Texas State faculty, staff honored by journal as distinguished authors

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
July 25, 2013

Rodney E. Rohde, associate professor in the Clinical Laboratory Science program at Texas State University, will be honored with the Clinical Laboratory Science Distinguished Author Award.

Rohde, along with his co-authors Tom Patterson and Gerald Redwine, both with the Clinical Laboratory Science Program in the College of Health Professions, Cheryl Rowder, former associate professor with the St. David’s School of Nursing in the College of Health Professions, Bob Edward Vásquez in the School of Criminal Justice and Dr. Emillio Carranco, director of the Student Health Center, will receive the award during the 81th American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Awards ceremony to be held Aug. 1 in Houston.

The CLS Distinguished Author Award recognizes authors of original relevant articles that contribute scientific merit and value to clinical laboratory science, published in Clinical Laboratory Science. CLS is an award-winning, quarterly journal featuring articles on the very latest in research, education and government actions affecting the profession.

The article being recognized is "E. Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): An Interim Report of Carriage and Conversion Rates in Nursing Students." The award-winning research project examined longitudinal colonization of Staphylococci, including the possibility of MRSA, in a cohort of nursing students over a two year time period. The prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) continues to be a serious concern in healthcare settings according to the CDC and WHO. Eighty-seven nursing students were periodically cultured for MRSA during their clinical rotations during the study. Self-administered questionnaires were collected from participants to assess demographic factors and risk for colonization.

The investigators concluded that MRSA did not increase in nursing students while S. aureus colonization remained fairly stable. However, there was a significant increase in non S. aureus species (e.g. S. epidermis, S. haemolyticus). A final report of the full study is in review by CLS with a publication date likely in late summer or fall 2013.

The project was supported by an internal grant from the Texas State Research Enhancement Program and an external grant from the Texas Society of Allied Health Professions. Additionally, the project was supported by the College of Health Professions.