Focus On Faculty With Donna Cook

On Wednesday, Feb. 20, the University of Cincinnati announced that it surpassed the $1 billion goal of its Proudly Cincinnati campaign—four months ahead of the campaign’s June 2013 deadline. The university’s 2013 Proudly Cincinnati Faculty/Staff Campaign continues through June 30, 2013.

The following "Focus On" highlights one faculty member's belief in the power of the Proudly Cincinnati Faculty/Staff Campaign and the contributions to it that have positively impacted the Academic Health Center, improving our tripartite mission of education, research and clinical care.

College of Nursing clinical instructor Donna Cook might only have two years as a faculty member under her belt, but her ties to the University of Cincinnati go much further back. Below, Cook conveys her conviction to UC’s Faculty/Staff Campaign and outlines her role at the college.

What is your background?

After 20 years as a respiratory therapy technician, I delved back into school and decided to pursue nursing. I completed my BSN at the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing in 1998 and continued to become a family nurse practitioner in 2000. My clinical focus has primarily been in geriatrics and I was certified as a gerontological nurse practitioner in 2011. I have practiced in transitional care units, nursing homes and acute adult health settings. I continue to practice as a nurse practitioner with Heartland Hospice.

What is your role at UC?

I am a clinical instructor with the College of Nursing. My primary role is in the distance learning (DL) program and I am the lead faculty for the DL health assessment for advanced nursing practice. I also have one cohort of DL adult gerontological nurse practitioner students and anxiously await their graduation this summer. I had the anesthesia students for an onsite health assessment lab and found it so much fun to actually spend time with students. I have been involved in several other graduate distance learning nursing courses.

You’ve said you have strong ties to the university. How so?

I received both my BSN and MSN from the College of Nursing and loved the time I spent here as a student. My faculty was always available to support me and to provide wonderful learning opportunities. So I can honestly say that even after I left, when I returned for alumni events, I felt as if I had returned home. Becoming a faculty member was an honor and a joy. I am also currently president of our College of Nursing Alumni Council. 

Why do believe in supporting the Faculty/Staff Campagin? 

It demonstrates a commitment to the goals and values of our institution. Involvement shows that we are invested in the university. It also sends a message that we value our university, its achievements in education and research, and hopefully our investing in UC will inspire others to support the university as well. What can be a better testament than for the employees of an educational institution to donate to that organization? 

What are your outside interests?
 
I am known for my love of family which includes my husband, Glen, and my dog, "LiLi.” In fact, when Dean Glazer describes me, she mentions that "I love dogs.” I enjoy fundraising for the Bark and Purr Ball which benefits the Animal Friends Humane Society in Butler Counter. I actually got my last dog, Bubba, from Animal Friends. Now that name might tip you off to my southern heritage and then my love of college athletics. Obviously, a big Bearcat fan, but my brother went to Auburn and that is where I watched many a game coached by Tommy Tuberville. I was screaming louder than anyone the night I heard Tuberville was coming to coach our Cats! Unbelievable! College of Nursing faculty made a University of Cincinnati basket for the silent auction at the Bark and Purr Ball this spring and Tuberville autographed a football to include in the items. I heard two women almost got in a fight over that basket! It should be an exciting season! And of course I enjoy my family who all live in Alabama, although visits are not as frequent as I would like. I have wonderful friends here in Cincinnati, many of whom are faculty at UC! What a treat to work among my friends.