In October 2022, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) received an invitation from the United Nations to nominate candidates to serve on a new project: UN Global Surgery Learning Hub. This new program will offer online education for the surgical team – surgeons, anesthetists and perioperative nurses.
ICN President, Dr. Pam Cipriano, contacted the TCU Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences Director of Advanced Pain Management Fellowship and Associate Professor of Professional Practice in Nurse Anesthesia, Dr. Jackie Rowles, to ask her to serve on one of three committees.
“Honestly, I was stunned to have been selected and am so excited for this opportunity to represent nurse anesthetists on this level,” said Rowles.
The UN Global Surgery Learning Hub aims to address the development of the existing and future surgical care workforce, through training and education, as it is key to unlocking the enormous potential in low- and middle-income countries to build surgical systems.
“Surgery for all who need it; when they need it; and wherever they need it.”
The Content Committee is responsible for creating high-quality inclusion and exclusion criteria for global surgery e-learning content. This criterion will be used to measure current global surgery online learning materials for possible use in the Hub. After their review, the committee will recommend materials to be included. Further, the committee is tasked to continue to refine its criteria, document its decisions and submit progress reports on its content reviews.
“She has a global perspective and understanding of diverse populations and the skills and education needed by nurses and other clinicians across the surgical experience,” said Pamela Cipriano, ICN president. “Given her extensive experience developing traditional and online learning content for many aspects of advanced anesthesia care and pain management, she will ensure a strong nursing perspective is represented in the breadth and applicability of materials developed for the Learning Hub.”
The committee is composed of the United Nations project lead, seven surgeons, one anesthesiologist and Rowles – the only nurse. They will collaborate virtually and convene monthly to discuss their progress. The first meeting will be held the first week in February.
An Expert in Educating the Next Generation
Dr. Rowles’ years of experience developing online education programs coupled with her qualifications for teaching online were key factors in her selection. Her position as Director of the TCU Fellowship in Advanced Pain Management for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), an online educational program, and the development of the Nonsurgical Pain Management Core Modules, an online course offered through TCU and required for re-certification of the pain subspecialty board exam, are key examples of the expertise she brings in service to this initiative.
“We are proud of all of Jackie’s accomplishments here in the School of Nurse Anesthesia and are fortunate to have her here with us,” said Dr. Robyn Ward, director of the TCU Harris College School of Nurse Anesthesia.
Rowles has served as the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) and the US representative to the International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists (IFNA) for 12 years. She is currently in her fifth term as President of the IFNA and has forged key collaborations with multiple organizations.
Congratulations to Dr. Jackie Rowles for taking the Lead On global health initiatives that will impact medical education for generations to come.