Incident Response Faculty at Texas A&M University College of Nursing
August 2023
Incident Response Faculty
at Texas A&M University College of Nursing
Texas A&M School of Nursing
Bryan
,
TX
United States
Ashley Anderson, APRN, MSN, WHNP-BC
Wendy Greenwood, DNP, MS, APRN, AGCNS-BC, CPAN, CNOR
Bambi Lang, RN, MSN, FNP-BC
Tara Maxa, MSN, RN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, CNE, RNC-IAP, CHSE
Wendy Greenwood, DNP, MS, APRN, AGCNS-BC, CPAN, CNOR
Bambi Lang, RN, MSN, FNP-BC
Tara Maxa, MSN, RN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, CNE, RNC-IAP, CHSE
I am writing to nominate four Bryan campus faculty for the DAISY Team Award based on their response to the active shooter incident at the Health Science Center. Those faculty are Dr. Wendy Greenwood, Dr. Bambi Lang, Professor Ashley Anderson, and Professor Tara Maxa.
The faculty team with students in NURS 307 practicing in the CLRC demonstrated exceptional critical thinking and caring during and after the event. Although there was no official alert, they simultaneously received notice of the threat from me and from a student who received a text from a School of Medicine peer. Acting on limited information, they quickly moved into safety mode. They moved all students into the storeroom of the CLRC and secured the doors. Adrenaline likely had a part in this effort since they moved very heavy items to block entry. Students were further secured by moving as many as possible under tables and chairs.
Unaware of the group of 19 secured in the storeroom, police cleared HPEB. Someone reported that one group was missing from the evacuation staging area. When police returned to mobilize them, police were banging on the doors and shouting to get out. But no one inside the storeroom knew it was the police. Many believed it was the shooter. Those who lived the evacuation experience truly understand how chaotic that process was. To really understand the psychological impact, take a moment and imagine that feeling.
Professor Maxa’s student was not in the CLRC but had an equally terrifying experience. From the moment we were made aware of the event, she was concerned about getting her student safe as well. That student was working with the forensics team in CB1. The student texted that she was hiding under her desk but others around her were not taking the event seriously. The student’s anxiety and confusion with the response of others caused the student to lose her sense of security. She was emotionally distraught. All the while, Professor Maxa was trying to help the student in any way possible. Unfortunately, CB1 was the last site evacuated.
When everyone finally arrived at the staging area, many were shocked and crying. One repeatedly and tearfully asked to go home. Faculty quickly set aside their own emotions and sought out help with comforting the students. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners were mobilized to help specific students. Small groups of students were gathered to discuss what they had experienced; faculty were 100% focused on the students.
After the event, faculty sent emails to the students, conducted debriefs focusing on how to respond to similar emergencies, and provided tokens affirming “we made it.” I do not believe that my message has adequately described or detailed all that they did. What I can say is that we are blessed to have such caring persons in our midst. I am personally honored to work with these professionals. Their actions exemplify exactly why the DAISY Award was created.
The faculty team with students in NURS 307 practicing in the CLRC demonstrated exceptional critical thinking and caring during and after the event. Although there was no official alert, they simultaneously received notice of the threat from me and from a student who received a text from a School of Medicine peer. Acting on limited information, they quickly moved into safety mode. They moved all students into the storeroom of the CLRC and secured the doors. Adrenaline likely had a part in this effort since they moved very heavy items to block entry. Students were further secured by moving as many as possible under tables and chairs.
Unaware of the group of 19 secured in the storeroom, police cleared HPEB. Someone reported that one group was missing from the evacuation staging area. When police returned to mobilize them, police were banging on the doors and shouting to get out. But no one inside the storeroom knew it was the police. Many believed it was the shooter. Those who lived the evacuation experience truly understand how chaotic that process was. To really understand the psychological impact, take a moment and imagine that feeling.
Professor Maxa’s student was not in the CLRC but had an equally terrifying experience. From the moment we were made aware of the event, she was concerned about getting her student safe as well. That student was working with the forensics team in CB1. The student texted that she was hiding under her desk but others around her were not taking the event seriously. The student’s anxiety and confusion with the response of others caused the student to lose her sense of security. She was emotionally distraught. All the while, Professor Maxa was trying to help the student in any way possible. Unfortunately, CB1 was the last site evacuated.
When everyone finally arrived at the staging area, many were shocked and crying. One repeatedly and tearfully asked to go home. Faculty quickly set aside their own emotions and sought out help with comforting the students. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners were mobilized to help specific students. Small groups of students were gathered to discuss what they had experienced; faculty were 100% focused on the students.
After the event, faculty sent emails to the students, conducted debriefs focusing on how to respond to similar emergencies, and provided tokens affirming “we made it.” I do not believe that my message has adequately described or detailed all that they did. What I can say is that we are blessed to have such caring persons in our midst. I am personally honored to work with these professionals. Their actions exemplify exactly why the DAISY Award was created.