Humble. Funny. Positive. Warm. Those are just some of the fond words colleagues use to describe Michael Ward, PhD, RTR, FASRT, vice dean of student affairs and diversity for Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College.

"I call him a king among people," says Angie Wade, director of communications and marketing at the college. Her team reports to Dr. Ward. "He's very humble so people don't always see how much he has done in so many people's lives, including our students and the people who work alongside him. He's also a very funny person. We tease each other all the time."

Wade and other Goldfarb team members say they will miss these qualities, along with his positive leadership style, strategic planning skills and signature bow tie as Dr. Ward retires from the college at the end of 2022.

Phillip Campbell, Ed.D, director of student support and engagement, joined Goldfarb School of Nursing in February 2021 while the college was still in a virtual setting. His skill set was timed perfectly for the new reality of virtual and hybrid education.

He chose to come to Goldfarb after learning the college was looking for someone to be innovative in support services. "Goldfarb wanted to lean into change to better meet student needs—this appealed to me," Phillip says. "I was excited to join the community and bring a different lens. I'm not a nurse or healthcare administrator, but I am an educator and a community-oriented, service-minded professional so my skills can be incorporated into practices and operations here."

Native Californian, Jovan Romero, has been exploring career options since he graduated high school in 2012—all centered around helping others.

He first worked at a veterinarian hospital. At age 20, he started working as an ABA (applied behavioral analysis) therapist for children with autism.

"I fell in love with that and it made me realize how much I enjoy working with kids," Jovan says. "I saw how rewarding it was."

All his experiences eventually melded to point him toward nursing. "I've always enjoyed taking care of people and nursing feels like the right fit," he says.

Daunted by the long waiting period to get into nursing programs in California, he looked to the Midwest. On his quest to become a nurse, Jovan discovered Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College in St. Louis.

Jovan’s challenge was figuring out how to pay for his education with private loans after already taking out federal student loans

Just in time, Jovan got a call that he had received a full-ride scholarship to Goldfarb from BJC HealthCare. With his passion for working with kids, he plans to work at St. Louis Children's Hospital when he graduates. Jovan is also the first member of his family to go to college.

"The full-ride scholarship is awesome," he says. "I was stressed about how I was going to pay for nursing school so I really appreciate this scholarship."

Now is the time to adjust your schedule, be proactive, and adopt these healthy habits to protect your mental health and boost your mood—no matter what the clock says.
 

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association, presented its highest honor, The Margretta Madden Styles President’s Award, to Dr. Michael Ward, Vice Dean for Student Affairs and Diversity for Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College located in St. Louis, Missouri.

Dr. Ward received the prestigious award on October 13 at the 2022 ANCC National Magnet and Pathway to Excellence Conferences in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where nearly 11,000 nurses participated. According to ANCC, this was a record number of conference attendees for the organization.