The American Red Cross North Texas Region was recently recognized by the American Red Cross for its Academic Service-Learning disaster simulation during an awards ceremony held in Washington, D.C., on April 10, 2024.

The disaster simulation will bring together stakeholders and provide Red Cross Disaster Health Services training for faculty and students to help ensure they have the confidence to respond to disasters. Students and faculty can also participate in other Red Cross activities, such as blood drives and disaster preparedness.

A pilot program based on Red Cross Disaster Health Services training scenarios is in place. It is currently an in-person, interactive experience with nursing students working in small groups. The grant will allow the development of an interactive online simulation and a replicable model to engage more nursing schools in Red Cross Academic Service-Learning while benefiting from the disaster simulation.

The American Red Cross Susan Hassmiller Nursing Award is a one-time $5,000 grant. It was established in 2007 to enhance Red Cross local service delivery capacity through the increased engagement of nurses and nursing students in policy, leadership and service delivery positions. Recipients embody the Red Cross mission by boosting nurse engagement in the Red Cross lines of business, policy and leadership roles.