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NCLEX-RN Report: 96 Percent of Barry University
’07 Graduates Pass Licensing Exam The University of Miami School of Nursing and

Health Studies Receives Grant
Ninety-six (96) percent of Barry University’s School of Nursing graduating class in
May 2007 passed their National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse
test, Dean Pegge Bell, PhD announced. From the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation
“I am so proud of our graduates,” Bell stated. “I am equally proud of our faculty,
who have spent so much time developing our students. This is just monumental for
us.” The University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies has
Barry University’s School of Nursing had 97 students graduate this past May, the received a grant of $30,000 from the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation to
largest class in its history of undergraduate nurses. With those candidates sitting for support scholarships for students in a new Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
the exam, BU’s pass rates technically average 95.88 percent—just below the main (ACNP) MSN program. The scholarships will support students in the ACNP
campus of the University of Florida (96.41 percent) with 161 out of 167 candidates program for the 2007-2008 academic year.
passing, and Nova Southeastern University (97 percent), with 65 out of 67 candidates “Acute Care Nurse Practitioners are invaluable in responding to hospital-
passing. based emergencies,” said Dr. Nilda Peragallo, DrPH, RN, FAAN, dean of
Barry’s School of Nursing, though, is ahead of such schools as Florida State University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies. “In many
University (92.86 percent), Florida Atlantic University (88.42 percent), Broward instances, they can help prevent a patient death or avert an Intensive Care
Community College (87 percent), the University of Miami (85 percent), Florida Unit admission. Given the critical nursing shortage, the decreasing number
International University (84.85 percent), Miami Dade College (75.94 percent) and of hospital-based physicians, and emergency department overcrowding,
Florida Gulf Coast University (72.58 percent).
ACNPs fill an important void in the local health care system.”

Community Smiles President

Receives Special Recognition Miami VA Recognized as ‘Best in VA’

Robert W. Carey 2007 Trophy Award Winner
The Florida Department of Health along with the
Miami Dade Health Department, honored the President
of Community Smiles, Dr. Robert L. Perdomo III, at The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 2007 Robert W. Carey Performance Excellence
their annual Volunteer Recognition Reception held at Awards program recognizes Department organizations that have achieved performance
South Miami Hospital’s, Victor E. Clarke Education excellence. The Award promotes systems management awareness and implementation
Center. Dr. Perdomo received the “Volunteer Dentist of through the Department; provides a model against which organizations can assess their
the Year” award. He was instrumental in his capacity as transformation efforts, organizational effectiveness, and performance compared to other
president of Community Smiles, a volunteer, not-for- Dr. Robert L. Perdomo III public and private sector organization; and inspires organizations and individuals to do
profit organization serving the indigent’s oral healthcare their best to improve throughout the VA.
needs, in obtaining the funds to keep this 60 year old organization alive. Dr. The Carey Trophy Award is the Department’s highest recognition which includes
Perdomo has been volunteering for 15 years, setting a powerful example to his com- Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and
munity. He has clearly shown his leadership in the manner he has conducted him- National Cemetery Administration (NCA) for organizational excellence and follows the
self and in the results of his leadership. He is a credit to his profession and is respect- Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Criteria.
ed by his peers.

South Florida Hospital News hospitalnews.org December 2007 35