Curriculum Vita

Name:Barbalee Symm, PhD, RN

Rank:Clinical AssociateProfessor and Director of Health Science Studies

Department:Health, Human Performance, and Recreation

Degrees in Higher Education

2004Ph.D., Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Health Studies with emphasis in Higher Education

1987M.S., Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas with emphasis in Allied Health Education and Health Care Administration

1978B.S., Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas with emphasis in Health Care Management

1964Diploma in Nursing, Lillie Jolly School of Nursing, Memorial Baptist Hospital, Houston, Texas

Professional Experience

Certifications and Licensure

1990 - 2004Diplomat, The American Board Of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians

1985- PresentCRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician) Certification, IAHCSM, Chicago, IL.

1985-1990 CRCST Instructorship Certification, IAHCSM, Chicago, IL.

1964-PresentRN License #218620 expires September 30, 2015

Academic Experience

2010-Present Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Health Science Studies—School of Education; Baylor University; Waco, Texas

2009– 2010Associate Professor and Director of Health Science Studies– School of Education; Baylor University; Waco, Texas

2006 – 2009Assistant Professor and Director of Healthcare Administration – College of Business; Concordia University; Austin, Texas

2004 – 2006Adjunct Faculty – Department of Health Studies—Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas

Other Professional Experience

Scott & White, Temple, Texas 1973-2005

1998 - 2005Administrator of Preventive Care, Department of Family Medicine, Responsible for planning, implementation, direction, evaluation, and continual improvement of the Scott & White Chronic Disease Management Program including curriculum design and staff development. Annual coordination of organizational flu immunization program. Administrative responsibility for nursing practice of 150 Scott & White Regional Clinic ambulatory nursing staff, including assessment of learning needs, annual nursing education events, and competency assessment. Major role in departmental Division of Research serving as co-investigator of several funded studies, and primary investigator of two funded studies.

1991 - 2001Family Medicine Clerkship Curriculum Administrator

Responsible for Family Medicine curriculum development and evaluation for third year Texas A&M medical students (six week course) in collaboration with family medicine academic staff.

1988 - 1998Regional Clinic Quality Assurance Coordinator

Responsible for the development, implementation, and management of an ambulatory care quality assurance program encompassing the practice of more than fifty physicians in ten regional clinics. In a politically sensitive arena, developed relationships that allowed and encouraged physicians' willingness to analyze the nature and substance of their own practice. Identified criteria, conducted data collection, provided data analysis, and disseminated results in numerous studies demonstrating the quality of care of each physician practicing in the regional clinics. Conducted regular administrative reviews of operational procedures regional clinic-wide.Provided managerial and administrative direction for numerous departmental programs, including administrative direction for regional clinic nursing staff.

1984 - 1988Materials Management Nurse Coordinator

Directed interdepartmental team efforts to identify patient care equipment needs and define acceptable and cost effective product standards. Served as a consultant to numerous clinic areas regarding sterilization, safe and proper use of chemical disinfectants, and inventory control. Managed the implementation of new programs designed to enhance patient care capabilities such as the exchange cart program and pediatric admixture program including the preparation and delivery of the necessary education programs. Developed curriculum, obtained accreditation for, managed, and administered Central Service Technician Training Program.

1973 – 1984Staff nurse and relief charge nurse in many hospital areas including ICU, ER, IV therapy, and telemetry unit, primarily on a part-time basis.

Brackenridge Hospital, Austin, Texas

1971-1972Charge Nurse, Intensive Care Unit

Supervised the work efforts of all RNs and ancillary personnel for an eighteen bed critical care unit. Coordinated all interdepartmental work efforts, and delivered direct patient care.

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Chemico Construction Corp., Texas City, Texas; and Badger Construction, Pasadena, Texas

1968-1969Industrial Nurse

Provided health care and immediate injury assessment for a 500-man work force.Primary interface with third party carrier. Assisted with cost accounting and payroll.

Southmore Hospital, Pasadena, Texas

1967 - 1967Head Nurse, Operating Room

Managed all operating room activities of a five-room suite. Provided direct and indirect supervision of all OR personnel. Responsible for budgeting and scheduling of department

Studebaker Hospital, Norwalk, California

1964 - 1966Staff Nurse - Greeley West High School (5A); Greeley, Colorado

Served as circulating nurse and scrub nurse in a six room operating suite. Served as charge nurse in newborn nursery responsible for the care of all infants for any given shift.

Undergraduate and Graduate Teaching

Courses Taught

Baylor University

  • HED 5378Health Policy and Health Education Administration
  • HED 4V80Professional Internship
  • HED 4V79Internship Human Performance
  • HED 3311Essentials of Ethics in Health Care
  • HED 2313Consumer Health
  • HED 1350Dimensions of Health Science Studies

Texas Woman’s University

  • HS 4363Consumer Health
  • HS 3073Program Planning
  • HS 5563Consumer Issues
  • HS 6423Global Health

Concordia University, Austin, Texas

  • HCA 3341Consumer Issues in Healthcare
  • HCA 3315Quality Management in Healthcare
  • HCA 4410 Healthcare Administration Practicum
  • HCA 3341Essentials of Healthcare Ethics

Research and Scholarship

Book Chapters

Zazworsky, Donna,Jane N. Bolin and Vicki Gaubeca, (Eds.). 2005. Handbook ofDiabetes Diabetes Management. Springer/Kluewer Academic Publishers, New York, NY, 2005. Part 5, Case Study 3: The Scott & White Experience: Chronic Disease Management on a Shoe String.Barbalee Symm, Michael Reis

Journal Articles

Referred Journal Publications

  • Symm B, Forjuoh SN, Averitt M, Preece C, “Effects of Using Free Sample Medications on the Prescribing Practice of Family Physicians.” The Journal Of The American Board of Family Medicine, 2006;19(5):443-449.
  • Forjuoh SN, Reis TG, Symm B, Couchman GR, Mason S, O’Banon R. “Physician Response to Written Feedback on a Potential Medication Error Found with Their Elderly Ambulatory Patient.” J American Geriatrics Society, 2005;53(12):2173-77.
  • Symm B, Morgan M, Blackshear Y, Tinsley S. “ Cigar Smoking: An Ignored Public Health Threat,” The Journal of Primary Prevention, June 2005:26(4).
  • Forjuoh SN, Rascoe TG, Edwards JC, Symm B. “Teaching Medical Students Complementary and Alternative Medicine Using Evidence-Based Principles,” The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, June 2003;9(3):429-35.
  • Forjuoh SM, Averitt, WM, Cauthen DB, Symm B, Couchman GR, Mitchell, M. “Open-Access Appointment Scheduling in Family Practice: Comparison of a Demand Prediction Grid with Actual Appointments,” The Journal Of The American Board Of Family Practice, July-August 2001;14:259-65.
  • Madsen J, Symm B."Editorial Response- Communication in Consultation Process," The Journal Of The American Board Of Family Practice, 1995 Jan-Feb;8(1)77:8.
  • Cauthen DB, Symm B, Cullison M, Peterson RF."Use Effectiveness of the Cytobrush in the Primary Care Setting," The Journal Of The American Board Of Family Practice, July-August 1992; 5(4): 365-8

Non-refereed Publication

Invited Articles

  • Symm B."Viruses-A Review," Communique, IAHCSM, July-August 1988.
  • Symm B."On Being a Central Service Technician," Communique, IAHCSM September-October 1988.
  • Symm B."Chemistry-Getting Down to the Basics," Communique, IAHCSM, November-December 1988.
  • Symm B."For C.S. Techs Only," Communique, IAHCSM, January-February 1989.
  • Symm B."Measuring with Metrics," Communique, IAHCSM, March-April 1989.
  • Symm B."C.S. Techs--From Another Perspective", Communique, IAHCSM, July-August 1989.
  • Symm B."Blood," Communique, IAHCSM, September-October 1989.
  • Symm B."A Holiday Gift for You" Communique, IAHCSM, Nov-December 1989.
  • Symm B."Waste: A Terrible Thing to Mind," Communique, IAHCSM, January-February 1990.
  • Symm B."A Letter for You," Communique, IAHCSM, March-April 1990.

Other

  • Symm B."Hospital Mattresses-A Product Evaluation," Journal Of Healthcare Material Management, January 1987.
  • Symm B."Marketing Central Service-Why and How," Journal Of Healthcare Material Management, December 1987.

Professional Presentations

  • Smith K, Symm B, Johnston D. “The Internship Edge at Baylor University” Poster Presentation Presented at Texas Association for Advisors in the Health Professions State Meeting/Conference, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, February 14, 2014.
  • Symm B. “Computer Lab Teaching and Learning Strategies” Presented at Baylor University’s Educational Technology Showcase, Waco, TX, April 8, 2010.
  • Symm B. “I am a Nurse: Stress Management in Nursing” Presented at Hillcrest Healthcare System Nurses’ Week Program, Waco, TX, May 4, 2010.
  • Symm B. “Assessing Program Outcomes” Presented at AUPHA Undergraduate Workshop, Nashville, TN, October 11, 2008.
  • Symm B.“Effects of Sample Medications on the Prescribing Practices of Physicians” Scott & White Nursing Research Conference, March 24, 2005
  • Symm B, Averitt M, Forjuoh SN. Effects of sample medications on prescribing practice.

33rd Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group, Quebec City,

PQ, Canada, Oct 15-18, 2005.

  • Symm B. “Patient Safety: Why All the Hubbub?” Scott & White Ambulatory Care Nursing Forum; Temple, TX; February, 2005.
  • Symm B, Reis MD, Forjuoh SN, Couchman GR, Mason S, O’Banon, Williams J, Impact of a Physician Notification Intervention in Miscommunication Related Medication Error Reduction in Ambulatory Care, Presented in Orlando, FL at the National Primary Care Research Group Scientific Assembly, October 14, 2004.
  • Symm B. Reis MD, Couchman GR, Mason S, O’Banon R, Williams J, Miscommunication as a Cause of Medication Errors in Elderly Ambulatory Patients, Presented at the SCOPE Collaborative, Gunderson Lutheran Health System, La Crosse WI, June 7-8, 2003.
  • Symm B. Reis MD, Couchman GR, Mason S, O’Banon R, Williams J, Miscommunication as a Cause of Medication Errors in Elderly Ambulatory Patients, Presented at the Nursing Research Conference, Scott & White, Temple TX, May 22, 2003.
  • Reis MD, Forjuoh SN, Couchman GR, Symm B, Mason S, O’Banon R, Feedback to Physicians Regarding Potential Discrepancies in Medications in Elderly Ambulatory Patients, Presented at the 4th Convention of the American Academy of Family Practice National Network, Arlington, VA, March 20-23, 2003.
  • Forjuoh SN, Henry RA, Rascoe TG, Symm B, Edwards JC, Impact of a Short Interactive Curriculum on Medical Students’ Appreciation of EBM and CAM, Presented at the Association for Medical Education in Europe 2001 Conference, Berlin, Germany, Sept. 2-5, 2001.
  • Averitt WM, Forjuoh SN, Cauthen DB, Symm B, Mitchell M, Open Access to Maximize Patient Appointments: Comparison of One Family Practice Prediction Grid with Another Grid and Actual Patient Appointments. Presented at the 28th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group, Amelia Island, FL, Nov. 4-7, 2000.
  • Symm B, Schoolar K, Couchman GR. Electronically Enhancing Post-education Communication with Diabetic Patients in Out-lying Areas. Presented at the American Academy of Family Physicians Scientific Assembly, Orlando, FL, Sept. 15-19, 1999.
  • Couchman GR, Symm B, Fritz JS. Disease Management of Diabetes Utilizing Medical Informatics. Presented at the American Academy of Family Physicians Scientific Assembly, Orlando, FL, Sept 15-19, 1999.
  • Couchman GR, Symm B, Cortes R, Price ML. Case Management of Congestive Heart Failure Utilizing Medical Informatics. Presented at the American Academy of Family Physicians Scientific Assembly, Orlando, FL,
    Sept 15-19, 1999.
  • Averitt WM, Symm B, Mitchell M, Cauthen DB. Utilization of a Data Warehouse to Optimize patient Access. Presented at the American Academy of Family Physicians Scientific Assembly, Orlando, FL, Sept 15-19, 1999.
  • Symm B, Sterile Processing in Ambulatory Care. Presented at the Scott & White Ambulatory Care Nursing Forum; Temple, TX; February 1996.
  • Symm B, Plan for Success. Presented at the Health Care Material Management Society National Meeting; May 1988.
  • Symm B, Putting the Pieces Together. Presented at the Health Care Material Management Society National Meeting; Nashville, Tennessee; October 1987.
  • Symm B, Projecting Your Image. Presented at the Health Care Material Management Society National Meeting; Las Vegas, Nevada; June 1987.

Journals Reviewed

  • Peer Reviewer of manuscripts for The Journal of Health Administration Education
  • Peer Reviewer of manuscripts for The Journal of General Internal Medicine

Grants and Contracts

External Support

S&W 8166Forjuoh (PI) 10/01/02 – 09/30/03

American Medical Group Association, National Committee for Quality Assurance & Pharmacia, “Miscommunication as a Cause of Medication Errors in Elderly Ambulatory Patients”To improve patient safety by identifying the types of miscommunication that may lead to medication errors and injury in the ambulatory or outpatient healthcare setting.

Role: Co-Investigator

Funding: $50,000

S&W 8470Symm (PI)6/1/03-6/1/04

American Medical Association Foundation

“Food Diary: Breaking the Literacy Barrier to Diabetes Self-Management”

To design a pictorial tool for teaching self management skills to people with diabetes who have low literacy or low health literacy.

Role: Co-PI

Funding: $4,000

S&W 050244 Forjuoh (PI)7/1/05-06/30/06

Health Services Research Program-School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M Health Science Center, “Enhancing Self-Care Activities of Patients with Diabetes Using a PDA: A Pilot Study”

To determine if the use a PDA can assist patients with diabetes achieve self management skills.”

Role: Co-Investigator and Project Manager

Funding: $43,206

Internal Support

S&W 8685Symm (PI)2/26/04-2/25/05

Scott & White

“Effects of Sample Medications on the Prescribing Practices of Physicians”

To determine if there are differences in the prescribing practices of physicians who dispense free samples and those physicians who do not dispense free samples.

Role: PI

Funding: $3,000

Service

Professional

Affiliations

  • National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions 2010-Present
  • Southeastern Association of Advisors for the Health Professions 2010-Present
  • Texas Association of Advisor for the Health Professions 2010-Present
  • Medical Group Practice Association (MGMA), Faculty Member 2006 -2008
  • Texas Medical Group Practice Association (TMGPA), Faculty Member, 2006 – 2008
  • Undergraduate Council on Research, Faculty Member, 2014

University, School, and Department

Concordia University

  • Concordia Healthcare Administration Student Professional Association (CHASPA)- Faculty Sponsor
  • Upsilon Phi Delta-Honors Organization for Healthcare Administration Majors – Faculty sponsor
  • Special Credential Award Committee – Member 2006-2008
  • Admissions Committee – Member 2006-2008
  • Search Committee-Proposed Nursing Program Director 2007-2008

`Baylor University

  • Member, HHPR Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, 2009 – present
  • Pre-health Advisory Committee, 2009- present
  • Member, Professional Development Committee, School of Education, 2010-2013
  • Invitation to Excellence Faculty, 2010-Present
  • Graduate Internship Committee for two MPH students 2011-2012
  • Professor for Honors student research 2010-2011
  • Search Committee for HHPR Chair 2012-2013
  • Search Committee for Exercise Physiology Faculty 2012-1013
  • Search Committee for Health Science Studies Faculty, 2013
  • Member, Curriculum Committee, College of Health and Human Sciences 2013-2014.

Religious Congregation

  • St Paul Lutheran Church, The Grove, Texas

Academic and Professional Honors and Awards

  • 2005Scott and White Health Plan Outstanding Service Award for Quality Improvement Initiatives
  • 1999American Academy of Family Physicians Annual Scientific Assembly, First Place, Medical Informatics Presentation, “Electronically Enhancing Post-Education Communication with Diabetic Patients in Out-lying Areas.”
  • 1995 Texas Academy of Family Practice Annual Assembly and Scientific Program- Best Teaching Exhibit.
  • 1994 Texas Academy of Family Practice Annual Assembly and Scientific Program- Best Teaching Exhibit.
  • 1990IAHCSMM President's Award, IAHCSMM.
  • 1987Outstanding Graduate Student in Allied Health Science, Southwest Texas State University.
  • 1978B.S. with honors.
  • 1964 Outstanding Graduating Student in Obstetrics, Lillie Jolly School of Nursing.

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