AMERICUS — Richard Birkel has resigned as executive director of Georgia Southwestern State University’s (GSW’s) Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI). Leisa Easom, the RCI’s Charles L. Mix Eminent Scholar and chair of GSW’s School of Nursing, will serve as interim executive director during the search for a new permanent director. Birkel came to the RCI in May of 2006. During his tenure, the RCI’s reach expanded considerably at the local, national and international level. Under Birkel the Institute secured approximately $3 million in grant funding, established a national caregiving summit featuring leading national experts and attracting as many as 300 guests from 45 states and overseas and established a caregiving certificate within GSW’s Department of Psychology and Sociology. He also began development of international caregiving curriculum; brought evidence-based caregiver support programs to the region and to Georgia; developed the state CARE NET Coalition as the “voice of family caregivers in Georgia;” and developed the proposal for a national caregiver initiative, which is being actively considered at the highest levels of government.  In addition, Birkel established the National Quality Caregiving Network in partnership with Johnson and Johnson that pairs leading researchers in caregiving with community agencies across the U.S.

“Without question, Dr. Birkel has made a major difference at the Rosalynn Carter Institute,” said GSW President Kendall Blanchard. “His work has been instrumental in bringing attention not only to the Institute, but also to Georgia Southwestern.”  Having served as the RCI’s Charles L. Mix Eminent Scholar since July 2007, Easom steps in as interim executive director with extensive grant writing experience with the GSW School of Nursing, where she also serves as chair. Over the past two years alone, Easom has helped secure more than $870,000 in grant funding to increase diversity in the health profession through specific programs for financially needy students from disadvantaged backgrounds.Easom began her career at GSW in 1988 as an assistant professor of nursing, where she served for 17 years. From 2005 to 2007, she served on the faculty at Macon State College in the Division of Nursing and Health Sciences and as the program coordinator of the RN to BSN Completion Program. Easom earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing and a Master of Science in nursing with a focus on adult health and teaching, both from Valdosta State University. She obtained her doctorate in nursing with a focus on health care across the lifespan from the Medical College of Georgia. She is a certified gerontologist and focuses her program of research on caregivers, health promotion and end-of-life issues in rural areas. She serves on the editorial boards and reviews manuscripts for many journals including the Journal of Gerontological Nursing, and she is a member of the Gerontological Society of America, Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society and the National League for Nursing. “I appreciate the willingness of Dr. Easom to step in and assume the interim leadership role at the RCI,” added Blanchard. “I am confident she will be more than just a caretaker over the next few months but will aggressively continue the effort to expand the work, outreach and reputation of the Institute.” The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving was formed in honor of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter in 1987, and is based at her alma mater, Georgia Southwestern. Through research, education and training, the RCI promotes the mental health and well being of individuals, families and professional caregivers; encourages effective caregiving practices; builds public awareness of caregiving needs; and advances public and social policies that enhance caring communities. For more information on the RCI, call 229-928-1234 or visit www.RosalynnCarter.org.