Southern Miss College of Nursing and Health Professions Announces Inaugural Research Symposium

Mon, 01/27/2025 - 09:32am

The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP) is thrilled to host its first-ever research symposium on Thursday, Feb. 6. The event will take place at Asbury Hall on the Hattiesburg campus from 1- 4:30 p.m., spotlighting groundbreaking research and fostering collaboration and innovation in the fields of nursing and health professions. 

The symposium–featuring keynote Cadenhead Lectureship Speaker Dr. Charleen McNeill, executive dean of academic affairs at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and Southern Nursing Research Society president–will include a dynamic program of oral and poster presentations by the CNHP’s distinguished faculty, showcasing their externally-funded research contributions to advancing knowledge and practice.

“We are excited to host Dr. McNeill who will offer an inspiring exploration of how evidence-based strategies, interdisciplinary research and policy translation can empower communities and drive meaningful healthcare transformation,” said Dr. Lachel Story, CNHP dean.

The keynote session is supported by the Cadenhead Lectureship, founded by Col. Tyler Fletcher in honor of his late wife, Dr. Gerry Cadenhead, who joined the Southern Miss nursing faculty in 1980 and served in various capacities including dean from 1997-2001.

“To this day, the Cadenhead Lectureship honors Dr. Cadenhead’s dedication to excellence in nursing,” added Story.

The event, supported by the Mississippi Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Community Engagement and Training Core, and the Gulf South Center for Community Engaged Health Research and Innovation, is free and open to the public. Students, researchers, healthcare professionals and members of the community are encouraged to attend.

“The research symposium is a celebration of the extraordinary work being done by our faculty and an invitation to collaborate and innovate as we address the health challenges and opportunities in South Mississippi and beyond,” said Dr. Jennifer L. Lemacks, CNHP associate dean for research.

For more information about the symposium, email Lanena John, CNHP Community Engaged Research coordinator. Click here to learn more about the Southern Miss College of Nursing and Health Professions.