care.”
Demetrius Porche, DNS, PhD, ANEF, FACHE, FAANP, FAAN (MN ’89, DNS ’95)
Dean and Helen A. and James B. Dunn Professor
“Our school being here for 90 years makes us one of the oldest in the state. To know we’ve been around that long and continue to lead demonstrates our perseverance through history.
“The successes of our DNS and PhD alumni highlight how many researchers we produce and the impact of our reach. What they have done and who they have educated create a ripple effect and plant new seeds of discovery and progress for the nursing profession, health care and health policy.
“When it comes to establishing a stronger role for nurses in policy, we have supported our students’ attendance at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Student Policy Summit every spring since it started. Our faculty are very active and have held many leadership positions in the Louisiana State Nurses Association, New Orleans District Nurses Association and various public health advisory committees.
“We have been very intentional about trying to get more of our faculty into academies. In June 2023, two of our faculty members – Dr. Leanne Fowler and Dr. Sherry Rivera – were inducted as Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, meaning we now have four faculty members who are fellows of the AANP. Dr. Laura Bonanno was inducted as a Fellow in the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology in August 2022 and a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing in October 2022.
“We were an early adopter of moving the academic preparation of advanced practice nurses to the Doctor of Nursing Practice level. We have also expanded our academic programs to include all four advanced practice nursing roles, along with the executive nurse leader and public/community health nursing role.
“Today, we recognize that nursing education needs to work differently to prepare students to work collaboratively with different health care professionals in complex and evolving settings. To that end, we are engaged in enriching students’ clinical experiences and expanding programs as we celebrate 90 years and move forward.”
Todd Tartavoulle, DNS, APRN, CNS-BC (BS CPS ’93, BSN ’98, MN ’07, DSN ’13)
Assistant Dean of Student Services and Associate Professor of Clinical Nursing
“What an exciting time for the School of Nursing, as we celebrate 90 years of providing nursing education and training in the state of Louisiana. This is a remarkable milestone, and it is an excellent time to reflect on our accomplishments.
“Over the years, the School of Nursing has expanded its range of nursing programs to meet the evolving needs of the community as we offer opportunities for various levels of nursing education, including bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
“We are the only School of Nursing in the state of Louisiana to offer the four Advanced Practice Registered Nurse roles of Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and Certified Nurse Midwife, and the School of Nursing will continue to collaborate with our community partners to serve the citizens of Louisiana.”
