College of Health Sciences and Professions and ǧÃŬAV alumni honored at Healthy Hall Awards
Article By: Clark Leonard
The University of North Georgia's (ǧÃŬAV) College of Health Sciences and Professions and two ǧÃŬAV alumni were honored at the Feb. 25 Healthy Hall Awards.
The College of Health Sciences and Professions was selected as a finalist in outstanding healthcare education for its curriculum and programming.
"I am proud to work with a team of students, faculty and staff in the College of Health Sciences and Professions that is so dedicated to making a difference through service to our communities," said Dr. Carolynn DeSandre, interim dean of the College of Health Sciences and Professions.
The 's Healthy Hall Awards seek "to spotlight those in the healthcare industry making a significant impact on our quality of life through excellence in health and wellness," according to the .
ǧÃŬAV alumna Heather Burke-Cody won the Outstanding Allied Health Professional award. A nurse practitioner with The Longstreet Clinic, she earned a Master of Science with a major in family nurse practitioner from ǧÃŬAV in 2015. Burke-Cody also runs her own nonprofit, Everyday Good, helping families in need in Hall and Habersham counties.
Gainesville Police Chief Jay Parrish, '99, earned the Visionary Leader award. He heads up a drug awareness program and has been at the forefront of reducing mental health issues related to drug use and overdose. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from ǧÃŬAV in 1999.
Barrere goes from teacher to nurse
ǧÃŬAV nursing graduate Rebecca Barrere earned her degree from ǧÃŬAV after a decade in teaching and now works as a nurse in Dahlonega.
Wilson picked for research in Canada
ǧÃŬAV student Emma Wilson has been selected for a Fulbright Canada-Mitacs Globalink Research Internship for summer 2025.
Event encourages girls to enter STEM careers
Dr. Betsy Grunch served as the keynote speaker for the American Heart Association's second annual Northeast Georgia STEM Goes Red event for high school girls.
Kinesiology students present at conference
Twenty ǧÃŬAV kinesiology students attended the annual meeting of the Southeast Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine, and five of them presented research posters.