Meet Our New Faculty
Dr. Suzanne Ameringer
With more than 27 years of experience in nursing, Dr. Ameringer is a welcome addition to the VCU faculty. Last summer, Dr. Ameringer and her husband, a professor in VCU’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, made the move from Osh Kosh, Wis. last summer.
Dr. Ameringer’s major teaching assignments involve nursing of children. Her focus on children is also evident in her research which focuses on pain management techniques for adolescents with cancer.
Since joining the VCU faculty, Dr. Ameringer has been impressed with the School’s commitment to both education and research. “The research occurring here is so exciting. Our faculty are conducting meaningful studies that can positively impact our patients,” she said. “The School of Nursing also places a strong emphasis on providing a great education. We successfully balance teaching and research with a commitment to community service.”
Dr. Ameringer received her BS from Towson University in 1980. After years of working as a nurse, she decided to pursue her master’s and docotoral degrees at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. She earned her MS in 2003 and her PhD in 2007.
Dr. Ching-Yu Cheng
Last June, Dr. Cheng joined the School of Nursing staff, a year after receiving her PhD from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Cheng’s teaching assignments are in women’s health.
Like other faculty, Dr. Cheng was impressed by VCU’s Center for Biobehavioral Clinical Research (CBCR) and its clear commitment to making new research discoveries. The School’s new building, relationship with the hospital and commitment to inter-disciplinary collaboration were also important strengths.
“The faculty here is very supportive and the School is focused on technology. The new technologies that are applied in the classroom are fantastic and wonderful for the students,” Dr. Cheng said.
Currently, Dr. Cheng’s research concerns the health of pregnant women and postpartum mothers. Her study focuses on various aspects of health and factors that influence health.
Dr. Cheng received her MSN from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1995 and her BSN from the Taipei Medical University, Taiwan in 1988.
Dr. Carolyn Driscoll
Dr. Driscoll joined the School of Nursing faculty in August after several years at the University of Tennessee School of Nursing.
While Dr. Driscoll enjoyed her time at the University of Tennessee, she wanted to move closer to her family in New York and find a larger university in an urban setting. After meeting Dean Nancy Langston at a nursing research meeting, she quickly realized that the VCU School of Nursing was an ideal location for her.
The School’s CBCR also influenced her decision to join the faculty. Dr. Driscoll’s research focuses on the relationship between genetics and the development of diabetes related to liver disease. Specifically she’s examining the development of diabetes following a liver transplant.
“The CBCR and the School’s senior researchers are an incredible resource for the faculty. I’ve received such wonderful feedback on my own research. The faculty provides a supportive, collegial environment that isn’t too competitive,” she said.
Dr. Driscoll received her undergraduate degree from the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, N.Y. In 1992, she received her MSN from the University of Virginia followed by a post-mater’s certificate in 1998. In 2005, Dr. Driscoll earned her PhD from the University of Tennessee.
Dr. Tracy S. Estes
Dr. Estes joined the School of Nursing faculty in July 2008 after completing her PhD at Virginia Commonwealth University. She will graduate in August 2008 with a Master of Science in Clinical Research and Biostatistics from the School of Medicine Department of Biostatistics. She completed her Family Nurse Practitioner program in 2001 at Virginia Commonwealth University and Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in 1995 at the University of Florida.
During her dissertation phase, Dr. Estes worked as the Nurse Researcher for Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center in Mechanicsville. She worked with staff nurses to implement evidence-based practice and coordinated nursing research for the hospital. Currently, Dr. Estes works as a Nurse Practitioner in a local allergy and asthma clinic. Her research focus at present is maximizing clinical outcomes in persons with asthma. Her teaching has included health assessment, nursing technologies, research in nursing, and evidence-based practice in nursing.
Dr. Estes was impressed with the vast resources and opportunities for research collaboration at the School of Nursing and within the University system. “I enjoyed my time as a student while at the School of Nursing. Now I am ready to make a career with those that made me a researcher.”
Dr. Linda Haddad
In the Spring of 2007, Dr. Haddad left a faculty position in Amman, Jordan to join the VCU School of Nursing. She brings a wealth of experience in nursing and nursing education.
Dr. Haddad’s research interests focus on smoking cessation programs for middle-aged adults. Smoking is a major public health issue in the Middle East. An estimated 40 percent of Jordanians are smokers.
Since joining the VCU faculty, Dr. Haddad has been pleased with the School of Nursing’s commitment to research and education and its impressive new educational buildings.
“The School places an important focus on research. The CBCR and other faculty provide a supportive environment for moving research ideas into action. I joined the faculty at a very exciting time in the School’s history,” she said.
In 1985, Dr. Haddad received her BSN from Jordan University in Amman, Jordan. She moved to the United States to continue her education, earning an MSN from the University of Pennsylvania and her PhD from the University of Maryland in 1993.
Dr. Linda Hughes
Dr. Hughes joined the VCU School of Nursing in [August or January]. Prior to joining the VCU faculty, Hughes served as a research associate professor and postdoctoral fellow at the University of North Carolina School of Nursing.
Dr. Hughes earned her PhD at the University of Texas at Austin in 1993 after more than 20 years as a critical care nurse and nurse manager. She received her MSN from Texas Woman’s University in 1978 and her BSN from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1972.
Currently, Dr. Hughes teaches in the Nursing Administration and Leadership program. Her interest in hospital organizational structure and nurses' work environment led to her interest in studying nurses’ use of discretion in clinical decision-making and its implications for patient outcomes. Specifically, her research is focused on better understanding the link between the clinical decisions made by nurses at the patient's bedside and the extent to which such decisions minimize unnecessary treatment delays and failure to rescue during hospitalization.
Since joining the VCU School of Nursing, Dr. Hughes has been impressed with the faculty, the School’s CBCR and the strong working relationship between the hospital and the School.
“I think I have a great opportunity to contribute to the growth of the school,” she said. “I’ve been so impressed with the faculty here and the supportive team spirit at the school.”
Dr. Victoria Menzies
Dr. Menzies is one of the newest members of the School’s Adult Health faculty. She joined VCU in January after serving as assistant professor at Florida International University.
While Dr. Menzies is new to VCU, she has strong ties to Virginia. She attended the University of Virginia School of Nursing where she earned her MSN in Psychiatric Nursing in 2000 and her PhD in Nursing Research in 2004. Prior to attending UVA, Dr. Menzies worked as a nurse and nurse educator for nearly 30 years.
She is a graduate of the Asbury Hospital School of Nursing and holds a BA in English from Columbia University and a Master’s in Education from Temple University.
The School of Nursing’s CBCR was a factor in Dr. Menzies’ decision to come to VCU. She recently completed a pilot study examining the effects of guided imagery and relaxation on Hispanic patients with Fibromyalgia.
As she expands her research, Dr. Menzies will examine the relationships among psychological factors (such as stress), immune function biomarkers and physical symptoms (pain, fatigue and functional ability).
“I’m thrilled to be at the VCU School of Nursing. The School has such a supportive, collaborative faculty focused on advancing nursing research,” Dr. Menzies said.
