Sahud is new director for the ASC Nursing Program (07-10-07)
The Adams State College Nursing Program recently hired Dr. Aida Sahud as director.
Sahud brings to the department a patient-centered philosophy.
"The most important aspect of being a nurse is the human connection," Sahud said. "Caring is vital in the health profession. We need to be compassionate and empathetic. Nurses impact people every day. It is not just a job to go into."
Sahud spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala.
"Nursing is more than passing meds and giving shots," Sahud said. "Although it is an important part of the job, we are not just here to throw pills at people. Nurses are working with people when they are the most vulnerable."
Experience in community health
Sahud's philosophy is carried over into her teaching and administrating.
"As health educators we instill our value system in our students," Sahud said. "I have already noticed our students receive the same care and consideration our faculty would use to treat medical patients."
Amanda Jojola was the interim director of nursing before Sahud was hired.
"Dr. Sahud's experience in Community Health and work with the Guatemalan and Hispanic cultures will be incredibly valuable to our nursing students as well as our community," Jojola said. "Her vision coincides with our nursing program's mission, which focuses on access, cultural diversity, community service, and rural health care."
One of the aspects that attracted Sahud to the position was the quality of the existing program.
"When I saw this job advertised, I knew it was a perfect fit for my skills," Sahud said. "It is a superb program and I am very excited about the future. I recognize the hard work that has gone before me by Dr. Brownrigg (former director of nursing) and Amanda Jojola (instructor of nursing)."
Goals for future
The Nursing Program has plans to move the program forward. Some ideas are to offer a four-year program and recruit more prospective students at the high school level.
"By collaborating with Trinidad State Junior College and the San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center, the Adams State Nursing Program wants to prepare high school students for careers in the medical field, through advanced science and math courses," Sahud said. "We want to help prospective students succeed in our program."
A professional goal of Sahud's is to bring more diversity to the program.
"I know we have a strong population of Hispanic students," Sahud said. "And that is great; I would also like to recruit more African American and Native American students."
She has already connected with teachers and principals along the Front Range to encourage a more diverse population.
Sahud is working with Charlotte Ledonne and Freddie Jacquez, of the Colorado Area of Health Education Center’s San Luis Valley's Office, in organizing a workshop for health educators.
"Nursing students have to pass their boards, in order to become certified," Sahud said. "Charlotte, Freddie and I are collaborating to feature an expert in writing test questions, to better prepare our students to take the final tests."
The workshop will be held on the Adams State College campus Sept. 6 and 7.
"The first day will focus on evidence based practice and the latest research on integrating results and impact," Sahud said. "The second day, the educators will learn how to construct questions."
The nursing program is working with the San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center and Trinidad State Junior College Valley Campus to raise money for a Health Science Building. Other goals for the nursing program's future include adding a master's program, continuing with grant writing, and growing the program.
"I realize you can't do everything at once," Sahud said. "I will first concentrate on keeping our grants and writing new proposals."
Anticipating classroom work
She will teach nine units every year.
"My specialty is in community and public health nursing," Sahud said. "I love theory and clinicals and research, and I love teaching it."
Sahud received her master's in nursing science from the University of California, San Francisco and her master's and doctorate degrees in public health from the University of California, Berkeley. She has taught at many universities and colleges including the University of California, the University of Phoenix, the University of Northern California and developed a master's in nursing at Holy Names University. Her professional experience includes working with the Public Health Department in Berkeley.
As a Peace Corps volunteer Sahud wrote a grant and received $1500 in funding from the medical/nursing community in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to support a Health Promotore Program in the Western Highlands of Guatemala; worked closely with Guatemalan citizens; and taught teachers, public health professionals, and school teachers Red Cross first aid. She is fluent in the Spanish language.
"I lived in Guatemala for two years," Sahud said. "My experience in the health profession and as a volunteer in Guatemala has enriched my life and helped me to become grateful and thankful for all I have."
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By Linda Relyea
