Belmont’s Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business conducted its 4th Entertainment Law & Professionalism Clinic earlier this month. Originally implemented in 2009, the clinic was developed to expose Belmont students to the practice of professionalism while serving entertainment industry legal needs at no cost to participating students.

This year’s clinic was staffed by CEMB Lecturers Drs. John Ouellette and Vincent Peppe, Assistant Professor of Music Business Dr. David Maddox and Associate Professor of Music Business Dr. Cheryl Slay Carr. The Clinic is operated through a partnership with the Tennessee Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts, an arm of the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville led by Executive Director Casey Summar.

This year’s clinic also afforded a select group of Belmont Law and undergraduate students the opportunity to participate as non-clients by shadowing clinic attorneys or supporting the administrative functions of the clinic.  A companion professionalism convocation/seminar was offered by Dr. Slay Carr, who conceptualized the clinic to educate students on professionalism within the entertainment sector and instruct students on how to select and meet with attorneys and other business professionals.

Pedagogical insights from the Clinical Project are captured in an article by Slay Carr published in The Journal of The Music & Entertainment Industry Educators Association.

Four doctor of nursing practice (DNP) students attended the AACN Student Policy Summit held in Washington, DC March 22-24. The students were immersed in program sessions focused on the federal policy process and nursing’s role in professional advocacy. 

As part of the summit, participants made visits to Capitol Hill with Associate Dean of Nursing Dr. Martha Buckner, meeting with legislative staff of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension committees.

Student Jennifer Jaramillo said, “The policy summit was such an amazing opportunity to advocate for nurses in Tennessee and across the nation. Building a network with other nursing leaders was an invaluable experience that will enrich our future practices. Advocacy and policy play a major role in our nursing practice and the future of our profession.”

Pictured are DNP students Jennifer Jaramillo, Kathryn Dambrino, Danielle Voss, and Kristen Allen as they wait for a meeting in Senator Bob Corker’s office.

On March 3, more than 50 Belmont Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) students attended Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association’s (TNOTA) Day on the Hill.

The students joined a group of 120 other students and practitioners from across the state, forming the largest organized representation to date for TNOTA Day on the Hill.

The group was led by Belmont Professor of Occupational Therapy Dr. Hachtel and John Williams, TNOTA’s state lobbyist who provided an orientation regarding pertinent bills potentially affecting the profession on the state legislature’s docket this session.

After the orientation, the students met with Health Committee members to discuss the role of occupational therapy and how specific bills affect services provided to the legislator’s constituents. Additionally, Belmont OTD students helped staff TNOTA’s booth at Legislative Plaza to promote the profession to all state government officials.