Darlington Wisconsin October '09 Weekend - Photo Tour

The railroad was once very important to the town of Darlington Wisconsin as was the Pecatonica River that meanders alongside it.  The railroad transported goods and people, and the river sported recreational boats and powered the mill for the wheat that was then the main crop.  The railroad and mill are now gone. The upper millstone is now on display in the town's park by the River.  Except for some moss-covered ties alongside the Trail and the old Darlington Depot (now museum), there are no signs of the railroad that once connected Darlington to the world.  The Cheese Country Trail is now where the train tracks once were, and the Trail now sustains the town by accommodating ATM vehicles and snowmobiles.  The bucolic topography that was spared the last glacier remains.
Better views of Photo Tour!

Surprise for Excellence in Teaching

The students I taught during 2007, the first year of their three-year master degree program in nurse anesthesia, had their graduation ceremony on August 28th. What a wonderful surprise awaited me at my students’ graduation ceremony! I have been the science faculty in the anesthesia program for thirty-five years. The courses I teach during the first year provide the foundation in science that the students will build on throughout the rest of the program and their professional lives.
Now I have a plaque and a huge stack of cards sent by my former students, some of them from the very first class, to commemorate these years. The program director’s complimentary speech about the students’ evaluations of my teaching over the many years was a joy to hear announced to a large audience mostly comprised of the graduates’ families and friends. The generous check and the beautiful flowers were welcome too. But the teary-eyed smiles of my former students and the heartfelt messages in the many cards were the best parts of the surprise. These cards and the associated memories will be treasured always.

Tokens of Gratitude From My Students

Being the science faculty for the students in the School of Nurse Anesthesia is challenging and rewarding. The students are extremely smart, exceptionally stable, and among the nicest people you will ever meet. They are training to become the high-level medical professionals who keep you alive during surgery.
Here I am shamelessly bragging about the presents that the Class of 2011 gave me recently at the end of the first year of their rigorous three-year program. The T-shirt, while probably the most inexpensive of the presents, is the most priceless because it sports many of my sayings or what the students now call “Ronnie-isms” on the back. I am moved that they have memorized these remarks some of which refer to concepts they previously never knew.

Plus, the students really have sized me up. They know I am a T-shirt person. They have also observed that I have a big weakness for jewelry and prefer that it is coordinated. Look at the two beautiful sets of jewelry my students gave me.


The students presented these gifts to me during a wonderful special luncheon they put together in the hospital cafeteria just after they took the last of my exams. Teaching science to medical professionals like my students, who want to learn as much as they can so that they can be the very best nurse anesthetists, is an awesome responsibility I accept with pleasure!

PJ - 1st floor resident & garden terrorist

PJ is a garden terrorist - It remains to be seen if the fungus that attacked my apple tree has been defeated!

Career Overview

Profile
· Science professor specializing in animal physiology with over forty years of experience in teaching, writing, and public speaking
· Created curricula and numerous courses in biology and other sciences for academic programs in the fields of science, technology, and medicine
· Exceptional track record of educating science, technology, and medical professionals who are successfully employed in their respective fields

Education
Ph.D. DePaul University 1987
· Biological Sciences / Animal Physiology
· Research in Immunology
M.S. University of Illinois 1969
· Biological Sciences / Animal Physiology
· Research in Neuroendocrinology
B.S. University of Illinois 1965
· Teaching of Biological Sciences and General Science
· Student Teaching & Coursework for Secondary School Teacher Certification

Faculty Positions & Subjects Taught
Faculty - Anesthesia Master‘s Degree Program
DePaul University - Department of Nursing
In cooperation with NorthShore University HealthSystem (2000 to present)
Ravenswood Hospital (1975-2000)
Science instruction for Anesthesia Program:
Physics, Biochemistry & Molecular/Cell Biology, Nervous System, Endocrine System, Cardiovascular System, Respiratory System, Excretory System, Digestive System & Intermediary Metabolism
Teacher

Chicago Public Schools (September 2006 – June 2008)
Substitute - Kindergarten to Grade 12 – All Areas
MCAT Instructor
Princeton Review (October 2006 – August 2007)
Biology instruction for the Medical College Admission Test
Adjunct Professor - Nurse Practitioners Master’s Degree Program
DePaul University - Department of Nursing (1999 to 2005)
Molecular Biology, Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology
Tenured Full Professor
Director - Biological & Physical Sciences Program, and
Founder & Director - Electroneurodiagnostic Technology (ENDT) Program
East-West University (1984 to 2005)
General Biology, Cell Biology, Microbiology, Ecology, Anatomy & Physiology, Neuroscience, Diseases of Nervous System, Genetics & Evolution, Nutrition, Reproduction & Sexuality, Introduction to Nature, Chemistry, Physics, Math, Electroneurodiagnostic Technology

Graduate School Teaching Experience
DePaul University (Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Experimental Biology, Regulatory Biology, Immunology)

University of Illinois (Human Physiology, Comparative & Adaptive Physiology, Cellular & Molecular Physiology)

Selected Professional Speaking Engagements
LGBT Center of SE Wisconsin
-Science & Sexuality (November 15th, 2009)
 http://lgbtsewisc.org/home
Gay Liberation Network, CAN TV
-Ending Professional Bigotry Against Transsexual People (August 14, 2009) 4 part video of program:
 http://drdrantz-sciencesexuality.blogspot.com/2009/08/ending-professional-bigotry-against_30.html
Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival
-Science and Sexuality (August 6, 7, 2009)

http://www.michfest.com/
National Women’s Music Festival

-Science and Sexuality (July 4, 2009)
http://www.wiaonline.org/

Center for Inquiry/Chicago
-Science and Sexuality (November 9, 2008) http://www.meetup.com/cfichicago/calendar/9085859/
Reeling 2007 LGBT Film Fest
-Panel discussion/debate on sexuality issues at Center On Halsted following local premier of “The Gendercator” (November 21, 2007)
http://www.wctimes.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=16694
American Society of Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists
-Cranial Nerves for Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (Conference Call Seminar – September 26, 2007)
-Anatomy & Physiology of the Peripheral Nervous System for Nerve Conduction Studies (July 30, 2004)
-The Peripheral Nervous System and Common Compression Neuropathies (August 11, 1999)
-Anatomy and Physiology of the Peripheral Nervous System for Nerve Conduction Velocity Testing (September 22, 1994)
Central Society of Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists
-Anatomy and Physiology of the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems for Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (April 22, 2004)
Southern Society of Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists
-Neuroanatomy for Evoked Potentials (Knott Lecturer, featured speaker) (April 24, 1996)
Illinois Society of Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists
-Anatomy and Physiology of the Peripheral Nervous System for Nerve Conduction Velocity Testing (October 28, 2000)
-Anatomy and Physiology of Peripheral Nervous System (September 22, 1994)
-Cranial Nerves with Emphasis on Vestibular Function (November 12, 1993)
-Anatomy of Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (April 27, 1991)
-Brain Regions (April 15-16, 1988)
-Cranial Nerves (October 24-25, 1986)
Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago Teacher's Center, College of Education, Workshops for Teacher Training
-Reproduction (May 13, 1989)
-Growth, Development, & Puberty (April 1, 1989)
Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthetists
-The Cardiovascular System: Structure, Function, Regulation (October 10-12, 1980)
-Anesthesia and Cell Physiology (November 17-19, 1978)
-Anatomy and Physiology of Neck and Extracranial Regions (October 19-21, 1978)

Publications
-Drantz, Veronica. “Behavioral Objectives Improve Teaching & Learning Effectiveness” in Handbook for END School Development. 2nd edition. Carroll, IA: American Society of Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists Inc., 2001.

-Drantz, Veronica. “Anatomy and Physiology of the Peripheral Nervous System” Chapter 1 in
Nerve Conduction Studies for the Technologist. Carroll, IA: American Society of
Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists Inc., 1996.

-Drantz, Veronica. “Neuroanatomy for Evoked Potentials” in Evoked Potential Course Booklet.
Pensacola Beach, FL: Southern Society of Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists, 1996.

-DeLise, Laura and Veronica Drantz. “Taking a Patient History” in ASET Newsletter. Carroll,
IA: American Society of Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists Inc. (February 1995) 19-20.
(Also published in NSSA News. Neurophysiological Sciences Society of Australia, May 1995.)

-Drantz, Veronica. “The Enumeration of Macrophages of Various Sizes and Nonspecific Esterase Activities in Rat Spleen and Peritoneal Cavity during the In Vivo Primary Humoral Response to Sheep Erythrocytes.” Ph.D. thesis. Chicago, IL: DePaul University, 1987.

-Anderson, Richard C., Veronica E Drantz, Gerald W. Faust, and John T. Guthrie. Population
Genetics (A BSCS Self-Instructional Program) Morristown, New Jersey: Silver Burdett Co.,
1969.

-Drantz, Veronica. The Development of Double Antibody Radioimmunoassay of Ovine Somatotrophic Hormone. M.S. thesis. Urbana-Champaign IL: University of Illinois, 1969.

Additional Work Experience
-Science Consultant
(Ravenswood Hospital & Northeastern University, College of Education, Chicago Teacher's Center)
-Certified Instructor of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Basic Life Support
(American Heart Association)
-Forensic Analytical Chemist
(Chicago Police Department Criminalistics Lab)

Professional Memberships
· American Association for the Advancement of Science
· American Physiological Society
· American Society of Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists
· Center for Inquiry
· Chicago Council on Science and Technology
· Illinois Society of Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists
· National Association of Biology Teachers
· National Center for Science Education
· National Science Teachers Association

Academic or Professional Honors
· International Professional of the Year (2009)
· Foremost Educators of the World (International Biographical Center – 2008)
· Who's Who of American Women (17th, 18th, 21st, 23rd, 24th, 25th & 2008-2009
editions)
· Who's Who in the World (11th, 15th, 16th & 2006 editions)
· Strathmore’s Who’s Who (2005-2006)
· Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers (2003-2004)
· Who’s Who in America (55th, 56th, 57th, 58th & 2009 editions)
· Who's Who in American Education (3rd, 6th & 7th editions)
· Who’s Who in the Midwest (26th edition)
· Who's Who in Science and Engineering (2nd, 5th & 8th editions)
· The World Who’s Who of Women (13th & 15th editions)
· Knott Lecturer – American Society of Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists’ John Knott
Educational Lecture Program (1996)
· Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Award (Chicago Heart Association - 1990)
At NorthShore University HealthSystem:
· Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Teaching
At Ravenswood Hospital School of Anesthesia:
· Instructor of the Year (1997)
At East-West University:
· MSEIP Grant: Minorities in Science & Engineering Improvement Project (2002-2005)
(Development of ENDT Program courses in Polysomnography, Intraoperative
Neuromonitoring, and Nerve Conduction Studies and acquisition of one-quarter million dollars
worth of state-of-the-art equipment)
· Instructor of the Year (1986-1987)
At DePaul University:
· Schmidt Academic Fellowship
· Who's Who In American Colleges and Universities
· Graduate Teaching Assistantships
· Schmidt Graduate Scholar
At University of Illinois:
· National Science Foundation Fellowship
· National Science Foundation Research Assistantship
· Graduate Teaching Assistantships
· Phi Sigma National Honorary Science Society
· Phi Beta Kappa
· Graduation with High Honors
· James Scholar
· Dean's List
· University Scholar
· Alpha Lambda Delta National Honorary Society

References available upon request.

WisconsinFarmhouse2008Thanksgiving

The last glacier never touched the bucolic, rolling topography of southwest Wisconsin or its meandering Pecatonica River. What do you do for entertainment in a Wisconsin farmhouse over Thanksgiving weekend? Click on the video to find out.

Surprise Cake From Students

The Nurse Anesthetists Program is intense and I am proud to teach the students all the science that is the foundation for their professional lives. The students were celebrating the end of the first year of this three-year master's degree program.