Curriculum Vitae Virginia (Ginny) Focht-New 765 Main Street Royersford, PA 19468 (610) 804-4882 E-Mail: gfocht@aol.com Educational Background Widener University graduated August 2009 with a PhD in Nursing, Conducted a qualitative study titled: A Transformation Process: Health Teaching by Nurses to Adults with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities University of Pennsylvania graduated August 1994 with a Master s degree of Science in Nursing Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing with a specialty in child and family therapy. Certified by ANCC as a Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist in November 1996. Widener University graduated May 1991 with a Bachelor of Science of Nursing. Montgomery County Community College graduated May 1986 with an Associate degree in Applied Science. Passed state boards in 1986 to become a Registered Nurse. Current nursing licenses in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Employment History Educator Widener University, Chester and Harrisburg, PA campuses Clinical Assistant Professor (10/15/12 to present); Visiting Assistant Professor, School of Social Work (9/1/11 to 10/15/12); Adjunct Professor (9/1/06 to 9/1/11). Teach Interpersonal Processes, Human Behavior in the Social Environment I, Human Behavior in the Social Environment II (assessment and diagnosis of mental health conditions), People with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities elective, trauma elective, and various research courses in the master s program. Teach qualitative data analysis in the doctoral program. Revised: 07/15 1
Additional Educational Experience Lecturer, Medical Sociology Course, Physical Therapy program, Widener University. (March, 2005 to 2009) Lecturer, School of Nursing, Widener University (2010, 2013) Co-facilitated OMR Statewide Training and Technical Assistance institutes on Trauma and Biographical Timelines Taught several classes for the Human Services tract at Montgomery County Community College regarding diversity and understanding people with developmental disabilities. Presented seminars at Medical College of Philadelphia to medical students about people who have developmental disabilities. Presented various training topics (including trauma, psychiatric illness, grief and loss, understanding behavior, overlapping physical, and behavioral health issues, growth and development, team building, management, group process, and diversity) in the United States and Ontario, Canada Self-Employed Therapist, Royersford, PA February, 1998 to present. Individual and Family systems therapist self-employed (1993 to present). Trauma is the main focus for therapy. EMDR used. Work with people who have no disabled to non-verbal individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Facilitated problem solving and women s issues groups for Ken-Crest Services staff and individuals with disabilities (1994 to 2007) Legal Expert for cases in New Jersey 2005 2006; New York 2009; Pennsylvania 2009. Consultant Camphill Community Soltane, Nantmeal, PA Clinical Advisor for traumatic, mental health, and behavioral health issues (Sept, 2005 to present) Center for Family Services, Paramus, NJ and Bronx, NY Clinical Consultant. Facilitating clinical reviews for trauma, mental health, and behavioral health issues working with the management team. (July, 2005 to present) Fairview Developmental Center, Costa Mesa, CA co-facilitating culture transformation (May, 2009 February, 2011) Values into Action, Media, PA Clinical Advisor develop planning to support individuals with challenging behavior, trauma, and physical health conditions. Trainer mental health conditions, trauma, family dynamics, and grief and loss. (January, 2007 to 2014) Revised: 07/15 2
New Lisbon Developmental Center, New Lisbon, NJ Facilitating biographical timelines and person centered planning. Co-facilitating transformation project. (January, 2005 to June, 2008) Supportive Concepts for Families, Inc. Nurse consultant (September 2009 to 2010; 2013) Philadelphia Coordinated Health Care, Philadelphia, PA Director of Nursing December 1, 2000 July 15, 2005 Behavior Health Nurse Specialist January 4, 1999 December 1, 2000 Consultant February 1998 December 1998 Spring Ford Counseling Services, Royersford, PA Clinical Coordinator February 1998 to October 1998 Outpatient Clinical Therapist February 1996 to October 1998 Board of Directors 2013 to present Ken-Crest Services Director (River Crest Division) January 1994 to February 1998 Assistant Director (River Crest Division) September 1987 to January 1994 Coordinator, Health Services October 1983 to September 1987 Staff Nurse July 1980 to October 1983 Creative Health Services, Pottstown, PA Intern Therapist September, 1993 to July, 1994 Phoenixville Hospital, Phoenixville, PA Staff Nurse March, 1977 to September, 1980 Publications Focht-New, G. (2012). Transformation through health teaching for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A qualitative study. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 50(2), 129-139. Focht-New, G., Barol, B., Clements, P.T., & Milliken, T. (April, 2008). Persons with developmental disabilities exposed to interpersonal violence and crime: Approaches to intervention. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care: The Journal of Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses, 44, 89-98. Focht-New, G., Clements, P.T., Barol, B., Service, K. & Faulkner, M. (Jan. 2008). Persons with developmental disabilities exposed to interpersonal violence and crime: The impact of intrapsychic trauma. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care: The Journal for Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses, 44, 3-13. Revised: 07/15 3
Focht-New, G., & Clements, P.T. (2005). A review of Guidebook on Helping Persons with Mental Retardation Mourn by Jeffrey Kauffman. New York: Baywood Publishing Company, 2005. 124 pp. (ISBN 0-89503-300-3.) Review for Journal of Death Studies. Focht-New, V. (2004). Expanding our expectations: Individual and group counseling as effective therapy with people who have disabilities. Positive Approaches, 6(2), 1-10. Clements, P.T., Focht-New, V., & Faulkner, M. (2004). Grief in the shadows: Exploring loss and bereavement for people with developmental disabilities. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 25, 799-808. Focht-New, V. (2001). Demystifying physical health causes and behavioral health symptoms. Positive Approaches, 3(3) 14-16. Focht-New, V. (1996). Beyond abuse: Treatment approaches for people with disabilities. Positive Approaches, 1(2), 11-17. Focht-New, V. (1996). Care of abused persons who are developmentally disabled. In Burgess, A, ed. Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing, Stamford, CT: Appleton & Lange; 1998. Focht-New, V. (1996). Beyond abuse: Health care for people with disabilities, Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 17, 439-455. Conference Presentations Considerations in Supporting People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Conference, Widener University, Harrisburg, PA (2010) American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Conference, Providence, RI (2010) Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association Conference, Reno, NV (2010) Eastern Nurses Research Society Conference, Providence RI (2010) MAX Association Conference, King of Prussia, PA (2010) Sigma Theta Tau, Eta Beta Chapter, Research Day, Widener University (2010) International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses, Baltimore, MD American Association of Mental Retardation, Denver, CO Ken-Crest Conference, Blue Bell, PA Psychiatric Nursing Conference, Phila, PA Women s Business Forum, Phoenixville, PA Revised: 07/15 4
PNA Developmental Disabilities Conference, Harrisburg, PA Keynote speaker Developmental Disabilities Conference, Phila., PA Dual Diagnosis Task Force, Harrisburg, PA Everyday Lives Conference (PA state OMR conference 3 years) CASSP Training Institute (6 presentations across PA) Realizations, London, Ontario (3 presentations) Nurse Com Conference, Baltimore, Md. CASSP Conference (presenter and co-presenter), Penn State NADD Conferences (state and regional) OMR Mental Health Assessment Teams Division I & II Conference, International Management Council, Catskills, NY Statewide Licensing Forum, Harrisburg, PA Positive Approaches Academy, Ken-Crest Services Perkiomen Valley Academy, Fredricks, PA Positive Behavioral Approaches Conference, Harrisburg, PA Nurse Diversity Day, University of Pennsylvania, PA Special Recognition Dean s Award, Widener University, 2010 Lillian Sholtis Brunner Award for Innovative Practice in Nursing, University of Pennsylvania Alumni May, 1998 Dean s Award, University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing 1994 Empowerment Award, Ken-Crest Services 1990 Leader Health Care Award, Montgomery County Community College 1977 Organization Participation NADD, member since 2009 Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society since 2009 AAIDD, member since 2009 Sigma Theta Tau, nursing honor society, since 1991 APNA (psychiatric nursing association) then ISPN (international society of psychiatric nurses) member since 1997 OMR Dual Diagnosis Task Force - member 1997 2003 Phoenixville Hospital Community Education - member 1996 1998 University of Pennsylvania Trauma Group member 1993 1997 International Management Council, Phoenixville, PA chapter second vice-president 1991-1992, president elect 1992-1993, president 1993-1994, member 1991 1995 University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing, Graduate Student Organization Member 1992-1993, President 1993 1994 Southeast Region Positive Approaches Newsletter co-editor 1990 1993 Revised: 07/15 5
Southeast Region Positive Approaches Committee, member 1990 1992 Spring-Ford Booster Club Secretary 1996 1998, President 1998 2000 Certificates Received Mental Health Assessment Treatment for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (54 hours) 1/96 6/96 Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (30 hours) 11/96 OMR State Training Initiative - Dual Diagnosis Trainer (45 hours) 11/97 References Upon request Revised: 07/15 6