From advancing psychiatric nursing education in Rwanda to inspiring new approaches to simulation in Nigeria, our alumni are shaping the future of global health.
Shaping the Future of Psychiatric Nursing in Rwanda
Three-time University of South Carolina College of Nursing alumna Carole Bennett (‘97 PhD, ‘73 MSN, ‘69 BSN) has dedicated her career to advancing education and improving health outcomes worldwide.
Her journey began in labor and delivery, but over time her focus shifted to mental health. In 2012, Bennett spent a year in Rwanda, where she worked to strengthen psychiatric nursing education. Recognizing a critical need for psychiatric patient education, she developed new standards of care for nurses and Nurse Practitioners across the country. Collaborating with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, she helped design an innovative mental health screening tool that improved care for more than 30,000 Rwandans.
“Both students and new nurses were eager to learn the evidence-based interventions over the course of two days. skills I introduced to them. It was a rewarding experience for me.”
In June 2025, thirteen years later, Bennett returned to Rwanda at the invitation of the Minister of Mental Health, Dr. Darius Gishoma. Her His mission – to expand access and improve the quality of psychiatric care. Over the course of three weeks, she served as a consultant to University of Rwanda faculty, helping design a new master’s of science program in psychiatric nursing. Her work focused on suicide prevention strategies, curriculum development using evidence-based practices, and case studies with a strong emphasis on education and training.
Reflecting on her experience, she shares, “The faculty are beginning to see all the benefits at their fingertips. I was able to connect in a way that will have significant impacts on the country’s future.”
Bennett plans to continue psychiatric nursing education in Rwanda with virtual instructions.
Fostering Innovation in Nursing Education in Nigeria
For Karen Worthy (‘15 PhD, ‘06 MSN), USC Nursing alumna and faculty member, travel often means more than sightseeing. Wherever she goes, she seeks out opportunities to connect with local nursing schools. Her recent personal trip to Nigeria was no exception.
Immersed in Nigerian culture, Worthy embraced the vibrancy, hospitality, and resilience of the communities she visited.
Through friends, Worthy was introduced to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). After an initial conversation, the provost extended an invitation for a facility tour and a simulation-based teaching presentation. Upon arrival, Worthy was warmly welcomed as students literally took her by hand to guide her across campus, but what she saw was antiquated lab equipment, low-fidelity mannequins, and limited infrastructure for nursing education.
In her presentation, Worthy highlighted the transformative role of simulation in bridging the gap between theory and practice. She demonstrated how simulation can enhance clinical judgment, improve patient safety, and create safe learning environments. Faculty and students were visibly impacted. Worthy explained, “Many didn’t consider the power of simulation as a tool to close the gap between theory and practice, especially in resource-constrained environments. Faculty shared how it opened their eyes to new ways of engaging students.”
Before leaving Nigeria, Worthy worked with faculty to brainstorm low-cost simulation innovations. She also drafted a practice grant as a future funding reference and encouraged students to take a more active role in questioning and engaging with faculty.
Worthy looks forward to hearing how LUTH evolves its approach to simulation-based learning.
“When nurses share knowledge across borders, we create ripples of change that strengthen education, advance practice, and elevate care worldwide. Every connection is a seed of innovation with the power to transform the future of nursing and the health of communities for generations to come.”