Though Sean Riggin, a retired healthcare administrator from Florida, could not be present, a letter he penned was read aloud during a May 29 luncheon held at the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center, where the announcement was made during the same week as both of his parents鈥� birthdays. The event was attended by the Riggin family, including Sean鈥檚 sister Ashley Coldiron, as well as university leaders and nursing faculty.

鈥淭his planned gathering is to announce my estate gift that will establish the Dee and Don Riggin Endowed Scholarship for students studying nursing in the School of Nursing at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock,鈥� Sean wrote. 鈥淭his honorary gift is a tribute to my mom and dad who, through endless examples, demonstrate there is no higher purpose in life than to love and support others.鈥�

Provost Ann Bain read the letter to the family and praised the Riggin family鈥檚 decades-long support of the university.

鈥淭he Riggins have been associated with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock for many years,鈥� O鈥橬eal said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not only our institution they support, but other wonderful organizations across the city. We鈥檙e thrilled to be associated with the Riggin family. Don鈥檚 legacy goes back to his time as a student body president at Little Rock University, and Dee鈥檚 career in the health profession makes this scholarship especially meaningful.鈥�

Don Riggin earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in 1962 from what was then Little Rock University. He later served as president of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors and was deeply involved in shaping the institution鈥檚 development initiatives. Speaking at the event, he reflected on how much the university has meant to his life.

鈥淚t鈥檚 mutual,鈥� Don said. 鈥淚 had some great instructors, great mentors, great friends. We didn鈥檛 have a strong alumni association at that time, and then we made a decision that development was very important to this institution. Dee and I both think we have two of the greatest children you could ever want. If you look at what Ashley and Sean have done, we are extremely proud of both of them.鈥�

Dee Riggin, a retired labor and delivery nurse, added, 鈥淲e love the university. Don has loved it a very long time since he was here as a student. It鈥檚 a part of our family. Sean and Ashley will be the next people to support the university too.鈥�

Sean, whose 36-year career in healthcare spanned both clinical and administrative roles, wrote of his admiration for the nursing profession and the vital role nurses play in healthcare systems.

鈥淚n every capacity, and at all levels, nursing professionals are the fulcrum of the care matrix,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he demands require delegation, diligence, and integrated knowledge at every level. I believe healthcare is the future for the jobs marketplace, with nurses filling roles that general practice gatekeepers traditionally held.鈥�

Dr. Sloan Davidson, director of the School of Nursing, expressed gratitude for the gift.

鈥淭his is outstanding news,鈥� Davidson said. 鈥淥ur student population includes many first-generation college students, and they need support to succeed. We are deeply appreciative of this gift.鈥�

Joanna Hall, director of simulation and assistant professor of nursing, added that it鈥檚 a full-circle moment.

鈥淲e have already received support from the Riggins for simulation equipment and now for scholarships, it feels like they鈥檝e been woven into 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 culture for a long time,鈥� Hall said.

Provost Ann Bain said the planned scholarship is 鈥渁 fabulous tribute to both of you and your family. We appreciate it so much.鈥�

Provost Bain also announced that Sean will be inducted into the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Heritage Society this fall, recognizing donors who have made planned gifts to the university.

After the luncheon, Dee and Don Riggin toured the School of Nursing and the Center for Simulation Innovation, where they saw the Echo masks and virtual reality technology that had so impressed their son on his earlier visit.

In his letter, Sean thanked his sister Ashley for her support in establishing the gift and praised the university鈥檚 planned giving team and nursing faculty for their professionalism and dedication.

鈥淚 was amazed and inspired during my tour of the School of Nursing and the experience-based training demonstrated through virtual reality technology,鈥� Sean wrote. 鈥淭heir commitment to an innovative and quality learning environment is palpable and exciting.鈥�

The endowment ensures that future nursing students at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock will receive vital financial support while honoring the legacy of a family whose love for the university spans generations.

鈥淚 wish all future graduates a purpose-driven career that fulfills and inspires them to provide dedicated care to countless individuals in Arkansas and beyond,鈥� Sean concluded.

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The program invited high school students interested in the healthcare field to participate in a Jan. 23 event designed to help them learn more about career opportunities in healthcare.

鈥淭he Sweetheart program is a healthcare-oriented service and leadership opportunity that finalizes with the AHA Heart Ball,鈥� said DeeDee Moline, assistant professor in the School of Nursing. 

The School of Nursing first participated in the AHA Sweetheart Program four years ago through St. Vincent. At the time, Moline was the heart attack program coordinator, seeking to bring community collaboration to the cardiology internship with AHA. So, she invited the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Nursing program to participate in the one-day cardiology internship. 

Since then, the relationship between AHA and the School of Nursing has grown. Students and faculty from the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Nursing program would go to St. Vincent to participate in the Sweetheart program, bringing a variety of healthcare simulation equipment for demonstration and hands-on learning purposes.

Then last year, a representative from AHA, Kathy Finley, asked if an additional event could be held at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. During the two-hour, fun-filled interactive experience, the high schoolers worked with virtual reality, manikins, and even put on geriatric simulation suits. This program gave the School of Nursing a chance to showcase the Center for Simulation Innovation, a 10,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art simulation hospital on the first floor of the nursing building. 

This event, like much of what the School of Nursing strives to do, is focused on serving and educating the community. 

鈥淓ducation is a very powerful tool,” said Joanna Hall, director of simulation for the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Nursing. “We want to give them the information they need to know.”

Hall says her experience working with AHA Sweethearts has been wonderful. Her background was cardiac when she was a nurse at St. Vincent, so it feels like a full circle moment getting to educate future healthcare providers about nursing. 

鈥淲ith all of these collaborations, we are really trying to open the door for people to understand the opportunities that are available to them,鈥� said Hall, who added that the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Nursing program is exceptional, and it has been great getting to inform future prospective students about the great resources available. 

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This list features some of the state鈥檚 most accomplished women in the health care industry, as voted on by AY Magazine鈥檚 readers. Hall is also a member of the board of directors and President-elect for the Arkansas Center for Nursing and Leadership Saline County Class XIX President.

鈥淭here are so many incredible women in healthcare on this list,鈥� Hall said. 鈥淭o be named as one of them is such an honor.鈥�

As the head of the Center for Simulation Innovation at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 School of Nursing, Hall oversees a state-of-the-art facility where nursing students and health care professionals refine their skills through immersive simulations. The center, the only  simulation facility in Arkansas internationally recognized for excellence, provides a safe environment for students to step into the role of registered nurses and gain hands-on experience.

鈥淟ooking ahead, we’re excited to push the envelope by exploring more ways to incorporate virtual reality (VR) into our curriculum,鈥� Hall said. 鈥淲e currently have 12 VR headsets, but the sky is the limit with VR in simulation. We’re excited to see what role we can play in making sure we continue to produce exceptionally prepared nurses to care for our Arkansas communities.鈥�

Hall鈥檚 dedication to nursing education and innovation has profoundly influenced her students and the profession, fostering a legacy of excellence and inspiration. Hall and eight other 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock nursing faculty members are pursuing their doctorates to advance research efforts and further the fields of nursing and leadership.

鈥淲e can always tell a compelling story here in the School of Nursing, but the best stories become even better when you have data to support the narrative,鈥� Hall said. 鈥淩esearch has already been on the rise in the School of Nursing for the last several years, and I have no doubt that there will soon be an explosion of research to support our students, our faculty, our community, and the future of nursing.鈥�

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The endowment of the Willard and Pat Walker Director of the Center for Simulation Innovation ensures that the CSI will remain at the forefront of innovation and excellence in clinical education. 

The Center for Simulation Innovation delivers immersive healthcare simulation training to approximately 500 undergraduate nursing students each year and was recognized with the 2023 Frontline Simulation Champion Excellence Award by the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning, making it the only lab in Arkansas to have this recognition. Collectively, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock nursing students spend about 30,000 hours in the lab each year.

“The Willard and Pat Walker Foundation has a long history of support for our School of Nursing that has enabled us to have a meaningful impact on healthcare in Arkansas by equipping our students with the support, skills, and resources they need to excel,鈥� Provost Ann Bain said. 鈥淭his latest gift will not only strengthen our ability to educate and train the next generation of nurses but also empower us to embrace cutting-edge advancements in the field.鈥�

When Bain joined the nursing faculty in 1983, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock had a small two-year nursing program that admitted about 60 students a year. Times have certainly changed with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 addition of the LPN-to-RN program, Paramedic-to-RN program, and RN-to-BSN online program. Now with about 1,000 nursing majors enrolled, it’s the university’s largest academic program. 

The Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation prioritizes initiatives in Arkansas that will benefit the most from its support while honoring the legacy of Pat and Willard Walker. Reflecting this generosity and continued dedication to nursing education, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock named the Willard and Pat Walker Center for Nursing Education in their honor.

“Our investment in 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 nursing program is making a real difference, and we鈥檙e proud to continue supporting its success,鈥� said Mandy Macke, executive director and vice chairman of the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation. 鈥淭he Center for Simulation Innovation is equipping future nurses with the skills they need to provide quality care, ultimately increasing access to high-quality healthcare across Arkansas. This endowed directorship strengthens our shared commitment to improving health outcomes for our communities.”

Joanna Hall, director of the Center of Simulation Innovation and assistant professor of nursing, is a former Willard and Pat Walker endowed scholarship recipient at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and credits the foundation for its lasting impact on healthcare education in Arkansas.

“The Walkers have been amazing supporters of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock nursing students,” Hall said. “As a two-time Walker Scholar, it is especially meaningful to now serve in a  director position the Walker Foundation has endowed at my alma mater. This generous gift recognizes the exceptional training our simulation faculty provide and helps us retain top faculty, ensuring our Center for Simulation Innovation and School of Nursing continue to prepare highly qualified, competent, and safe nurses to care for our Arkansas communities.鈥�

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 School of Nursing has significantly enhanced its programs in recent years, consistently achieving outstanding NCLEX exam pass rates and making major investments in state-of-the-art training technology. The Center for Simulation Innovation now features a robust suite of cutting-edge equipment, including a shaken baby simulator, EchoMasks, MetaQuest VR headsets, and pediatric manikins, providing students with an advanced, hands-on learning experience and preparing them for a myriad of experiences in the healthcare field. 

Learn more about the nursing program at .

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In her first new role, Joanna Hall, director of simulation at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, has been named to the board of directors for the , the state鈥檚 nursing workforce center as well as a member of the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Center. The nonprofit organization publishes reports related to the supply, demand, and educational capacity of the nursing workforce in the state.

鈥淚 will be representing nurse educators from around Arkansas,鈥� Hall said. 鈥淚鈥檓 very excited to get involved in putting all the data together to create a better picture of the state鈥檚 nursing workforce.鈥�

In a new professional development opportunity, Hall is one of 14 people who has been selected for . The participants meet every other week for 18 weeks to develop leadership skills and learn more about the resources in their community.

鈥淪aline County is where I call home,鈥� Hall stated. 鈥淚鈥檝e lived between Benton and Bryant for the last eight years, my son goes to school there, and we have a lot of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students from there. It鈥檚 just a fabulous opportunity to connect with other professionals and look at all the wonderful things happening in Saline County.鈥�

During each class, the students learn about a key component of the Saline County community, including nonprofits, government, media, education, economic development, and fire and police.

鈥淚鈥檓 interested in connecting with people in a new way,鈥� Hall said. 鈥淥ur class has people from banking, academia, real estate, nonprofit, and politics. There are so many people that I never would have met if not for this program. This is a very interesting way to get involved with my community directly. I am very excited to grow my leadership skills.鈥�

Each class also plans and executes a class project that benefits a local nonprofit organization as well as raises funds for the Leadership Saline County Scholarship fund, which annually awards four high school seniors a $500 scholarship.

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The is a collaborative project between the School of Nursing and 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 , a research center focused on immersive visualization, augmented and virtual reality, and interactive technologies. The immersive experience is designed to welcome and familiarize prospective and incoming nursing students into the dynamic world of college and laboratory sessions by providing a preview of their college journey and offering a virtual backstage pass to the high-tech simulation center where their hands-on learning will come to life.

鈥淭his initiative plays a vital role in student success for our incoming nursing students,鈥� said Dr. Sloan Davidson, director of the School of Nursing at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淚t’s particularly important for our first-generation college students, who might find the high-tech aspects of the simulation lab a bit overwhelming. We believe that familiarizing them with the simulation setting through this virtual tour will ease their anxiety and better prepare them for their courses.鈥�

This project is a great example of cross-disciplinary collaboration, offering valuable experiences to students from both areas. More than 20 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock faculty, students, staff, and alumni were involved in the development and creation of the Nursing 360 Project.

鈥淭his project is a wonderful example of cross-disciplinary collaboration where our students are getting valuable hand-on experience,鈥� said Thomas Coffin, operations manager at the Emerging Analytics Center. 鈥淭his is a comprehensive program that teaches project management and application development, skills that will carry well into their future careers.鈥�

Carlos Ochoa, a graduate student in computer science from Thousand Oaks, California, served as an artist and web developer on the project and worked on user interface design and the website.

鈥淏eing able to work with other departments at the university is probably one of the most fascinating parts on this whole project,鈥� Ochoa said. 鈥淚 was able to develop my hands-on experience with graphic design and web skills, as well as developing my adaptation skills based on needs and priorities. Being able to work with everyone and communicate as a team is a skill I will take to the future.鈥�

Joanna Hall, director of simulation, said the virtual tour is also a great way to connect with members of the community who want to learn more about the healthcare simulations available at the Center for Simulation Innovation.

鈥淲e do a ton of tours every year, not just with prospective students, but with people from the community who are interested in seeing some of the great things we do in our simulation center,鈥� Hall said. 鈥淭he Emerging Analytics Center was fabulous, and we were happy to work with a forward-thinking group who is pushing the envelope when it comes to technological innovation. It was a match made in heaven, and we are looking forward to more opportunities to collaborate in the future.鈥�

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Several University of Arkansas at Little Rock nursing professors have been volunteering at Little Rock鈥檚 Family Assistance Center and have described what it鈥檚 been like to help people through tornado relief efforts.

The , located at 315 N. Shackelford Road, is a partnership with Engage Arkansas, Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief, the Salvation Army, Wolfe Street Foundation, Center for Youth and Families, Immanuel Baptist Church, Goodwill Industries, and the United Way.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 think I鈥檝e seen the entire community come together like this since 9/11,鈥� Joanna Hall, assistant professor of nursing and director of simulation, said while describing the hundreds of volunteers she worked with at the Family Assistance Center since April 4.

Hall even brought her 5-year-old son Bodie to volunteer at the Family Assistance Center. While she was hesitant at first to bring her son, Hall said many parents have brought their children to volunteer and that the fellow volunteers embraced Bodie as one of their own.

鈥淚 was thinking a 5-year-old would be in the way, but they welcomed him with open arms,鈥� Hall said. 鈥淭hey dubbed him the official 鈥榳ater boy鈥� since he would walk up to cars in the drive-thru line and hand them bottles of water. Bodie absolutely loved it. He was obsessed with using the pushcarts, so the volunteers made sure he helped with any job that required one. He was out there learning some valuable life lessons all while working his sweet little 5-year-old magic.鈥�

The School of Nursing has come together to help their students impacted by the tornado. Faculty have been donating money, bought groceries and other necessities, and donated scrubs, shoes and medical equipment that students need to complete their classes and clinicals.

SarahBeth Phillips, assistant professor of nursing, has been volunteering at the Family Assistance Center while staying in close contact with the three nursing students and one adjunct instructor who were directly impacted by the tornado.

鈥淚鈥檝e been making sure that I am talking one-on-one with the students who have been affected,鈥� Phillips said. 鈥淥ur faculty have been so generous in donating supplies and getting donations together for the students. We are several weeks removed from the tornado, but there is still so much that needs to be done. Sometimes they just need a hug or someone to sit down and talk to.鈥�

Karen Bristow, assistant professor of nursing, and her husband found themselves spending the weekend following the tornado in their daughter鈥檚 Sherwood neighborhood helping to clean up and using their chainsaw to cut downed trees.

鈥淟uckily, my daughter had only minor damage to her house. They had one big tree in the backyard that fell on the fence and some damage to the roof, but some of their neighbors had houses with no roofs,鈥� Bristow said. 鈥淲e helped these neighbors with their debris. It was shocking to see all of that. The neighborhood was a mess.鈥�

Bristow has also been volunteering at the Family Assistance Center, where, among many things, they collect donations, organize them into individual packets for families, and give them to families as they drive through.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been a humbling experience because I have everything I need and so many people don鈥檛,鈥� Bristow said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 worth it to see the smiles on people鈥檚 faces after you give them their supplies and you smile at them. I鈥檓 glad to be a part of a community of giving back.鈥�

Phillips encouraged people to continue to volunteer, make donations, and check in on those affected by the tornado.

鈥淥ne of my students said she goes through the day and when she lays down at night, she misses her bed and her home,鈥� Phillips said. 鈥淭he weight of everything 鈥� trying to find a new home is on her and her husband鈥檚 shoulders while she is going through this hard program to try to become a nurse. Don鈥檛 forget that there is still a need out there. Some people haven鈥檛 been able to go into their homes yet, and some people have nothing. We don鈥檛 want people to forget about it.鈥�

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Worth about $85,000, this high-fidelity pediatric manikin, CAE Aria, represents a 7-year-old child and prepares students and practicing professionals for the moments that count. Training with CAE Aria reduces medical errors, improves performance, and enhances pediatric patient care.

The School of Nursing had to wait almost as long as a real-life pregnancy, approximately nine months, for the pediatric manikin to arrive due to supply chain issues, so the School of Nursing held a celebration to announce the 鈥渂irth鈥� of Charlie, complete with a birth certificate and a family of pediatric manikin siblings.

鈥淲e pulled all the pediatric manikins today to celebrate, and they鈥檝e all got these cute little stickers that say proud big brothers and proud big sisters,鈥� said Joanna Hall, director of simulation at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淭his is a big event for us. This has been years in the making. We are really trying not only to put simulation on the map for our Simulation Center but to give our students a unique experience here at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock that they鈥檙e not going to get anywhere else in the state.鈥�

Charlie will be used in a variety of training scenarios from oxygenation issues such as asthma or anaphylaxis to infection, perfusion, or neurological issues. Simulation staff can change Charlie to meet a wide range of simulation training needs. They can change the manikin vital signs, including heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, respirations, and pulse oximetry. Charlie can also bleed, urinate, have seizures, and the eyes can change to appear bloodshot, jaundiced, or numerous other presentations.

鈥淭he options for this manikin are endless,鈥� Hall said. 鈥淭his manikin looks infinitely more realistic than many of the other similar, lower fidelity manikins we currently have. In addition to looks, this new peds manikin feels real with silicone skin, compared to the plastic skin of our older pediatric manikins.  Beyond appearance and realism, the technology our new peds manikin has is night and day better than our older peds manikins. Charlie is completely wireless which adds to the realism of the experience and is completely run off a Microsoft Surface tablet, which can change every aspect of the manikin function and presentation from vital signs and other physiological changes to age-appropriate voice responses.鈥�

Charlie is very verbal and has a lot to say. The manikin communicates many phrases from 鈥淚 want my mommy,鈥� to 鈥淥uch!鈥� to 鈥淚t felt like somebody was poking me with a stick.鈥� Charlie鈥檚 communication skills help nursing students know how the patients react to different situations.

Ashley Easter, a nursing faculty adjunct, called the new manikin an exciting and cool addition to the simulation center.

鈥淭his manikin gives the students a good learning experience,鈥� Easter said. 鈥淭he other manikins are quiet, but this manikin can talk to you and tell you if it鈥檚 in pain. I like the fact that it can change genders, talk to us, and feels so real. We have many opportunities for the students to practice procedures like giving an injection, checking its pulse, and more.鈥�

The School of Nursing received more than 30 suggestions for potential names for the manikin via Facebook. After the faculty narrowed it down to four names, nursing students voted for the winner. The other three finalists included Riley, Peyton, and Taylor.

鈥淥ur faculty have named the manikins in the past, but we wanted this to be more of an experience and a way to get our students and the community involved,鈥� Hall said.

Paula Rocha, a senior nursing major from Little Rock, is the person who suggested the winning name of Charlie after her daughter.

鈥淚 am so excited for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock nursing students,鈥� Rocha said. 鈥淭hey get to experience this incredible technology that will turn them into safe, amazing nurses. I originally thought of the name 鈥楥harlie鈥� for the manikin because it is gender neutral and my 3-year-old is named Charlie. Charlie keeps us on our toes. She is my wild child, much like the manikins keep nursing students on their toes in sim. I think it鈥檚 the perfect fit for a pediatric simulation.鈥�

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