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Lobo to chair Department of Health Promotion and Community Care

by Cindy Abole, Public Relations

The College of Nursing has appointed Marie Lobo, Ph.D., RN., FAAN, to chair the Department of Health Promotion and Community Care. She replaces Barbara Haight, DrPH., BSN., MN, FAAN, who has been named senior scholar to the college.

Lobo's focus will be to foster new research, build scholarship and manage traditional duties in the department. Her research and practice interests are in fostering healthy families and children within the community.

“I am pleased that Dr. Marie Lobo has agreed to provide leadership to the department of Health Promotion and Community Care,” said Maureen R. Keefe, Ph.D., dean of the College of Nursing. “She has been a role model for our faculty in the area of scholarly productivity and is committed to advancing the college's education, research and practice agenda. The Department of Health Promotion and Community Care will continue to thrive with Dr. Lobo as the chair.”

Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Lobo previously served as associate professor in the College of Nursing Graduate Program. She also served as interim coordinator for doctoral studies.

An American Academy of Nursing fellow, Lobo has received the South Carolina Perinatal Association's Pat on the Back Award for her work with the Charleston County Infant Mortality Task Force.

“I'd like to see us focus on optimizing the health of individuals, families and communities through the focus of our practice and research which takes place in the community,” Lobo said. “Dr. Haight has encouraged us to foster community interaction activities within a scholarly environment. I'd like to follow her lead.”

Already the author of numerous grants, scientific articles and presentations, Lobo wrote and manages the “Think First for Kids“ program for South Carolina schools, a Healthy South Carolina Initiative Project, which promotes the prevention of spinal cord and head injuries. She's also involved in a grant with Dean Keefe focusing on managing infant irritability.

She also coordinates a National Institute for Nursing Research grant called the Babies Can't Wait program evaluation.

Haight named senior scholar at CON

Barbara Haight, DrPH., BSN., FAAN, becomes the first faculty member named to the newly created position of senior scholar at the College of Nursing.

The title is awarded to an individual who has demonstrated consistent extramural funding for research activities and has a commitment to mentoring other potential scholars within nursing.

“Dr. Haight is the most deserving of this honor,” said Maureen R. Keefe, Ph.D., dean of the College of Nursing. “She will be continuing her research focused on the health care needs of the elderly. She has developed an outstanding program of research and has a true gift for motivating others to fulfill their highest potential.”

Partially funded, Haight's position focuses on grant writing, mentoring to students and instructors, plus other activities. She also provides ongoing leadership and supervision during research seminars for doctoral students in various specialties.

“This position sets a good example for others to work hard and achieve,” said Haight who is a fellow with the American Academy of Nursing, Gerontological Society of America and Florence Nightingale Society. “It allows me enough time to do the work I love.”

Haight, who is nationally and internationally known for her research in geriatric care, has worked in nursing for 40 years. Throughout her career, she's been able to recognize the many challenges associated with the nation's aging population. Her work enables academia to identify and understand the changing needs of geriatric patients.

Haight developed and manages the Healthy Aging Project, a Healthy South Carolina Initiative, defined as a community-based interdisciplinary health promotion program and clinic for elderly people living in subsidized housing. She is funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration and the State Office on Aging for rural projects that benefit the elderly in Denmark, Allendale and John's Island. Additionally, Haight is funded by the National Alzheimers Association and the Centers for Disease Control in two separate projects that test the efficacy of life review as an intervention to decrease depression and prevent suicide.

Haight has had more than 150 scientific articles published in nursing and peer-reviewed journals and has written more than 100 reviews and book chapters.