Conversations on the Oaks Podcast
Episode 10: Preparing Nurses in the Pandemic

Dr. Sharon Hutchinson, dean of Dillard’s College of Nursing and she is also a Gloria
Kabacoff Endowed Professor in Teaching and Informatics. Photos: Sabree Hill/Dillard
University.
March 23, 2020
We consistently hear about the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the
healthcare profession. But, what about the challenges the pandemic has brought to
institutions charged with preparing healthcare professionals? Dr. Sharon Hutchinson,
dean of Dillard University's College of Nursing and Gloria Kabacoff Endowed Professor in Teaching and Informatics, discusses how
the program has managed the unexpected while staying on task to help prepare the next
generation of healthcare professionals.
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Episode 9 | 2020 Presidential Transition
Dr. Gary Clark, chair of Dillard University’s School of Social Sciences, and Professor Blair Condoll, assistant professor of political science, provide analysis about the transition from the Trump administration to Biden administration.
Episode 8 | Black Representation in Health Professions
Pre-Health Program advisor, Tracie Thomas, discusses how the program prepares students for health professions while boosting Black representation in the field.
Episode 7 | Celebrating Arts and Humanities
In recognition of National Arts and Humanities Month, Cortheal Clark, the chair of the University's School of Humanities talks about the importance of arts and humanities.
Episode 6 | The Art of Thinking of Big
Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes, director of Dillard Athletics, joins "Conversations on the Oaks" to talk about how she stays motivated to achieve lofty goals.
Episode 5 | Black Representation in Law
Adria Kimbrough, advisor for Dillard's Pre-Law Program, visits the podcast to talk about the steps the program takes to shatter barriers to Black representation in law.
Episode 4 | COVID-19 and Health Disparities
Researchers for Dillard's Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center, Dr. Amy Lesen and Dr. Peter Fos, discuss the work they have done to examine the disproportionate effect COVID-19 has had on the African American community.
Episode 3 | Growth Mindset
At Dillard, growth mindset is being used to increase student performance and achievement as part of the United Negro College Fund's Career Pathways Initiative. Dr. Cleo Allen, who leads the initiative along with Dr. Casey Schreiber, talks about the value of growth mindset and how it is being implemented at the University.
Episode 2 | Advancing Racial Justice
In the wake of an active summer (2020) of racial protests, Dr. Ashraf Esmail, discusses what it will take to advance racial justice and also what Dillard's Center for Racial Justice looks to accomplish.
Episode 1 | A Student Battles COVID-19
Taylor Gentry '22 opens up about her and her father's battle with COVID-19 while in her hometown Nashville during the summer of 2020. In an honest interview, she talks about letting her guard down and issues stern warnings to her peers.
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