The Department of Nursing congratulates Dr. Carol Rossman who successfully completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at Oakland University in December. As a part of her doctoral program she completed a scholarly project entitled "An Asset Approach to Building Healthier Communities: A Retrospective Case Study of an Urban Planning Process". Dr. Rossman participated in graduation exercises in Rochester on December 13, 2008. A brief description of Dr. Rossman’s project follows:
This retrospective case study examines a distressed urban neighborhood’s participation in a community building process of urban planning for community improvement. This process used an asset approach to community building. Three charrets were held with community residents. Themes that emerged described the community, identified community asset and felt needs, and how community participation result in capacity building and creation of collective efficacy. The process of coming together to create an urban plan resulted in creation of a healthier community. This is important to community health nurses and other healthcare professionals who can be leaders and innovators of change to improve the health of their communities and the individuals and families who live there.
