About Us

Partnerships

Responsibility for health is shared among individuals, community groups, health professionals, health service institutions and governments. They must work together towards a health care system which contributes to the pursuit of health.

Faculty, staff, and students affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing, participate in partnerships with a wide variety of community groups, governmental agencies, voluntary organizations, educational institutions, and health services organizations. Collaboration is an essential and valued component of nursing practice. Partnerships allow the School of Nursing to contribute in unique ways to coordinated actions directed at health improvement and management of health problems.

The committees, coalitions, and partnerships listed below represent only some of the linkages that exist between the School of Nursing and other organizations working together in the "pursuit of health."

Prevention and Intervention Science

This new multidisciplinary training program addresses contemporary social problems and issues facing at-risk and vulnerable groups across the life course. Participating units are the Department Educational Psychology, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, School of Nursing, and the School of Social Work. Training leads to a Ph.D. Minor (Option A) and/or Certificate in Prevention & Intervention Science. Particular attention is given to the concentrations of interventions in social services, health, and education, family and community studies, social policy, and methodology. The program is sponsored by the UW Graduate School. Susan Riesch, D.N.Sc. Professor of Nursing, and Associate Dean Academic Affairs, Graduate Studies & Research represents the School of Nursing on the Steering Committee.

The Madison Community Health Center Clinic at the South Madison Health and Family Center-Harambee

The School of Nursing had a significant involvement in the organization of the Clinic at the time the Harambee Center was founded, and we have a continuing involvement there both for faculty practice (Linda Baumann, L. D. Oakley, Kelly Lindgren, Regina Dunst, and Laurie Hartjes), and for graduate and undergraduate student clinical and independent study experiences. Since its beginnings, the School has contributed both in direct payment to help defray overhead costs (supported by the Helen Denne Schulte Funds) and in faculty time for provision of health care services in adult health, pediatrics, mental health, and prenatal care. Several of our faculty are (or have been) on MCHC and/or SMHFC-Harambee Committees (Pat Lasky on the MCHC Board of Directors, Pat Becker as convenor of the SMHFC Nursing Group, Linda Oakley on the SMHFC Board of Directors and several subcommittees, Pat Becker, Linda Oakley, and doctoral student Rebekah Hamilton on the SMHFC Research Committee ) . Thus, the MCHC Clinic at the Harambee Center is a major and vibrant part of the School's outreach to the Dane County community, as well as an important component of our faculty practice initiative.

Wisconsin’s Turning Point Initiative

Wisconsin’s Turning Point Initiative is a statewide initiative to transform Wisconsin’s public health system to address current and emerging 21st century health problems and issues. The goal is to create a healthier Wisconsin through a transformed public health system. The initiative is funded in part by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Wisconsin Division of Public Health. It is anchored in public health science, strategic planning, quality improvement, and collaborative partnerships.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Nursing, is a partner in the Turning Point Initiative. A number of faculty participate in committees working to create a public health improvement plan for the state of Wisconsin:

• Susan Riesch, DNSc, RN, Professor and Associate Dean: Turning Point Coordination of State and Local Public Health Partnerships Committee
• Nadine Nehls, PhD, RN, Associate Professor: Turning Point Mental Health Committee
• Rachel Rodriguez, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor: Turning Point Intentional and Unintentional Injuries and Violence Committee
• Susan Zahner, DrPH, RN, Assistant Professor: Turning Point Implementation and Evaluation Design Team
• Margarent Schmelzer, MSPH, RN, Clinical Assistant Professor: Chief of the Wisconsin Turning Point Initiative

For more information on Wisconsin’s Turning Point Initiative, contact Margaret Schmelzer at 608-266-0877 or go to the Turning Point website: http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/health/TurningPoint/index.htm

Wisconsin Public Health Advisory Committee

The Public Health Advisory Committee serves as an advisory group to the Administrator and State Health Officer of the Wisconsin Division of Public Health and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Family Services. The PHAC charges are to:

• Identify emerging issues of public health significance
• Provide advice on public health policy development
  
• Evaluate the implementation of current public health policy
  
• Monitor progress toward achieving objectives in state health plans
• Identify long range public health issues
  
• Coordinate with other advisory bodies to assure open communication
  
• Inform the Secretary and Administrator about public health concerns
  
• Provide a mechanism for information sharing and collaboration among PHAC members
  
• Educate policy making organizations about the role of public health and the impact of proposed policies on public health.

Members of PHAC include representatives from academic institutions, Boards and Advisory Committees to the Division of Public Health, State Laboratory of Hygiene, health professional associations, advocacy groups, and public health associations.

The School of Nursing is representated on PHAC by Susan Zahner, DrPH, RN, Assistant Professor, and Bernice Owen, PhD, RN, Professor CHS (alternate).

Wisconsin Public Health Association (WPHA)

WPHA is an organization dedicated to promoting sound public health policy and providing public health education for its members and the people of WI. Formed in 1948, it is the largest organization of public health professionals in the state and is an affiliate of the American Public Health Association. This organization exercises leadership in health policy development and action, with particular focus on the interrelationaship between health and the quality of life. Louise C. Smith and Susan Zahner have served as president of this organization in the past. There are a number of faculty who are members of this organization; Bernice D. Owen currently serves as Vice President.

University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics

UW Hospital and Clinics is a major center for teaching and regional patient referrals. It has a fourfold mission: delivery of comprehensive, high-quality patient care; education of the next
generation of health care professionals; research leading to advances in medical care; and service to communities throughout the state. The 463-bed hospital is recognized as a national leader in many fields, including cancer treatment, pediatrics, ophthalmology, surgical specialties and organ transplantation.

UW Hospital and Clinics is a partner in UW Health, a comprehensive system of health care providers associated with the University of Wisconsin. Other partners include UW Comprehensive Cancer Center; UW Children's Hospital; University Community Clinics; UW Health-University Physicians Plus; and clinical programs of the UW Medical School, UW School of Nursing, UW School of Pharmacy, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.