Dr. Lois C. Hamel

Director for Distance Nursing program

Lois Hamel obtained independent NP practice status in Maine and volunteers at a nurse-run free clinic weekly to maintain her national certification in adult primary care. Previously, she was the Director of Education, Regional Director, and a gerontological consultant for SBS, Inc., providing gerontological services in contracted nursing homes for behavioral care problems. She has taught for over 10 years in undergraduate and graduate nursing & health professions programs, including the University of Southern Maine (pioneering some of their distance education health courses), the University of Vermont and Westbrook College.

Interests
Meta synthesis theoretical model development in process on the notion of "Promoting Thriving Skill" enhancement. Analyzing clinical settings and academic settings to promote (through support and education--which are themselves our most basic nursing roles) the patient OR the student to have MORE self-reliance tools to BETTER manage and navigate their respective systems.

Work/Publications
Access to Health care, Reaching medically underserved populations for chronic disease screenings, Gerontology, Geropharmacology, Dementia, holistic care management of behavioral problems associated with dementia, End of life, Women's health adolescence to senescence, Coping with (Strategies for Managing) Gestational Diabetes, GYN oncology, and Sexual Health Promotion in midlife and elders, Teaching innovations, use of humor in teaching, making learning fun, demonstrating caring for the learner in a caring profession.