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May 2024

Congratulations, Spring 2024 Nursing Graduates!

Florida Atlantic University hosted its spring commencement ceremony for College of Nursing students on May 2, in the Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium on the Boca Raton campus. The new graduates will join nearly 10,000 College of Nursing alumni who have graduated from Florida Atlantic since the establishment of the first nursing degree program in 1979. The spring graduates also participated in the annual Pinning Ceremony in the college's auditorium, and celebrated at a reception immediately afterward with families and friends. The traditional ceremony symbolizes the beginning of their nursing careers. View Photos


Congratulations to the following spring semester award winners:

Scholarship Award

Undergraduate: Kaydrina Simeon, Asia Starling, Theodora Tertus, Makenna Simpson

Graduate: Juliette Mercadante, Ashley Williams


Leadership Award

Undergraduate: Paolina Ignacio-Juan, Camila Fred, Arielle Axelrod

Graduate: Camila Parodi, Erin Atkinson, Laurie Holtzclaw


Clinical Excellence Award

Undergraduate: Ahsan Arif, Shayla Edwards, Stephanie Decosma, Anthony Corley

Graduate: Babypash Pilgrim, Randi Loomis


Service Award

Janai Lierena


Caring Award

Cecilia Coelho Malafaia, Maria Caudle, Astrid Lara


T. Touhy Caring in Gerontological Nursing Award

Oniel Laurcella

Daisy Award

Undergraduate: Lily Rafacz

Graduate: Raquel Panos


Spring 2024 BSN CARE Scholars

William Bierschenk

Arianne Diaz Dominguez

Greter Fernandez

Kenna Ortiz

Trishnard Rigaud

Rooznikchy Thomas

Jessica Aranda

Carley Bedillion

Stephanie Bravo

Stephen Benitez

Victoria Brown

Daisy Campos

Talia De Grazia

Shayla Edwards

Janai Llerena

Antonio Rull

Theodora Tertus

Sarah Torline

Happy National Nurses Month!

National Nurses Month is celebrated in May and officially begins each year on May 6 – also National Nurses Day. It honors the incredible nurses who embody the spirit of compassion and care in every health care setting. At Florida Atlantic University's Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, we are grateful to all of our students and nurses who answer the call to care for our communities! Watch Video

FAU College of Nursing Hosts 45th Anniversary Celebration

Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing recently celebrated its 45th anniversary with an elegant program and reception. More than 150 guests, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, friends and community supporters, gathered in the college’s atrium and garden to mark the milestone event on April 18. Among the evening’s speakers were FAU President Stacy Volnick, Ph.D., FAU Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Russ Ivy, Ph.D., FAU Interim Vice President of Institutional Advancement David Green, Dean Safiya George, Ph.D., Advisory Board Chair Terry Fedele and the college's namesake and longtime benefactor, Christine E. Lynn.


Over the years, the college has continued to meet the ever-changing needs of health care and nurture the next generation of nurses who are grounded in caring science. With its impressive range of nationally-ranked educational programs, the college is poised to produce the distinguished nursing workforce of tomorrow that will deliver much-needed care and allow all Floridians to thrive well into the future. View Photos. Watch Video.

45th Anniversary Award Recipients


Student Engagement Awards

Paolina Ignacio-Juan

 

Clinical Adjuncts

Dr. Luciene Mendonca-Cali

Angela Bonaby

Dr. Betty Tsarnas

 

Preceptors

Dr. Horace Ellis

Laurie Kupersmith

Diane Huntley

Community Engaged Staff

Jeaneen Muller

Dr. Jo Ann Bamdas

 

Community Engaged Faculty

Dr. Karen Wisdom-Chambers

Dr. Lisa Wiese

Dr. Beth King


Retired Faculty

Dr. Pat Liehr

Dr. Charlotte Barry


Alumni Awards

Dr. Jinga Oglesby-Brihm

Study Co-led by College of Nursing Unveils Balance of AI and Preserving Humanity in Health Care 

Cross Country Healthcare, Inc., in collaboration with Florida Atlantic University's Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, released its latest research findings in the fourth annual installment of the Future of Nursing Survey: “Embracing Technology While Preserving Humanity.” Drawing insights from more than 1,100 nursing professionals and students, the study illuminates the intricate interplay between cutting-edge health care technologies and the enduring essence of compassionate care. Survey results reveal a nuanced perspective among nurses toward the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), with more than half expressing reservations and 38 percent questioning its potential benefits for the nursing field.


“We are at the forefront of training future nurses to embrace the many opportunities that technology offers to improve patient outcomes and streamline time consuming day-to-day administrative tasks,” said Safiya George, Ph.D., the Holli Rockwell Trubinsky Eminent Dean and Professor, FAU Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. “As AI rapidly evolves in the delivery of health care, nothing will replace the human touch, empathy and compassion that is at the core of the nursing profession. Ultimately, current and future nurses will find a synergistic balance between technology, innovation, patient trust and the human connection.” Read More

FAU Awarded Grant to Examine Role of Pet Dogs on Military Adolescents 

Florida Atlantic University Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing’s Canines Providing Assistance to Wounded Warriors (C-P.A.W.W.) has received a new grant from the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) for research that investigates the contribution of pet dog ownership to resilience and well-being in adolescent children of military families.


The grant was awarded to a team of researchers led by Laurie Martinez, Ph.D., an assistant professor, FAU College of Nursing; and co-led by Cheryl Krause-Parello, Ph.D., associate vice president for research, FAU Division of Research.   


“With approximately 66 percent of households in the United States owning a pet, family military pet dogs are an understudied innovative resource that may mitigate military-connected adolescent stress and nurture resilience and well-being,” said Martinez, principal investigator of the study. “Exploring how pet dogs can serve as conduits to better mental health outcomes opens new pathways for daily health promotion.” Read More

Student News

Palm trees

The summer semester begins on Saturday, May 11. View the FAU Registrar's calendar here.

The Graduate College will host a virtual Graduate Information Session on Thursday, May 16, from 5 to 6:15 p.m. This session will include information regarding financial aid, test preparation and graduate admissions. Learn more and register for the event here.

Don't forget to register for Summer and Fall 2024 classes! Check the schedule and register early to ensure to get the courses you want. Note: Non-degree-seeking students are only allowed to register just prior to the start of each term.

Are you a graduating senior? Visit the FAU Career Center so your post-graduation job search is stress-free and on-point! Schedule an appointment today to search for job opportunities, review your resume, create a cover letter, practice interviewing skills and more. View the latest jobs in Handshake.

Memorial Day

The University will be closed on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day.

Student Spotlight: Honors Convocation Award Recipients

Congratulations to three College of Nursing students who were recognized as 2024 Florida Atlantic University Honors Convocation honorees! Asia Starling was named Undergraduate Researcher of the Year, Makenna Simpson was presented with the Distinguished Student award, and Janai Llerena was the recipient of the University Scholar award, at the 55th annual event on April 17. The ceremony recognizes the University’s most outstanding students and faculty members. Read More

Alumni Spotlight

Angela S. Prestia, Ph.D., ’14, (at left) was introduced as one of two 2024 Hall of Fame inductees during the FAU Alumni and Community Engagement’s annual Hall of Fame & Distinguished Alumni Award Ceremony and Reception on April 25. Jean Seaver, M.S.N., ’97, was also recognized during the event as the 2024 Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing Distinguished Alumni recipient. The event brought together alumni to celebrate the accomplishments of their outstanding peers. Read More

News and Events

The College of Nursing's fully online, on-demand telehealth certificate course provides the essential knowledge to deliver skilled telehealth services with competence and care. Registration is now open at a reduced cost of $250.00 until Thursday, May 30.

Faculty, staff and students, check your inbox for details about upcoming Wellness Sessions led by Dr. Miriam Ismail, a professional development and self-improvement coach, along with Drs. Laurie Martinez and Dawn Hawthorne. A schedule of May sessions can be found on the college's Events Calendar.

Several College of Nursing faculty attended the YWCA of Palm Beach County's Until Justice Just Is luncheon on April 26. The college was a sponsor of the event.

Joy Fuller (DNP student), Dr. Karen Wisdom-Chambers, Nancy Brinker (Founder of the Promise Fund of Florida), Shanice Wisdom-Clayton and Jeaneen Muller (left to right) attended the Florida Blue Foundation's Sapphire Awards dinner. The annual ceremony was held in Orlando on April 3.

Join the Anne Boykin Institute 2024 Summer Academy on June 20-21, both in-person and virtually. This year's theme, "Earth Caring: Tending our Common Home," will focus on the urgent need for attention to earth care in nursing and beyond. Learn to develop practical solutions and contribute to the advancement of nursing knowledge while enjoying the musical accompaniment of artist-in-residence Kathy Sherman, CSJ. Register Here

Registration is open for the 45th annual IAHC Conference on June 22-23, at the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, Boca Raton campus. The event will feature keynote speakers Drs. Marilyn “Dee” Ray, Caroline E. Ortiz and Thomas A. Chavez. Don't miss the opening reception on June 21 at 6 p.m., hosted by the Anne Boykin Institute. Register now to secure your spot!

Don't miss out on the Nursing Consortium of Florida (NCOF) conference on June 28-29, of which the College of Nursing is a proud sponsor. Join us at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort for "Caring Connections: Discovering Magic at the Intersection of Technology and Nursing." Register today for this enriching event.

Attend the 2024 ALSN International Conference, September 26-28 in Dallas, Texas, sponsored in part by the College of Nursing. Join leaders in nursing education, administration and research from around the world to discuss current health care challenges. Register Now

Explore the WCSI Caritas Community Conference 2024 on November 13-15, sponsored by the College of Nursing. Secure your spot at the early bird rate until Aug. 14, and join the event for a valuable opportunity to share experiences and expertise while prioritizing self-care. Learn more and register here.

Research News

Congratulations to the outstanding student researchers who participated in the Sigma Iota Xi At-Large Chapter and College of Nursing’s annual Research and Scholarship Day! The event showcased student and faculty poster presentations on health issues that ranged from maternal mortality, veterans with PTSD, disparities in care, to heart failure and hospital readmissions. View Photos

Dr. Armiel Suriaga, the study's principal investigator, and his research team, conducted a dialogue with nursing students and faculty on "Alcohol-Related Mortality Among the Underage and College-Aged Population: Differences by Sex and Race/Ethnicity," during Research Day. Through its Communities Talk program, the Substance Abuse Mental Health System Administration (SAMHSA) supported this event. This Communities Talk education dissemination effort aims to reduce underage drinking and prevent avoidable deaths from alcohol use among the younger population.


2024 Research and Scholarship Day Winners

BSN Category

Presenters: Isabella Longo, Claire Trefry, Emma Morris, Gabi Falkowski, Sydney Gibbons, Mackenzie Zweeres and Dr. Armiel Suriaga

"The Effect of Postpartum Depression on the Mother-Baby Relationships"


Honors 2 Category

Presenters: Hannah Sherman and Dr. Candy Wilson

"The Effects of Basic Military Training on Serum Iron Levels and Careers in Military Women: A Narrative Review"


Honors 3 Category

Presenters: Janai Llerena and Dr. Asley Rivera

"The Lived Experience of Fathers as Caregivers of their Children"


D.N.P./Ph.D. Category

Presenter: Breanne R. Levarity

"Examining Post-Traumatic Growth and Ease Among Adults Who Have Experienced the Trauma Cluster of Hurricane Dorian and the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic"


Faculty Category

Presenter: Olufunmilayo Akinpelu

"Enhancing Nurse Practitioner Student Preparation for Pediatric Practicum Settings"

Faculty and Staff News

Dr. Lisa Wiese and Healthier Glades Project Director Annie Ifill presented at the Alter Dementia Summit in Decatur, GA, April 25-27. Palm Health Foundation sponsored three Glades Faith Health educators for the conference. 

Congratulations to Dr. Kay Edwards on her retirement! Clinic staff, faculty, FAU/NCHA board members and supporters came together for a luncheon on April 30 to celebrate the former FAU/NCHA Community Health Center executive director and her many years of service to the College of Nursing.

Dr. Monica Roundtree Cleckley was appointed the clinic director of the FAU/NCHA Community Health Center. Dr. Cleckley is responsible for the oversight and management of the health care provided at the Community Health Center. Her administrative responsibilities include the supervision of clinic personnel and meeting the Health Resources Services Administration Bureau of Primary Care regulations. In addition, she will coordinate and oversee the quality of student experiences with clinic staff.

memory and wellness center

Dr. Reynel Lavandera started at the College of Nursing on May 6 as an associate professor in the Practice Teaching Track. He brings more than 28 years of experience in the nursing profession to the role. His areas of research include solid organ transplants and healthcare disparities among Hispanics.

Bianca Baloa (at left) joined the Memory and Wellness Center as an adult day center nurse on April 15. Sophia Robinson also began working at the center as an adult day care center nurse on April 11.

The College of Nursing's IT and Operations team welcomed new hires Francisco Escudero (at right), as an IT technician, and Josue Padilla (at left), as an IT support specialist.

Congratulations to five amazing College of Nursing staff members who completed another milestone in their academic journeys! Jeaneen Muller (top row, left to right), engagement coordinator, received a Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies; Alexandru Pasarariu, research coordinator, Eminent Scholars Office, received a Master of Accounting degree with a concentration in Accounting Information Systems; and Jony Singh, senior executive director, Health IT and Operations, graduated summa cum laude from Florida Atlantic with an Executive MBA in Business Analytics.


Database Administrator Craig Lasrado (bottom row, left to right) received a Professional MBA degree in Business Administration and a Secondary Certificate in CRT Big Data Analytics; System Administrator Lawrence Hughes received a Master of Science degree in Information Technology Management. Go Owls!

In the Media

building

The Palm Beach Post promoted the recent coverage of the College of Nursing as a "Top 50" ranked graduate nursing program by U.S. News and World Report (May 2).

Pet Age magazine showcased the Florida Atlantic researchers who were awarded grant funding from the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) recently announced a new grant for research that investigates the contribution of pet dog ownership to resilience and well-being in adolescent children of military families. 

The April 30 issue of Healthcare IT News referenced the findings from the joint study by Florida Atlantic University's Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and Cross Country Healthcare, which showed that most nurses are uncomfortable using AI and have deep concerns about its safety and efficacy.

South Florida Hospital News

The May issue of South Florida Hospital News and Healthcare Report featured coverage of the College of Nursing's 45th anniversary celebration, as well as the college's recently named research and faculty awardees for the 2023-24 academic year.

South Florida Hospital News

Dr. Lisa Wiese was highlighted in Yahoo! Finance News as a "Top Palm Beach County Professional On the Move" following her recent appointment to the Palm Health Foundation's Board of Trustees.

Faculty Publications


PEER-REVIEWED PAPERS/ARTICLES

*#Netter, M., Heck, J., Koszalinski, R., Shreffler, K., & Jones, E. Improving PrEP accessibility for women: Role of nurse practitioners. Women’s Healthcare: The Official journal of the National Association of Nurse Practitioner’s in Women’s Health – Women’s Healthcare. 


(* = data-based, # = Caring Science)

Employment Opportunities


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FAU/NCHA Community Health Centers

Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center

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