Mona Newsome Wicks, PhD, RN is Professor and Associate Dean for Research in the College of Nursing at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. A graduate of Hamilton High School, Dr. Wicks received her Associate of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Memphis in 1978 and 1981. She received MSN and PhD degrees from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and Wayne State University in 1987 and 1992, respectively. Her research interests include minority, family caregiver, and women’s health within the context of chronic illness; health promotion/risk reduction; and health disparities. Dr. Wicks is completing a National Institute of Nursing Research, NIH-funded study that tests whether a cognitive behavioral support group reduces depressive and anxiety symptoms in African American women caring for relatives receiving chronic hemodialyis. She also serves as co-investigator on a National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities NIH-funded Exploratory Center of Excellence grant. Dr. Wicks currently advises PhD students and is Director of the college's Office of Research and Grant Support. She is a life-time member of the Greater Memphis Area Chapter of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and Vice President of Beta Theta Chapter at-large Sigma Theta Tau International, Inc., and member of the Tennessee and American Nurses Associations, Southern Nursing Research Society, and Council for the Advancement of Nursing Research. She was recently invited to serve as a member of the Health Disparities and Equity Promotion Review Group for the Center for Scientific Review at the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Wicks is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Executive Nurse Fellow (2008-2011) and was selected as Outstanding Alumna by The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Nursing in 2009. She will be inducted as a fellow into the American Academy of Nursing in November 2010. Dr. Wicks has received institutional, regional, and national awards for her teaching and mentoring skills and is a co-author on some 50 peer reviewed published manuscripts and abstracts. Her personal interests include walking, reading, gardening, and mentoring minority high school and college students interested in health and science careers. She serves as secretary on the Board of Directors of Mustard Seed, Inc., a faith-based 501 (3c) organization that empowers families living in an urban, disadvantaged neighborhood. Dr. Wicks is married to Sammie Wicks and has one son, Sammie James "Jamie" Wicks II.

CITIZEN PATRIOT • LIBBY MARCH Brandy St. John, of Jackson, smiles at her husband, Michael St. John, before their commencement from Jackson Community College Saturday afternoon at the Potter Center. Brandy and her husband, Michael St. John, are graduating. Brandy has been working on her nursing certificate part-time for the past four years and become a Registered Nurse, and Michael has spent the past two going to school full-time to get his Associates degree in Business Administration. Michael starts Monday to begin working toward his Bachelors degree and Brandy will continue school to transition from being an RN to an LPN, or Licensed Practical Nurse.