Nurse-Managed Wellness Center
Mission
The mission of the Duquesne University School of Nursing Nurse-Managed Wellness Center (NMWC) is to provide wellness oriented health care services to vulnerable populations. The goal is to deliver holistic and culturally competent care that promotes health, functioning, and quality of life. The Center provides opportunities for interdisciplinary care experiences, service and research for students and faculty from the University. In all aspects of care, the uniqueness and strengths of the community and of each individual receiving care are maximized and respected. Confidentiality and awareness of each individual’s rights to choose are maintained.
Background
- 1994 - School of Nursing faculty established the first nurse-managed wellness center (NMWC) in St. Justin Plaza, a high-rise apartment building for older adults in Mt. Washington.
- Opened a second NMWC in K. Leroy Irvis Tower, a high-rise apartment building, in the Hill District with funding from a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Outreach Partnership Grant.
- 2004 - third NMWC opened in the South Side Senior Center with a grant from the Birmingham Foundation.
- Five additional NMWCs were established at Senior Centers across the City through collaboration with the SeniorInterests program of the City of Pittsburgh.
- The most recent additions to the NMWC sites include Sylvania Place and Ormsby Manor.
The NMWC has also received funding through the Presbyterian-University Hospital Nurse’ Alumnae Association and the Community-Based Health Care Assistance Grant for Resources (RFA 01-07-07) for 2002-2003. Most recently, the Ryan Memorial Foundation funded the RN+WIN Project.
Goals
- Provide nursing and health science students with community-based, cross cultural health care experiences
- Provide health promotion/disease prevention activities
- Improve functioning and quality of life.
- Delay or aid in the prevention of complications from chronic health conditions
- Facilitate self-management of health
- Increase participation in Center activities
- Promote more appropriate use of the health care system
- Increase the ability of clients to live independently for longer periods of time
- Deliver culturally competent care by interdisciplinary health care providers
- Develop a model that can be replicated in other high-rises and community sites
- Document outcomes that can be applied to other populations
Services/Programs
- Blood pressure screening
- Health screening
- Functional/safety assessments
- Chair exercises
- Brown bag medicine review days
- Nutrition education programs
- Health education programs
Some examples of special programs are: Computer classes, Health Fairs, Annual Flu Shot Clinics, the Container Garden Project (in collaboration with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and local farmers), the Walk & Win Programs, the Weigh-In & Win Programs, Senior Nutrition Programs, and Movie Nights.
Awards and Recognitions
- 1996 - Awarded a Archon Award by Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society.
- 1997 - the Butler Visiting Nurses Association adopted the Duquesne University School of Nursing NMWC Model and opened three NMWC.
- 1999 - St. Justin Plaza NMWC awarded a Best Practice Award from HUD Neighborhood Networks.
- Both NMWCs at St. Justin Plaza and K. Leroy Irvis Towers received a Certificate of Honor from the Hospital Council of Western Pennsylvania in recognition for their excellence and impact in improving community health.
