dean – Devon Berry

Nursing Leader, Devon Berry, on the Arts in Portland, OR

As a leader and a nurse, Devon Berry, RN, PhD, prior Executive Associate Dean at the OHSU School of Nursing in Portland, Oregon, believes that art is an important way to enrich life. This is especially true for nurses who have described their practice as being part art and part science. For the nurse, according to Dr. Berry, appreciating art can inform practice and alleviate some of the secondary suffering that healthcare providers often experience.

Fortunately, the city of Portland is rich with a large variety of engaging cultural opportunities. In Portland, you can find everything from monthly art walks, to live storytelling, to film festivals, to museums and exhibitions. The Portland Art Museum is a favorite of many locals. Complementing this large venue are many smaller art galleries with high quality exhibitions such as the Russo Lee Gallery and Nationale. The performing arts are also well represented in Portland. Several fine theatres, such as the Keller Auditorium and the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall are regularly hosting top notch theatre companies such as Portland Center Stage and the Imago Theatre. Add to this a wealth of music scenes and venues, and the local or visitor can always find a way to get in touch with the restorative power of the arts.

As a nurse, Devon Berry notes that taking time to appreciate and engage the arts can be an important element of a healthcare provider’s self-care plan. As a leader, he believes that learning to find and celebrate beauty in the world is a key skill for strengthening organizational culture. Whether nurse, or executive leader, or both, Devon Berry recommends scheduling time to get out and enjoy the cultural expressions of your community. It is good for you, those you care for and work with, and for your local artists.

A Nurse Runs a Marathon

Studying for his MBA at Western Governors’ University, Devon Berry is the outgoing Executive Associate Dean of the School of Nursing at OHSU and a PhD-prepared nurse. With a background in mental health research and practice, Berry considers self-care an important aspect of everyone’s life. One way Berry cares for himself is by running for exercise. He is currently training for the Portland Marathon.

For runners, the marathon holds a special place in the broad range of races available today. While there are almost 600 marathons held every year in the United States, according to marathontrainingschedule.com, very few Americans have actually completed these races. In fact, as few as one-half of one percent have run a marathon. Coming in at 26.2 miles, a marathon is a challenging endeavor. The largest Marathon in the U.S. is the New York City Marathon.

Most are not aware that the word “marathon” actually comes from the name of an ancient Greek town, according to livescience.com. Apparently, a soldier named Pheidippides, who ran 25 miles or so to let the Athenians know that the Persians had been defeated. Unfortunately, Pheidippides was not in great shape and actually died after delivering his message. The first marathon races were held to commemorate this soldier’s run.

Devon Berry, nursing leader, on finding beauty

Devon Berry is a nurse, a scholar, and a committed family man residing in Portland Oregon. In his career he has served in several universities including Cedarville University, University of Cincinnati, Wright State University, and most recently Devon Berry served as the Executive Associate Dean at the Oregon Health and Science University. Living in the Pacific Northwest, nurse Devon Berry has taken up nature photography as a pastime.

Over the past year, Devon has committed to posting an original photo every business day on Instagram. He often photographs flowers, trees, leaves, sunsets, sunrises, and other parts of the natural world. Year-round, most of Berry’s photographs are taken within walking distance of his home. His daily walks are part exercise, part meditation, and part photography. One of the greatest lessons Berry has learned through this ritual is how to look for beauty.

Devon Berry believes that looking for beauty requires a committed mindset. If you are not actively looking for beauty, he says, you will miss it every time. As a prior associate dean in nursing, Devon Berry has brought this discipline to his professional life. The professional world, like the natural world, is filled with beautiful moments. Instead of dew on a blade of grass or yellowing moss on a fence post, it is an act of kindness, a display of courage, or an expression of humility. Learning to see the professional world through this lens reduces stress and improves creativity. It is a practice that all can benefit from.