william f. connell
school of nursing
spring/summer 2009
a sense of community: service-driven clinical placements
looking for answers: creating change in haiti
from the dean
bc
Susan Gennaro
nursing
spring/summer 2009
news
4 dean, faculty on nih study sections
This issue of the Voice highlights
some of our many clinical
partnerships. I am sure you will
agree with me that the work our
faculty and students are doing
in the community is outstanding
and that some of our models
for community health clinical
experiences are truly innovative.
C
learly, community health
doesn’t just occur in this
country and so we are glad
to also highlight the work of our
community health faculty in other
countries, such as Clinical Assistant
Professor Donna Cullinan’s work in
Haiti (p. 26). As you will read, Mrs.
Cullinan provides many services
while in Haiti, including working
with families in Léogâne to help
identify mothers who are able to
keep their children well nourished,
and then having these successful
mothers teach others with equally
limited resources who are having
more difficulty in keeping their children fed. Whether they are working
in Boston or around the world, our
community health faculty members
bring the ability to listen to the community in developing models of care
that work.
2
Boston College Nursing Voice
Susan Gennaro and Barbara Wolfe asked to
serve on NIH study sections; Wolfe named
chair of the nursing science section
4 harvard catalyst grant for gregory
Katherine Gregory receives grant from
Harvard Catalyst to study necrotizing
enterocolitis in premature infants
9 new diversity board
18
Nursing leaders make up the newly formed
Diversity Advisory Board
features
18 a sense of community
Clinical placements that build skills and
give back to the community
26 looking for answers
Working to improve care and create lasting
change in Haiti
Other collaborations I’d like to
bring to your attention include
research partnerships such as
Assistant Professor Katherine
Gregory’s work with the Harvard
Catalyst (p. 4). Dr. Gregory’s
research is a ground-breaking project that partners Boston College
with Brigham and Women’s
Hospital and Harvard Medical
School in conducting translational
research that has the potential to
improve the health of our youngest
patients—preterm infants in the
neonatal intensive care unit.
We highlight our clinical and
research partnerships in order to
recognize the collaborative, interdisciplinary nature of nursing. You
will see this focus continue as the
Connell School strengthens existing collaborative partnerships and
builds new ones, both in Boston’s
top-notch healthcare community
and around the globe.
I am also pleased that so many
alumnae/i have sent in updates.
Since I came to the Connell School
in July, I’ve had the opportunity to
connect personally with many of
you. I look forward to creating more
opportunities to celebrate your successes. I hope that many of you will
join us on Alumni Weekend at the
Connell School of Nursing where
we will celebrate each other, our
past and our future. I will look forward to seeing you then.
voices
13 faculty publications
32 student voice: kristen padulsky ’08
5
33
26
The new peer-led freshmen seminar program
33 donor profile: debbie hoffman ’79
How one alum knew Boston College was the
place for her
34 alumnae/i voice
42 dialogue
Jennifer Allen and Danny Willis: Nursing as a
service profession
dean
Susan Gennaro
editor
Joshua J. Jensen
Susan Gennaro, RN, DSN, FAAN
Dean and Professor
28
art director and associate editor
Kirsten Erwin
contributors
Jennifer Dacey Allen
Kristen Padulsky ’08
Danny G. Willis
The Boston College Nursing Voice is published twice a year
by the Boston College William F. Connell School of Nursing,
Office of Marketing and External Relations.
We welcome letters and comments from readers at:
photography
Kerry Burke
Donna Cullinan
Kirsten Erwin
Lee Pellegrini
Stephen Vedder
Office of Marketing and External Relations
William F. Connell School of Nursing
Boston College
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
or by email: nursing.alums@bc.edu
On the cover: Jonathan Babiarz ’09, Afua Serwaah ’09, Clinical Instructor Lynn Finn, and Julie McDermott ’09 take a break from their clinical placement at a health
fair run by Cathedral Cares, a parish nursing program led by Finn at the Church of the Holy Cross in Boston’s South End.
spring/summer 2009
3
news
gennaro and wolfe to
serve on nih study sections; wolfe named chair
Connell School Dean Susan Gennaro
and Associate Dean for Research
Barbara Wolfe have both been asked
to serve on study sections for the
Center for Scientific Review at the
National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Susan Gennaro was appointed to the
Nursing Science: Children and Families Study Section. Barbara Wolfe was
named chair of the Nursing Science:
Adults and Older Adults Study Section, on which she has served since
2006.
Study sections review grant applications submitted to the NIH, make
recommendations on these applications to the appropriate NIH national
advisory council or board, and survey
the status of research in their fields
of science. The study sections are
concerned with preventing, delaying
the onset, and slowing the progression of disease and disability within
a certain population. The Children
and Families Study Section focuses
on preconception to young adulthood, while the Adults and Older
Adults Study Section is concerned
with mid-life and older adults.
Members are selected on the basis
of demonstrated expertise in their
scientific discipline as evidenced by
the quality of research accomplishments, publications in scientific
journals, and other significant scientific activities and achievements.
Study section membership is a
prestigious honor which represents
a major commitment of professional
time and energy, as well as a unique
opportunity to contribute to the
national biomedical research effort.
4
Boston College Nursing Voice
amar receives excellence
in nursing award
Angela Amar, assistant professor
of nursing at the Connell School,
was honored with the Excellence
in Nursing Award from the New
England Regional Black Nurses
Association (NERBNA) at their annual Excellence in Nursing Celebration
on February 6th. The award recognizes nurses making a difference in
their communities.
Amar is the force behind the
new forensic nursing program at
Boston College, designed to meet the
demand for advanced practice nurses
to provide care for victims of crime.
Her research is focused on understanding traumatic experiences, particularly violence, and mental health
responses in adolescent and young
adult females.
Connell School Dean Susan
Gennaro comments, “Dr. Amar has
taken her passion for improving the
lives of vulnerable young women
and has harnessed this to research,
education, and practice initiatives.
She is clearly a leader in education,
research and nursing practice, and
she motivates others and demonstrates her passion by taking caring
and excellence to another level every
day.”
Amar also leads the STARS program at the Connell School, a project
whose goal is to create an academic
and supportive infrastructure to promote success in nursing students
who are academically at risk, many
of whom are racially/ethnically
diverse, speak English as a second
language, or are economically disadvantaged.
The New England Regional Black
Nurses Association is part of a
national effort to unify, educate,
and increase the number of African
American nurses. The organization
advocates for and provides optimum
health services to African Americans
and to other underserved communities.
gregory receives harvard
catalyst pilot grant
Assistant Professor Katherine
Gregory, along with her investigative team, was awarded a Harvard
Catalyst Pilot Grant to study the
microbiome aspects of necrotizing
enterocolitis (NEC) in premature
infants. NEC is one of the most
serious complications of premature
infant birth, a life-threatening gastrointestinal disease associated with
malnutrition, growth failure, neurodevelopmental delay, and prolonged
neonatal hospitalization among
survivors.
As an investigator on this multidisciplinary project, Gregory will
assess the usefulness of stool
samples obtained from premature
infants to develop a microbiome profile that will predict NEC in a population of extremely low gestational
age infants. The use of stool samples
for this type of research is advantageous because obtaining stool is
noninvasive, and will not deplete
the premature infant of a limited
blood volume. Gregory believes that
defining the intestinal microbiota in
premature infants at risk for NEC
will lead to a better understanding
of the pathogenesis of the disease,
and eventually an improved ability to
develop disease prediction strategies
and clinical interventions that will
prevent it.
Harvard Catalyst is a Harvard
University enterprise funded by
the National Institutes of Health. It
offers a systemic way for investigators from disparate disciplines and
institutions to find each other and
form teams, to gain open access to
tools and technologies, and to obtain
seed funding to embark upon new
areas of investigation. In addition
to Boston College, Harvard Catalyst
includes the 10 schools and 18 academic healthcare centers that are
part of the Harvard system, including MIT, the Cambridge Health
Alliance, Harvard Pilgrim Health
Care, and numerous community
partners.
leadership for advancing nursing science
and transforming care
Alumnae/i, students, faculty, and local and national healthcare
leaders came together on October 21, 2008 for a day-long celebration
welcoming Susan Gennaro as the new dean of the Connell School.
From top left to right • Judith S. Mitiguy ’65 and Dean Susan Gennaro • Inge Corless,
professor at the MGH Institute of Health Professions with keynote speaker Beverly Malone,
CEO of the National League for Nursing • Connell School Associate Professor Nancy
Fairchild and Director of the Nurse Anesthesia Program Susan Emery • Steven Freedman,
associate dean for clinical and translational research at Harvard Medical School and Dean
Gennaro at the roundtable discussion • Former Boston College President Fr. J. Donald
Monan, S.J. introduces the panel discussion • Cathy Read, undergraduate program associate dean, talks with Kathy Barrett ’73 at the reception
spring/summer 2009
5
news
Gregory will work with Allan
Walker from Massachusetts General
Hospital and Linda Van Marter from
Brigham and Women’s Hospital and
Children’s Hospital, Boston. The
research team exemplifies the aim
of the multi disciplinary Harvard
Catalyst: to speed the reduction of
human illness.
faculty members receive
awards for education,
research
The Massachusetts Association of
Registered Nurses (MARN) has honored Susan Emery, assistant professor and director of the nurse anesthesia program, and Dorothy Jones,
professor of nursing, with awards
recognizing their contributions to
the field of nursing. The awards were
presented at MARN’s annual awards
dinner on April 3 in Dedham, MA.
Emery received the Excellence
in Nursing Education Award.
She developed, and now directs,
the nurse anesthesia program
at Boston College in collaboration with Anesthesia Associates of
Massachusetts. Her interests include
chemistry and physics of nurse anesthesia practice, the pharmacology of
anesthetics, anesthesia for geriatric
patients, and endocrine and renal
physiology.
Jones was presented the Excellence
in Nursing Research Award. Her
research includes an NIH-funded
study focusing on patients’ recovery at home following ambulatory
surgery, theory development related
to Margaret Newman’s “Health as
Expanding Consciousness,” evaluation research, and instrumentation
development. Jones is also a senior
6
Boston College Nursing Voice
nurse scientist at Massachusetts
General Hospital in Boston, and
currently serves as president of the
Eastern Nursing Research Society.
MARN bestowed Living Legends in
Massachusetts Nursing Awards upon
Professor Emeritus Marjory Gordon
and alumna Mary Ellen Doona ’67,
MS ’69. Living Legends Awards are
given annually to recognize nurses
who have made significant contributions over the course of their careers,
who have exhibited creativity and
innovation in their practices, and
who serve as inspirations to other
nurses.
students raise over $4,000
for diabetes research
The Connell School chapter of the
national Student Nurses Association
(SNA) raised over $4,000 for
the Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation during the Walk for
Diabetes in October, the most the
SNA has raised for any event to date.
The SNA has participated in a diabetes walk for the past three years;
last year they chose to walk for the
American Diabetes Association Step
Out Walk to Fight Diabetes.
“Diabetes is an issue that affects
many people and as nursing stu-
dents, we want to show our support for fighting it,” says Kristin
Ferguson, president of the Boston
College SNA chapter.
Each student worked on an individual basis to solicit donations for
the event. The average amount raised
per walker was between $50 and
$100, but Amanda Fabian and Sarah
Belden were the top contributors for
the team, with respective totals of
$2,020 and $625. “Some of the girls
who participated have diabetes or
roommates with diabetes, so they felt
particularly strongly about the issue
of raising money,” notes Ferguson.
As many as three million
Americans have type 1 diabetes, a
disease most often diagnosed in
childhood. Diabetes lasts a lifetime
and carries with it the threat of serious complications including heart
disease, stroke, blindness, kidney
failure, and amputation. The Walk
for Diabetes draws people together
to raise money in order to help find
a cure for diabetes and its complications through research.
The walk was held on October
4, 2008 at the Boston DCR Hatch
Shell around the Charles River.
Students who participated were
Kristin Ferguson ’09, Sarah Belden
’11, Laura Bloomer ’11, Jacquelyn
Clancy ’11, Erin Engstrom ’12, Kristin
Gambardella ’12, Kelly Leonard
’12, Elizabeth Long ’10, Lauren
MacQueen ’12, Camille Maddox
’10, Christine Mahoney ’11, Cristina
Manzano ’12, Caroline McEnery
’12, Amy McGinty ’11, Megan
Neuberger ’11, Lauren Nicolosi ’12,
Nicole Poulos ’11, Meghan Reading
’12, Katherine Reicher ’10, Allison
Sandler ’12, Hillary Seniuk ’12,
Amanda Terzian ’12, Catherine
Walker ’11, Amanda Fabian ’11
(School of Education), Bridget
O’Donnell ’12 (College of Arts and
Sciences), Katharine Starrett ’12
(School of Management), and Laura
Belden (sister of Sarah Belden).
krozy honored with
hispanic service award
Ronna Krozy, recently retired associate professor, is the first faculty
recipient of the Hispanic Service
Award recognizing her commitment to the Hispanic community.
The award was given by the John
A. Dinneen, S.J. Hispanic Alumni
Committee on March 28, 2009.
Krozy joined the nursing faculty at
Boston College in 1973, and has been
committed throughout her career
to placing her students with diverse
and underserved populations.
In 1990, she developed a collaborative project with the medical missionary group Por Cristo,
which provided students with the
opportunity to learn through immersion about social justice and health
disparity. Through this program,
Krozy led her students to one of the
poorest areas of Ecuador where they
conducted classes, cared for patients,
and helped construct houses and
latrines. In 1996, she was awarded
a Fulbright scholarship for her work
in Ecuador, and also received the Por
Cristo Foundation’s Volunteer of the
Year award.
In 2005, Krozy helped launch the
Connell School of Nursing Global
Health Initiative, an immersion trip
which serves as an undergraduate
community clinical placement and
an opportunity for nurse practitioner
students to earn supervised practice
hours. Students bring donated medicines and supplies, provide one-onone nursing care, and teach health
promotion strategies in Spanish to a
group of volunteer health promoters
from the community.
A staunch advocate for recruitment
of diverse and underrepresented students, Krozy has consistently put her
knowledge and experience to work
for populations dominated by the
inequality of healthcare.
Connell School alumna T. Heather
Herdman (MS ’91, PhD ’95) presented Jones and Gordon with the award,
noting that she considers herself
lucky to count both women as her
own mentors.
NANDA International is a global
network of professional nurses that
seeks to improve the healthcare of all
people by developing, refining, and
promoting terminology that accurately reflects nurses’ clinical judgments. The organization provides
the world’s leading evidence-based
nursing diagnoses for use in practice
and to determine interventions and
outcomes, and also funds research
through the NANDA-I Foundation.
international organization honors faculty with
mentorship award
Professor Dorothy Jones and
Professor Emeritus Marjory Gordon
both received the Mentor’s Award,
the highest honor presented by the
North American Nursing Diagnosis
Association (NANDA International).
The award is dedicated to a NANDA
International member who has
shown a commitment to mentoring other nurses in the pursuit of
their careers, in the advancement
of standardized nursing language,
and in the leadership of the NANDA
International organization. NANDA
International Executive Director and
phd candidate awarded
grant for neonatal
research
Connell School PhD candidate
Kim Francis has been awarded a
Foundation for Neonatal Research
and Education (FNRE) grant to
support her dissertation research.
Francis’s area of interest is infant
pain assessment and management,
and she is currently developing a
pain assessment instrument for the
extremely low gestational age (ELGA)
infant. A neonatal intensive care
spring/summer 2009
7
news
unit nurse for 14 years and an assistant nurse manager for two years
at Women and Infants Hospital,
Francis is currently the neonatal clinical nurse specialist for the obstetrical service at MGH.
The FNRE seeks to promote the
development of expertise in the
neonatal profession and prepare
neonatal nurses for the future. They
do this by funding research and
programs to strengthen neonatal
nursing, evaluating neonatal nursing
interventions and patient outcomes,
and promoting neonatal education.
The foundation offers research
grants to neonatal nurses who
are actively engaging in a service,
research, or educational role that
contributes directly to the healthcare
of neonates or to the neonatal nursing profession.
coat drive helps
hundreds stay warm
in mattapan
Hundreds of coats were distributed
to Haitian families last November
at the Voice of the Gospel Church
in Boston’s Mattapan neighborhood
as part of a coat drive organized
by Connell School faculty member
Jennifer Allen and Master’s Entry
students Ashley Younger, Dana Mars,
and Maki Ishida. Over a period of
two days, all the coats found owners as families in the community
heard about the event on the radio or
through word of mouth. Thanks to
the Boston College students, faculty,
and staff, as well as staff at the DanaFarber Cancer Institute who donated
coats, many people in this underserved community stayed warmer
this past winter.
8
Boston College Nursing Voice
research findings, and stimulating
translation of research into practice.
Carol Ferrans, professor and associate dean for research, College of
Nursing at the University of Illinois
at Chicago, acted as Butt’s conference mentor.
new diversity board at the connell school
The Connell School has renewed its commitment to developing and nurturing a diverse nursing workforce through the formation of a Diversity
Advisory Board. Associate Dean of the Undergradute Program Cathy Read
states, “As part of a university whose mission is to unite high academic
achievement with service to others, the Connell School is uniquely positioned to provide leadership for change. The Diversity Advisory Board will
provide insight and guidance as the school plans and implements programs that reflect a commitment to advancing and sustaining an organizational culture that fully welcomes diversity and inclusiveness.”
connell school
professor, alumna corecipients of excellence
in research award
doctoral student
awarded scholarship to
attend oncology nursing
research conference
Clare Butt, second-year doctoral
student at the Connell School, was
selected as one of the recipients of
an Oncology Nursing Society (ONS)
Foundation Scholarship for the ONS
10th National Conference on Cancer
Nursing Research, held February
12-14 in Orlando, Florida.
Butt was grateful for the opportunity to hear about the latest research
in cancer nursing, to network with
fellow nursing researchers, and to
learn more about hope and quality
of life. Under the guidance of her
advisor, Associate Dean of Graduate
Programs Patricia Tabloski, Butt
plans to study hope in cancer survivors for her dissertation, and to
publish the results of this research at
a future Oncology Nursing Research
Conference. As a doctoral fellow in
the Office for Nursing Research, Butt
is currently working on the office’s
website under the direction of
Associate Dean for Research Barbara
Wolfe.
The conference is dedicated to
oncology nursing research, providing a forum for the dissemination of
The American Psychiatric Nurses
Association (APNA) honored
Professor June Horowitz and Connell
School alumna Nancy Hanrahan
MS ’92, PhD ’03 with the Award for
Excellence in Research at their 22nd
annual conference on October 17,
2008.
A professional organization of over
5000 members, APNA is committed
to the specialty practice of psychiatric-mental health nursing, health and
wellness promotion through identification of mental health issues, prevention of mental health problems,
and the care and treatment of persons with psychiatric disorders.
Horowitz is an expert in postpartum mood and anxiety disorders. She
has made outstanding contributions
to the knowledge of postpartum
depression and women’s mental
health, due in part to her meticulous
attention to method in her research.
Through her work, she hopes to
decrease the devastating effects of
postpartum depression on mothers
and their infants.
Hanrahan’s research provides one
of the only comprehensive surveys of
the psychiatric workforce. Her most
recent research examines the quality
of care in psychiatric inpatient units.
phd student receives
grant for simulation
scenario development
PhD student Brian French, along
with his team of nurse researchers
from the Institute for Patient Care
at Massachusetts General Hospital,
has been awarded a grant for simulation scenario development. The grant
was given by the Massachusetts
Department of Higher Education
as part of a statewide initiative to
address the nursing shortage and
better prepare nurses and nursing
educators.
French will serve as program
manager for the Knight Simulation
Program, which will fund the development of a simulation scenario—a
critical learning situation using simulation manikins. These manikins
are increasingly valuable tools allowing nurses to practice skills with no
risk to patients.
The Knight Simulation Program’s
proposed scenario will incorporate
broad principles of geriatric and
palliative care, specifically the delivery of patient- and family-focused
care to a patient of color at the end
of life. Through this simulation scenario, French and his team hope to
improve nurses’ knowledge, skills,
From top left to right • Linda Battle, MSN, PHCNS-BC, manager of academic partnerships and nursing workforce development, Cambridge Health Alliance, adjunct faculty at
Regis College • Eva Gomez, RN, MSN, staff development specialist, Children’s Hospital
Boston, facilitator for the Multi-Cultural Nurses Forum, member of the Children’s
Hospital Diversity and Culturally Competent Care Council • Norma Martínez Rogers,
PhD, RN, FAAN, associate professor/clinical, University of Texas Health Science Center at
San Antonio • Rolando Perea, RN, MSN, CS, clinical director, Emergency Department at
Fatima Hospital, clinical director of provider services for medical strategies and management systems • Angelleen Peters-Lewis, RN, PhD, director, women and newborn’s nursing and clinical services, Brigham and Women’s Hospital • Deborah Washington, RN,
MSN, director, diversity patient care services, Massachusetts General Hospital
spring/summer 2009
9
news
and attitudes related to the care of
geriatric patients.
Boston College is French’s
academic partner on the project
proposal, and Associate Dean of
Graduate Programs Patricia Tabloski
and Associate Professor of Nursing
Rita Oliveri will be providing content
expertise and serving as a review
panel for the finished scenario.
demarco honored with
family research award
Rosanna DeMarco, associate professor, is the 2009 recipient of The
Suzanne Feetham Nurse Scientist
Family Research Award, given by the
Eastern Nursing Research Society
(ENRS).
The award is presented annually to
a nurse researcher whose program
of research and scholarship focuses
on the study of family and familyrelated research. The award acknowledges outstanding contributions
to family research in its broadest
context such as research relevant to
individuals, families and their communities, and social and healthcare
policy.
DeMarco’s work is focused on
women, marginalization, and health
behaviors including women
living with HIV/AIDS and nurses
in the workplace. Her research seeks
to advance health policy using her
model of collaborative communitybased knowledge. She is the coproducer of the film Women’s Voices
Women’s Lives, which she uses in
her intervention research. The film
is used by AIDS service organizations across the United States and
has been translated into Spanish and
Vietnamese.
10 Boston College Nursing Voice
doctoral student receives
grants for genetic
research
Doctoral student Patricia Underwood
was awarded two grants for her
work to find genetic markers for
insulin resistance in patients
with hypertension. She received a
National Research Service Award
(NRSA) from the National Institute
of Nursing Research (NINR) at
the National Institutes of Health
(NIH), as well as a grant from the
International Society of Nurses in
Genetics (ISONG). Underwood’s
project sponsors include Catherine
Read, associate dean of the undergraduate program, and Gordon
Williams, professor of medicine at
Harvard Medical School, director of
the Center for Clinical Investigation
at Brigham and Women’s Hospital,
and research professor at Boston
College.
Underwood received her undergraduate degree in molecular biology at Lehigh University and completed an accelerated BSN program
at the University of Pennsylvania
before coming to Boston College.
An MS/PhD student, she finished
her master’s degree last year and
is currently in the third year of her
PhD program. In 2007, she also
attended the Summer Genetics
Institute at NINR/NIH, an intensive
two-month summer research training program designed to provide a
foundation in molecular genetics for
use in research in clinical practice.
Underwood describes the Summer
Genetics Institute as instrumental
in getting the grant, as it provided
her with an additional foundation in
genetics and how to use that knowledge in clinical research.
Underwood will train at Brigham
and Women’s Hospital to identify
genetic markers associated with
insulin resistance among patients
with hypertension by using DNA
sequencing techniques and a candidate gene approach. She then
plans to work with an interdisciplinary team to develop individualized
prevention and treatment plans for
patients based on their genetic markers. With the help of her two grants,
Underwood will be able to continue
this work for the next three and a
half years.
eldredge honored at
football game as nominee
for community service
award
Maureen Eldredge, undergraduate
program assistant at the Connell
School, was honored as the Massachusetts State Lottery Community
Champion for the community service
work that she has done at Boston
College. The Massachusetts State
Lottery and Boston College Athletics have a partnership, and within
this partnership the lottery selects a
person at each home Boston College
football game who has given back
to the community and made Massachusetts a better place. Eldredge
was honored between the third and
fourth quarters at the Boston College
vs. Notre Dame game on Saturday
night, November 8th.
Eldredge, who has been at Boston
College for 17 years, was also given
the 2008 Community Service Award
by Boston College President William
P. Leahy, SJ this past May.
nursing degree programs that use
the Roy Adaptation Model in theory
teaching. Their poster was entitled
“Nursing Theory-Based Research:
Useful or Passé?”
The three Elizabeths are all participants in the Undergraduate
Research Fellows Program, which
enables selected students to gain
firsthand experience in scholarly
work by participating with a faculty
member on a research project.
undergraduate student
publishes article in
nursing for women’s
health
connell school undergraduates take part in
research symposium
On February 6, three Connell School
students participated in the annual
Boston College Undergraduate
Research Symposium. Elizabeth
Ryan, Elizabeth Johnson, and
Elizabeth Long (pictured from left to
right) all displayed posters and gave
presentations.
Ryan, who won the award for
best student poster for her work
entitled “High Frequency Problems
in Patients Hospitalized for the
First Time with Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease,” worked with
Assistant Professor Jane Flanagan.
Johnson and Long worked with
Professor Callista Roy to update
the literature review of accredited
Connell School sophomore Kimberly
Pomerleau recently published an
article in Nursing for Women’s Health.
Pomerleau attended the 2008 conference of the Association of Women’s
Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal
Nurses (AWHONN) in Los Angeles
in June of 2008.
AWHONN is the specialty organization for neonatal, obstetrical, and
women’s health nurses and provides
professional resources and support to nurses who are caring for or
developing knowledge to improve
the care of women and infants.
The article, “Attracting students
to professional organizations: One
student’s thoughts after attending
the AWHONN convention,” highlights the benefits of participation in
professional organizations. In addition to the scientific knowledge she
gained and the cutting-edge technology she encountered, Pomerleau
says she felt a “sense of belonging
and connection to the field” and
inspiration from the nurse leaders
she met.
international discussion
on gerontology and
ethics held at the
connell school
On September 22, the Connell
School hosted an important dialogue about gerontology and ethics
with a leader in the UK nursing
community. Derek Sellman is a
mental health nurse, editor of the
international peer-reviewed journal Nursing Philosophy, and faculty
member at the School of Health and
Social Care at the University of the
West of England in Bristol, United
Kingdom. Researching under the
Winston Churchill Travel Fellowhip,
Sellman engaged faculty members
and students studying gerontology
in a discussion examining nurse
preparation for ethical care of the
elderly in hospital and residential
settings. The focus of his interest has
two parts: how nurses in the US are
prepared ethically in relation to care
of the older person, and whether ethics taught to nurses and in general
distinguishes between “normal” and
“elderly” adult patients.
Sellman engaged the students
in conversation, asking each what
brought her into gerontology.
Students spoke about their experi-
spring/summer 2009
11
ences with palliative care and the
misconceptions that still surround
the topic, even within the nursing
community, as limited to end-oflife care. Sellman talked about the
difficulties in deciding who will be
best served by care, asking, “Is age a
good indicator?” Students responded
with examples of patients in their
40s whose quality of life was significantly lower than those in their 80s.
All seemed to be in agreement that
determining who is deserving of care
is generally not about the number of
years, that people’s lives are beneficial in their own terms at any age.
Discussion also centered around
the nurse’s role in supporting families, especially when preparing for
death. Associate Dean of Graduate
Programs Patricia Tabloski shared
a story about caring for an elderly
woman who was close to the end of
her life. The family informed her
that other relatives were planning to
fly in for the funeral, to which she
responded, “Why don’t they come
now, while she’s here? Have them
spend time with her, share stories—
don’t wait for the funeral.” If family
members are able to adopt this attitude, they are more likely to let the
loved one go peacefully in an environment surrounded by memories
and love, and nurses play a part by
offering support to the family members as well as the patient.
The discussion raised by Sellman
and the Connell School faculty and
students was beneficial to everyone
involved, and a fascinating opportunity to better understand issues surrounding gerontologic ethics and the
approaches taken to teaching them
in both the United States and the
United Kingdom.
12 Boston College Nursing Voice
“I’ve received
more joy from
combining my
nursing and
research skills
than I ever
would have
thought.”
faculty publications
allen, jennifer
Allen JD, Mohllajee AP, Shelton RC,
Drake BF, & Mars DR. A computertailored intervention to promote
informed decision making for
prostate cancer screening among
African-American men. American
Journal of Men’s Health 2008; DO1:
101177/1557988308325460 [Epub ahead
of print].
Allen JD, Mohllajee AP, Shelton RC,
Othus M, Fontenot HB, & Hanna
R (2009). Stage of adoption of the
human papillomavirus vaccine among
college women, Preventative Medicine,
1-6. [Epub ahead of print].
amar, angela
Amar AF (in press). Violence
education: critical reflection on
personal stories of victims. Journal of
Forensic Nursing, 4(1), 12-18.
Amar AF & Burgess AW (in press).
Rape and its impact on victims. In:
Hazelwood & Burgess. Practical Rape
Investigation (4th ed.).
Are you ready to solve emerging challenges in nursing and health care?
earn a phd in nursing at boston college.
Get involved with leading-edge nursing research being conducted at the
Connell School. Our faculty includes leaders in nursing science, who are
conducting major federally funded research projects, editing and publishing
in top-ranked research journals, reviewing grants for NIH study sections,
and partnering with Harvard-affiliated teaching hospitals and scientists.
These leaders will mentor you in the development of your research potential,
and help you build your own national and international research network.
Learn more about the PhD program at bc.edu/nursing/programs/doctoral.html
PhD candidate Patricia Underwood conducts her research at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s
Hospital, looking at genetic markers for insulin resistance in patients with hypertension. To
fund her work, Underwood has received a National Research Service Award (NRSA) from the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) and a research grant from the International Society
of Nurses in Genetics (ISONG).
Amar AF & Clements PT (2009). The
intersections of violence, crime, and
mental health. Journal of the American
Psychiatric Nursing Association, 14(6)
410-412 (Guest Editorial).
aruda, mary
Aruda MM, McCabe M, Burke P, &
Litty C (2008). Adolescent pregnancy
diagnosis and outcomes: a six-year
clinical sample. Journal of Pediatric
and Adolescent Gynecology, 21, 17-19.
Aruda MM, Waddicor K, Cole JCM, &
Burke P (in press). Early pregnancy in
adolescents: diagnosis, assessment,
options counseling, and referral.
Journal of Pediatric Health Care.
barone, stacey
Barone SH, Roy CL, Frederickson
KC (2008). Instruments used in roy
adaptation model-based research:
review, critique, and future directions.
Journal of Nursing Science Quarterly,
21(4), 353-362.
burgess, ann wolbert
Alexy EM, Burgess AW, & Prentky RA
(2009). Pornography use as a risk
marker for an aggressive pattern of
behavior among sexually reactive
children and adolescents. Journal
of the American Psychiatric Nurses
Association, 14(6), 442-453.
Lewis-O’Connor A, Burgess AW,
Nugent-Borokove E, & Fanflik P
(in press). The Evolution of SANE/
SART—are there differences? Journal
of Forensic Nursing.
Burgess AW, Mahoney M, Visk J,
& Morgenbesser L (2008). Cyber
child sexual exploitation. Journal of
Psychosocial Nursing and Mental
Health Services, 46, 38-45.
Roberts AR & Burgess AW (in press).
Victimology: past, present and future.
New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc.
Burgess AW, Regehr C, & Roberts A
(in press). Victimology: theory and
practice. Philadelphia: Jones & Bartlett.
demarco, rosanna
DeMarco RF, Roberts SJ, Norris AE, &
McCurry M (2008). The development
of the nurse workplace scale (NWS):
self-advocating behaviors and beliefs
in the professional workplace. Journal
of Professional Nursing, 24(5), 296301.
Vessey JA & DeMarco RF (2008).
The undergraduate research fellows
program: a unique model to promote
engagement in research. Journal of
Professional Nursing, 24(6), 358-363.
Roberts S, DeMarco RF, & Griffin M
(in press). The effect of oppressed
group behavior on the culture of
the nursing workplace: a review of
evidence and interventions for change.
Journal of Nursing Management.
DeMarco RF, Pulcini J, & Haggerty L.
(in press). The doctorate in nursing
practice: a survey of Massachusetts
nurses. Journal of Professional
Nursing.
DeMarco RF, Kendricks M, Dolmo Y,
Dolan Looby S, & Rinne K (in press).
The dffect of prevention messages and
self-efficacy skill building with inner
city women at risk for HIV infection.
Journal of Association of Nurses in
AIDS Care.
flanagan, jane
Abdallah L, Remington R, Devereaux
Melillo K, & Flanagan J (2008).
Nursing management of the nursing
home patient on antipsychotic
medications. Nursing, 38(10), 28-31.
Flanagan J (2009). Patient and nurse
experiences of theory-based nursing
care. Journal of Nursing Science
Quarterly, 22(2), 160-172.
Flanagan J (2008). Ethical issues for
advanced practice nurses caring for
the adult health population. In: Grace
P. Nursing Ethics and Professional
spring/summer 2009
13
faculty publications
Responsibility in Advanced Practice.
Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
Flanagan J & Jones DA (2009).
Evaluation of the advanced
practice nurse: cost efficiency,
accomplishments, trends and future
development. In: Joel L. Advanced
Practice Nursing: Essentials for Role
Development. Philadelphia: F.A.
Davis.
fontenot, holly
Hawkins J & Fontenot H (2008).
Cognitive dissonance in faculty roles:
lots of questions, few answers. Journal
of the American Academy of Nurse
Practitioners, 20, 289-290.
Fontenot H & Harris A (2008). Latest
advances in hormonal contraception.
Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and
Neonatal Nursing, 37, 369-374.
Fontenot, H (in press). A thank you
[letter]. BMJ.
Allen JD, Mohllaje A, Shelton R, Othus
M, Fontenot H, & Hanna R (2009).
Stage of adoption of the human
papillomavirus vaccine among college
women. Preventative Medicine, 1-6
[Epub ahead of print].
Hawkins J, Fontenot H, & Harris
A (2008). Fertility control: Chapter
16. In: Fogel C & Woods NF (Ed.s).
Women’s Health Care in Advanced
Practice. New York: Springer
Publishing Company.
Gennaro S (2008). Sing of significance
[Editorial]. Journal of Nursing
Scholarship, 40, 99.
Gennaro S (2008). Celebrating 40
years of disseminating knowledge
that improves global health [Editorial].
Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 40,
1-2.
Gennaro S (2008). The shadow of
your smile [Editorial]. MCN, 33, 6.
grace, pamela
Haggerty LA & Grace PJ (2008).
Clinical wisdom: the essential
component of ‘good’ nursing care.
Journal of Professional Nursing, 24(4),
235-240.
Grace PJ (2008). Genetics, aging,
and primary care: ethical implications
for clinicians. In Read CY, Green
RC, & Smyer MA (Ed.s). Aging,
biotechnology and the future.
Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins
University Press. Chapter 17.
Grace PJ, & Hardt E (2008). Ethics
Column: I don’t trust hospitals and
I don’t want strangers in my home!
Should Mrs. Rosario be permitted to
refuse assistance? American Journal of
Nursing, 108(8), 36-38.
Grace PJ (2008). Nursing ethics
and professional responsibility in
advanced practice. Sudbury, MA: Jones
& Bartlett Publishers.
gregory, katherine
gennaro, susan
Gennaro S, Shult, J, & Garry D (2008).
Stress and preterm labor and birth in
Black women. Journal of Obstetric,
Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 37,
538-545.
14 Boston College Nursing Voice
Gregory KE (in press). Necrotizing
enterocolitis: findings from a
retrospective medical record review.
Newborn and Infant Nursing Reviews.
harris, alyssa
jones, dorothy
Harris AL (2008). Practice week at
a glance. Director of operations and
advanced practice nurse. Nursing
Forum, 43(3), 162-167.
Erickson JI, Ditomassi MO, & Jones
DA (2008). Interdisciplinary institute
for patient care: advancing clinical
excellence. Journal of Nursing
Administration, 38(6), 308-314.
Fontenot H & Harris A (2008). Latest
advances in hormonal contraception.
Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic &
Neonatal Nursing, 37(3), 369-374.
Hawkins J, Fontenot H, & Harris
A (2008). Fertility control: Chapter
16. In: Fogel C & Woods NF (Ed.s).
Women’s health care in advanced
practice. New York: Springer
Publishing Company.
horowitz, june andrews
Vessey JA, Horowitz JA, Duffy M, &
Carlson KL (2008). Psychometric
evaluation of the CATS: Child
Adolescent Teasing Scale. Journal of
School Health, 78, 344-350.
Horowitz JA & Marchetti C (in press).
Mood disorders in childhood and
adolescence. In: Jackson Allen PL,
Vessey JA, & Schapiro N (Ed.s).
Primary Care of the Child with a
Chronic Condition (6th ed.). St. Louis:
Mosby, Inc.
Horowitz JA (in press). Stress
management. In Edelman CL &
Mandle CL (Ed.s). Health Promotion
Throughout the Lifespan (7th ed.). St.
Louis: Mosby.
Horowitz JA (in press). The
therapeutic relationship. In: Edelman
CL & Mandle CL (Ed.s). Health
Promotion Throughout the Lifespan
(7th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby.
new books by connell school faculty
kelly-weeder, susan
Kelly-Weeder S (2008). Binge drinking
in college-aged women: framing a
gender-specific prevention strategy.
Journal of the American Academy of
Nurse Practitioners, 20(12), 577-584.
pulcini, joyce
Tourse R, Mooney JF, ShindulRothschild J, Prince J, Pulcini J,
Platt S, & Savranski H (2008). The
university/community partnership:
transdisciplinary course development.
Journal of Interprofessional Care.
Ann Wolbert Burgess: Practical Aspects of
Rape Investigation
DeMarco R, Pulcini J, Haggerty L,
& Tang T (2009). The doctorate
in nursing practice: a survey of
Massachusetts nurses. Journal of
Professional Nursing, 25(2), 75-80.
Joyce Pulcini: Manual of Ambulatory
Pediatrics
Sheetz A, Pulcini J, & DeSisto M
(2008). Establishing a primary care
practice-based research network for
school nurses: the Massachusetts
experience. Journal of School Health,
78, 172-174.
read, catherine
Underwood PC & Read CY (2008).
Genetic association studies in nursing
practice and scholarship. Journal of
Nursing Scholarship, 40(3), 212-218.
Sister Callista Roy: The Roy Adaptation
Model, 3rd ed.
roy, callista, sr.
Barone SH, Roy CL, & Frederickson
KC (2008). Instruments used in Roy
Patricia Tabloski: Gerontological Nursing,
2nd ed.
spring/summer 2009
15
clinical research certificate
Give back to the
nursing profession...
precept a BC
graduate student.
continuing education program
adaptation model-based research:
review, critique, and future directions.
Journal of Nursing Science Quarterly,
21(4), 353-362.
Roy CL, Whetsell MV, & Frederickson,
K (in press). The Roy adaptation
model and research: global
perspective. Journal of Nursing
Science Quarterly.
“I’ve been a preceptor for BC ever since
I finished my first full year of practice.
I love to take students from that initial
insecurity to confidence in their skills.”
katherine forbes-smith, ms, aprn, bc
Graduate Preceptor Benefits
Boston College offers graduate preceptors
a choice of the following benefits as a thank
you for precepting a student eight (8) hours
per week for one semester or four (4) hours
per week for the academic year:
v A Continuing Education voucher. This
option gives you a $100 discount toward a
course offered through our Continuing
Education Division.
v Registration discount toward the Northeast Regional NP Conference. A $100 credit
will be applied toward your registration fee.
v One semester hour of tuition credit
toward a credit-bearing course in the
Connell School of Nursing. This benefit can
be accrued for a maximum of three years,
to cover the tuition costs for a three-credit
graduate nursing course.
Preceptors also have access to:
v Boston College libraries
v Campus cultural events and museums
v Networking and research opportunities
For more information, contact
Chris Benson at 617-552-1558 or at
christine.benson.1@bc.edu
16 Boston College Nursing Voice
Roy CL, & Zhan L (in press). Sister
Callista Roy’s adaptation model and
its applications. In Parker M & Smith
M. Nursing Theories and Nursing
Practice (3rd ed.). Philadelphia: F.A.
Davis.
shindul-rothschild, judith
Tourse R, Mooney JF, ShindulRothschild J, Prince J, Pulcini J,
Platt S, & Savranski H (2008). The
university/community partnership:
transdisciplinary course development.
Journal of Interprofessional Care.
Shindul-Rothschild J (2009).
Nursing care (Chapter 8, 135-156), In:
Rothschild AJ (Ed.). Clinical Manual
for the Diagnosis and Treatment of
Psychotic Depression. Washington,
DC: American Psychiatric Publishing,
Inc.
siefert, mary
Siefert ML, Williams A, Dowd MF,
Chappel-Aiken L, & McCorkle R
(2008). The caregiving experience in
a racially diverse sample of cancer
family caregivers. Cancer Nursing: An
International Journal for Cancer Care,
31, 399-407.
McCorkle R, Dowd M, Ercolano E,
Schulman-Green D, Willimans AL,
Siefert ML, Steiner J, & Schwartz
P (2009). Effects of a nursing
intervention on quality of life
outcomes in post-surgical women
with gynecological cancers. PsychoOncology, 18(1), 62-70.
tabloski, patricia
Tabloski PA (2009). Gerontological
Nursing, 2nd Edition. Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Pearson.
vessey, judith
Vessey JA, Horowitz JA, Duffy M, &
Carlson, KL (2008). Psychometric
evaluation of the CATS: ChildAdolescent Teasing Scale. Journal of
School Health, 78, 344-350.
Allen PJ, Vessey JA, & Schapiro NA
(Eds.). (in press). Primary Care of the
Child with a Chronic Condition (5th
ed.). St. Louis: Mosby-Yearbook.
willis, danny
Willis DG (2008). Male-on-male rape
of an adult man: a case review and
implications for interventions. Journal
of the American Psychiatric Nurses
Association, 14(6), 454-461.
ye, lichuan
Ye L, Liang Z, & Weaver TE (2008).
Predictors of health-related quality of
life in patients with obstructive sleep
apnea. Journal of Advanced Nursing,
63(1), 54-63.
Ye L, Pien GW, & Weaver TE (in press).
Gender differences in the clinical
manifestation of obstructive sleep
apnea. Sleep Medicine.
Our Clinical Research Certificate Program includes a rigorous curriculum to prepare you for today’s competitive marketplace. The Clinical Research field—including careers as a Clinical Research Associate (CRA)
or a Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC)—is a new, stimulating, and
innovative career choice for nurses. As a result of the recent movement
to speed drug and medical device development, the need for scientifically trained professionals to coordinate research studies has increased.
The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the demand for qualified
CRAs and CRCs is expected to double over the next ten years. Professionals trained for these demanding careers are currently in short supply. Nurses have traditionally prepared for these roles through on-thejob training with physicians and scientists conducting pharmaceutical
research. The Boston College School of Nursing, Continuing Education
Office now has a program for these positions.
want to learn more? attend a free information session/clinical research open house.
for details, please call 617-552-4256 or visit us at www.bc.edu/ce
spring/summer 2009 17
a sense of
COMMUNITY
Clinical
placements
that build skills
and give back to
the community
by Joshua J. Jensen
18 Boston College Nursing Voice
spring/summer 2009 19
“C
ommunity health is fundamentally about community
context. Thus, we owe it to our students to put them
in a context where they are poised to contribute as well as
learn,” begins Clinical Assistant Professor Adele Pike, who,
along with Clinical Instructor Judith Pirolli, organizes the
community health clinical courses that undergraduate nursing students take their senior year. “Boston College’s Jesuit
mission pushes us to take on a social justice perspective. This
perspective demands that we find a pathway to meaningful
involvement in the community,” adds Pirolli.
For Boston College nursing students, the clinical experience is an opportunity to apply theory in the areas of health
promotion, disease prevention, continuity and coordination of
case, and long-term care. But according to Pike, student-learning outcomes are only half of the equation for a successful
community health program. An ideal placement, she says,
is one where students are contributing to the mission of the
organization and making a lasting positive impact on the
individuals and communities that they are serving.
To achieve this, Pike and Pirolli are building long-term,
sustainable partnerships with the community organizations
where they place Boston College students. Pike is an experienced partnership builder: in 2004, she established the
Center for Excellence in Home Care Practice and Education,
a collaborative effort between the Connell School and the
Visiting Nurse Association of Boston (VNAB). Pike’s work
on this effort has resulted in benefits for both organizations,
including access to clinical placements for Boston College
students, and access to cutting-edge nursing knowledge for
VNAB staff.
It is this partnership that is serving as a model for new and
existing clinical health sites. The three partnerships presented
here—Cathedral Cares, Casa Myrna Vazquez, and Carelink—
are examples of the range of organizations with which the
community health faculty are building new models of learning—models where giving back to the local community is as
important a goal as student learning outcomes.
Right: Francisco Rodriguez gets his cholesterol
checked by Michelle Bruno ’09 at a Cathedral Cares
health fair, while Clinical Instructor Lynn Finn looks on.
Previous page: As part of the Carelink program,
Samantha Shortell ’09 visits patient Rita Carmichael, a
former nurse, in her home.
20 Boston College Nursing Voice
spring/summer 2009 21
cathedral cares
C
linical Instructor Lynn Finn runs Cathedral Cares, a
parish nursing outreach program at the Church of the
Holy Cross in Boston’s South End. This program offers
community health services to parishioners and other members of the community surrounding the cathedral. Many
think of the South End as an affluent neighborhood, home
to Boston’s trendiest restaurants and nightlife, but the reality is quite different. Many of the cathedral’s parishioners
come from nearby Villa Victoria, a subsidized housing complex with a predominantly Latino population. Finn reports
that 90% of the students that attend the nearby Blackstone
School are below the poverty line.
While Finn does plan some traditional wellness programs
that she cites as “typical parish nursing” fare, she is also
committed to providing strong clinical services to the community. “We screen for blood sugar, cholesterol, anemia. We
do a lot of health education around these topics.” Regular
services are available in the cathedral, but Finn knows the
value of getting into the community, so she also runs regular programs at Villa Victoria and the Irish Immigration
Center.
From Finn’s perspective, she couldn’t accomplish this
without Boston College students. Finn places three students
each semester at Cathedral Cares, as well as additional students at the Blackstone School and nearby Boston Medical
Center. The students work hand-in-hand with Finn, organizing the Cathedral Cares programs and advocating on behalf
of their clients. The students do a significant amount of the
work, as virtually all of the Cathedral Cares staff—including Finn—are volunteers. Finn operates with the help of
approximately 10 nurses, one physician’s assistant, and a
small team of non clinical volunteers.
Finn is quick to point out the concrete impact her students have on the community. They have helped organize
health clinics at various sites, including a large-scale flu
vaccination effort where students administered over 600
vaccinations.
While this type of work may seem straightforward at first,
Finn notes that in practice, many of the cases are quite complex and can require untangling. “It’s not uncommon for
the students to encounter someone who for one reason or
another just isn’t taking their medication. Either they don’t
have the money or they don’t have the appropriate dose.
The students will get on the phone and follow the patient’s
22 Boston College Nursing Voice
experience through the medical system until they figure out
where the knot is. Their role is to untangle it and try to get
the person back on course.”
Students experience the challenges of working with
patients for whom English is not their primary language—
approximately 50% of the Villa Victoria residents are
Spanish-speaking, and a significant number speak primarily Chinese, Portuguese, or Haitian Creole—which further
complicates the work, but also provides a real-world context
that many students haven’t experienced before this placement.
In addition to the clinical work, students also have the
opportunity to understand the challenges of running a
community health program such as Cathedral Cares. Many
of the challenges that Finn faces are budget and logistics
related, but end up having a real impact on her ability to
reach the community. Finn notes, “The winter was so bad
this year in Boston. Father O’Leary met with us and said,
‘I’ve spent over $40,000 clearing sidewalks and I’m out
of money.’ Of course, people can’t come and see us if they
can’t make their way safely.” Finn’s students also learn the
challenges and costs of outreach. She wrestles with basic
costs such as printing signs for health fairs and taking out
small ads in the local newspaper.
For Finn, these challenges are simply another learning
opportunity for her students. This past November, a Boston
College connection led Finn and her students to CatholicTV,
which is based in Boston. Students Sarah Zumsande and
Alexandra Dziama were guests on This is the Day, where
they shared information about flu prevention, and promoted an upcoming flu clinic at the cathedral.
Finn explains the importance of the CatholicTV audience.
“When I was a visiting nurse, in nearly every house that I
went into, CatholicTV was on. And people would say, ‘Don’t
come to give me my insulin during Mass.’ We were always
trying to work around the Mass, so I know it’s very, very
popular in a lot of households. I thought that if we could
get health teaching on the TV, that’s a lot of households
that you’re going to reach.” For Finn, her students, and her
colleagues at Cathedral Cares, it’s the impact of their community outreach that is the reward.
casa myrna vazquez
G
rassroots organizers founded Casa Myrna Vazquez
in the 1970s in response to stories of local South End
women experiencing abuse by their husbands or partners.
lenges accessing other forms of healthcare. “Everyone is
Today, the organization has evolved into a key resource for
talking about improving access to health insurance, which
survivors of domestic violence seeking emergency shelis an important step. But even if an individual or family has
ter, transitional housing, and other supportive services,
insurance, there is no guarantee they will have the ability
including legal advocacy, counseling, and housing search
to access appropriate care. If you’re moving around a lot
assistance, as well as education and outreach about domesbecause you’ve lost your apartment or are in a shelter, do
tic violence. Additionally, Casa Myrna operates the 24/7
you even have a pediatrician or primary care physician?”
toll-free, multilingual, statewide hotline SafeLink (877Crouse sees community health nurses, including student
785-2020). Just this past year, Judith Pirolli and Adele Pike
nurses from Boston College, as advocates and educators for
approached Casa Myrna Vazquez, seeking creative ways to
the survivors and families who need these vital services.
partner with the organization.
Even with this potential, Crouse still faces a large barThis spring, a clinical pilot was launched. Clinical
rier that makes this placement different from all others:
Instructor Nancy Crouse was recruited to work with the
because of issues of safety and confidentiality, she is not
staff at Casa Myrna Vazquez to find a meaningful role for
able to go to the placement with the students, or observe
nursing students. An expert in psychiatric nursing in the
their work directly. For this reason, Crouse planned for a
community setting, Crouse immediately saw the value of
lot of time outside of the placement to check in with the
this partnership as a learning
students, and has many quesexperience for her students.
tions: “What have you seen?
“All kinds of light bulbs
What’s going on? What do
were going off in my head.
you think the needs are? What
Domestic violence affects
have people been saying to
many different systems
you?” In addition, Crouse is in
related to an individual. How
regular communication with
does it affect just their genthe students’ supervisor at Casa
eral health? Then how does it
Myrna Vazquez, and thus is
affect socioeconomic status?
able to provide the guidance
How does it affect emotional
that is a key component of a
status?”
strong clinical placement.
— Nancy Crouse
Seeing a clear learning
Laura Flaherty and Mary
potential for their students, Crouse, Pirolli, and Pike were
Kelly are the two students placed with Casa Myrna Vazquez
eager to explore how to craft a partnership that would
this semester. Each completed 40 hours of training, orgabenefit Casa Myrna Vazquez. They met with Casa Myrna’s
nized by the Greater Boston Domestic Violence Volunteer
Education and Prevention Specialist, Amanda Wolfe, to
Consortium, to ensure their safety and effectiveness in the
explore the value nursing students could bring to the orgadomestic violence setting. Flaherty was positive about the
nization, even at a very basic level. Crouse explains, “She
experience. “I learned so much about domestic violence,
was interested in how the students might work with the
crisis intervention, and empowering survivors. The trainchildren in the shelter, who need extra support given what’s
ing that I received will certainly impact my nursing career. I
going on with their parents. They have been uprooted from
wish that my fellow nursing students would have the opporfamiliar surroundings and faces, and their school life may
tunity to undergo the same training.”
have been disrupted. They may have issues with nutrition.
Following this intensive training, Flaherty and Kelly went
Their mothers often don’t have time to think about these
to work in a Casa Myrna Vazquez shelter, educating chilthings because their energies are going in so many different
dren and families on issues like the importance of hand
directions.”
washing and nutrition—seemingly small-scope issues but
Crouse also emphasizes the importance of community
with a significant health impact. Crouse put much thought
health in a shelter or transitional setting, because of chalinto choosing the right issues for her students to address.
These relationships offer
us an opportunity to show
agencies and organizations what
community nursing is about and
how community health nurses
can contribute, both as student
nurses and as professionals.
spring/summer 2009 23
“I did question what kinds of things the clients there would
most benefit from, as well as how the nursing role fits into
the health of these individuals and the health of the overall
community in a domestic violence shelter setting.”
Crouse, Pirolli, and Pike are already thinking about building this partnership for long-term success, and they aren’t
afraid to think outside the traditional framework of clinical
placement. For example, early on in their conversations with
Boston College, Casa Myrna noted an interest in having a
nursing presence year-round, possibly bringing in additional nursing schools or incorporating nurses into their regular
staff. The community health clinical faculty are supportive
of these goals, and have expressed a willingness to help the
organization use the Boston College relationship as a way to
explore their broader goal of expanding their services to the
community.
Crouse sees this type of creative partnering as a unique
benefit that Boston College can offer to the sites where
community health students have their clinical placements.
“These relationships offer us an opportunity to show these
agencies and organizations what community nursing is
about, and how community health nurses can contribute to
their organizations, both as student nurses and as professionals. It’s exciting to start something new.”
carelink
C
linical Instructor Mary McColgan runs a Carelink
program at Catholic Charities’ Visiting Nurse Services
(VNS) at the Labouré Center in South Boston. Carelink
allows elders with chronic diseases to remain safely in their
homes, often after a hospitalization. McColgan explains,
“Medicare and health insurance only offer home care reimbursement up to a certain point, and then, many elders
are left on their own even though they aren’t quite ready.
Carelink fills that gap.”
McColgan’s program director at Catholic Charities,
Priscilla Green, came up with the idea for starting a Carelink
program at Labouré, based on programs developed by the
Visiting Nurse Association of Central Connecticut and
the Neighborhood Visiting Nurses Association of Chester
County, Pennsylvania. Green contacted Adele Pike asking for BC’s help in establishing the program. She, Adele
Pike, and McColgan worked together and piloted the idea
with a group of graduate students last year. The program
was a success. Mary McColgan, a nurse in the employ of
Labouré’s Home Care, was recruited, hired, and oriented to
the Boston College clinical faculty last fall.
Unlike more traditional clinical placements, the Carelink
program is highly autonomous, and students are the core
service providers. While McColgan starts the semester
going with the students, the goal by the end of the semester
is for them to feel comfortable going on a home visit by
themselves. Students are nervous at first, but McColgan
reminds them that she is just a phone call away if they have
a question or a concern.
Students work with patients to
help them manage their chronic
diseases and avoid relapse or hospitalization. They address issues such
as dietary management and when
and how to take medications. They
also address issues of home safety,
such as fall risk, and how to get up
and change positions slowly.
Many of the issues that the Boston College students
address would be minor for most healthy individuals, but
are potentially life threatening for their patients. McColgan
tells a story of a woman who couldn’t open her pill bottle
because of severe arthritis. “She kept calling the pharmacy
to give her a twist-off bottle cap, and it just wasn’t happening. One of the students took this on, and was able to make
it happen. This patient is a nurse, completely capable of
advocating for herself. There are many others who aren’t as
capable who need this kind of help.”
The Carelink placement has proved as transformational
for the students as it has for their patients. The home care
setting offers a different experience than the students
have had in their previous clinical placements. McColgan
highlights the differences. “They’re not in a structure of
a hospital. The patient is in total control. They’re using
Working in a personal
environment, students see
the financial struggles and
other barriers that some of
the patients face.
Left: Clinical Instructor Nancy Crouse meets regularly to discuss
issues with the students placed at Casa Myrna Vazquez, Mary Kelly
’09 and Laura Flaherty ’09. Due to confidentiality, Crouse cannot
accompany them to the placement site—she doesn’t even know
where the shelter is located—but she plays an active role in helping
the students plan visits, such as putting together lessons on
hand washing and basic sanitation for the children living there.
24 Boston College Nursing Voice
manual blood pressure cuffs; we don’t have any automated
equipment. We’re right back to the basics.”
McColgan coaches the students on their communication skills, helping them become more at ease talking with
people about their health issues. Working in a personal
environment, students see the financial struggles and other
barriers that some of the patients face. Some situations
illustrate the value of a good support system family and
friends can provide, and others show the challenges faced
by those without strong supports.
The Boston College students also bring creativity to
the work, notes McColgan. “People have trouble reading
because they can’t see that well. One student drew a picture
to illustrate a no-salt diet, showing things the patient should
avoid as a reminder. I’m planning on taking that example
to some of the other nurses to see if
we can use it for home visits.”
In addition to learning valuable
skills, McColgan notes that the
students find hope in their work.
“Many students don’t realize that
people can live at home independently, even with some fairly severe
disabilities. One woman couldn’t
even stand up straight; she was bent over at an almost 90
degree angle and uses a cane to walk. She inspired the students, because she is still extremely independent and lives
at home safely.”
Given initial success, McColgan is hopeful that she will
be able to expand the Carelink program. She says that
word is already spreading in the South Boston community.
“Initially patients were a bit reluctant to take advantage of
Carelink, because they were worried I was trying to put
them into a nursing home. Once I talked a couple of them
into it, they’ve been telling their friends, and interest has
expanded.”
McColgan is interested in examining the data, to understand objectively how the Carelink program is making a
difference. She’s interested in understanding how many of
their clients have stayed healthy, how they are doing with
medication compliance, and if they are avoiding falls. As for
the students, she can already see the impact. “To see them
so hesitant at first, and then to see them at the end of their
placement, when they are able to do a home visit on their
own . . . it’s really amazing.”
spring/summer 2009 25
nursing service
For the past six years, Clinical Assistant Professor Donna Cullinan has
taken a week out of her busy life to travel to Léogâne, Haiti—a small city
18 miles outside of Port au Prince—as part of a medical mission team.
looking for answers
working to improve
care and create lasting
change in haiti
By Joshua J. Jensen
26 Boston College Nursing Voice
Cullinan and her close friend, Susan Daoust, had always
talked about doing some kind of international service work,
but for years were busy with their work and family lives.
That all changed six years ago when Daoust heard that her
church—Christ Church in Needham, Massachusetts—was
putting together a medical mission team to Haiti. “When
Susan asked me if I was interested, I realized that the timing was perfect. My kids were finally old enough that I was
comfortable leaving them.”
For Cullinan, Haiti is an ideal place for a medical mission, because of the extreme need. “I really wanted to go
on a medical mission, so I probably would have gone anywhere. But we are really needed in Haiti. It is the poorest of
the poor. They have so little, but we’re able to provide them
with some measure of comfort, and they are very appreciative of that.”
Emilie Hitron, a physician at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital,
organized the original mission from Christ Church, and
is the team leader. Each year, around 12 healthcare professionals, including Cullinan, travel to Haiti. Around eight
of the team members are previous participants. Both physicians on the team bring medical residents with them,
and Cullinan brings a Connell School graduate student or
recent alumna as well.
This year, Nora Sheehan ’08 joined the trip. “I jumped at
the chance when Donna offered me the opportunity to be a
part of the team,” recalls Sheehan, who participated in the
Connell School’s Global Health Initiative trip to Nicaragua
last year. “Traveling to Haiti was an amazing experience
and another exposure to the disparities that are generated
from limited access to healthcare.”
Over the years, Cullinan has formed a strong bond with
the other members of the team. “We have a wonderful
friendship, even though many of us don’t see each other
outside of planning meetings.” The team gets together
once each month for planning. After the trip, they come
together with their families to share pictures at a potluck
dinner.
Cullinan explains that the mission team is part of a loose
network of groups across the United States that travel to
Haiti. Their goal is to coordinate well enough to ensure
somewhat regular visits from medical professionals in each
visit. While independent of each other, the teams share
information through conferences and informal networking
and make use of mutual local connections in Haiti.
According to Cullinan, there is almost an entire local
industry set up for the purpose of supporting these mission
groups. Their team employs drivers and trucks for transportation, hires donkeys to carry their supplies, employs
local translators, and pays for their meals to be prepared as
well as for lodging at a guesthouse on the hospital grounds.
All of this helps support the local economy.
Building long-term relationships with the local support
people is part of the reward for Cullinan. “I got a really nice
email this week from one of my translators, Mario. I taught
him a lot when he was translating for me, because he was
very interested. He’s just been accepted to med school, and
wrote to thank me for helping to give him this opportunity.”
Cullinan’s group stays on the grounds of the local hospital in Léogâne, where there is a guesthouse frequented
by mission groups. They rise as early as 5:30 to learn about
Haitian history and culture or simply take in their surroundings with a historical walk, traveling as a group for
safety. This part of the day is an opportunity to satisfy their
curiosity about the culture in which they are immersed, but
also provides valuable cultural context for their work. “We
have to understand local values and beliefs to practice effective healthcare,” explains Cullinan. “If a parent believes
that their diabetic child has the devil in them, we need to
spring/summer 2009 27
know that so we can address it, in addition to ensuring the
child gets insulin or other appropriate treatment.”
By 7:00, the group is ready to go to work. They travel
from their base of operations in Léogâne to a remote village. Often they start the trip in trucks, then, depending
on their destination, they may hike the final distance with
their supplies carried by donkey. They set up their clinic
wherever they can: in homes, schools, and churches, on
mountainsides, even in chicken pens.
In most cases, local community health workers have
already spread the word about the clinics in advance. So
when Cullinan’s group arrives in a village at 7:30 or 8:00
in the morning, there may be hundreds of people already
lined up and waiting for medical care. The people wear
their finest clothes for the doctors and nurses, a sign of
their respect and appreciation. The nurses on the team triage the patients, and then Cullinan and the other providers
on the team see patients one at a time, about 1500 people
Left: This man was able to see clearly
for the first time in his life after receiving a pair of glasses. “We’ve questioned
whether bringing glasses is worth the
time and effort,” says Cullinan, “But one
person like this makes it worthwhile.
He couldn’t stop smiling.”
Right: Nora Sheehan ’08, who participated in the trip for the first time this year,
treats a baby in one of the clinics.
over the course of the
week. “We do all kinds of
care, from head to toe,”
Cullinan says. “We have
little privacy for pelvics
and personal exams, but
we make do. We see lots
of scabies, fungal infections, STDs, urinary tract
infections, hypertension,
diabetes, and a lot of
malnutrition. Sometimes
we’ll do incision and drainage of bad wounds. We’ve
seen terrible burns and we distribute dressing supplies,
and teach people how to keep their wounds clean.”
Scabies in particular is rampant among all ages,
including children. Cullinan notes, “We don’t want them
to put their dirty clothes back on after treatment, so now
we’re fundraising to buy underwear and little undershirts for all the kids, and we send them home in that.
They’re so proud of their new underwear.”
The team sets up a pharmacy as part of the clinic. They
provide vitamins for women who are pregnant and nursing. They also provide medicine to treat hypertension
for 3-6 months, write out prescriptions, and—through
a translator—try to stress the importance of the medication and the risk and consequences of a stroke. While
her patients do have access to local pharmacies, many
won’t have the financial means to purchase medications.
Cullinan sees both hope and frustration as the mission
team think longer-term. “We’re trying to work with
other mission teams to get continuity of care, but the
unrest in Haiti has made this challenging. In the past, a
team would visit each village approximately every three
months. Last year, we went to villages where they hadn’t
28 Boston College Nursing Voice
seen healthcare providers in well over a year.”
Even when they are able to provide appropriate medications, it’s a challenge to communicate instructions for
taking the medications. They use stickers depicting the sun
and moon to indicate what time of day medications should
be taken. Even with the deluge of work, they are careful to
take their time at the pharmacy, instructing the translator
to speak slowly and ensure their instructions are communicated effectively.
Cullinan also talks about the stigma facing people with
HIV/AIDS. Because their team does not have medication
to treat HIV/AIDS, they don’t test for the virus. Still, they
encounter individuals that they know are HIV positive.
“The village health workers have told us not to tell them
because of the stigma. We have done comfort care to the
extent possible.”
A recent addition to the team’s services is offering basic
eye exams and eyeglasses. In 2008, they brought a selection of eyeglasses in various strengths, matching them to
the needs of individuals as closely as possible. This year,
they are piloting a system of mailing eyeglasses to individuals for whom they couldn’t provide appropriate glasses on
the spot. While most of their patients don’t read, reading
spring/summer 2009 29
Top left: Cullinan with two children at a local orphanage, which the team
visits every year to bring supplies. “The kids look healthy, but there isn’t
enough food. There are days they don’t eat,” says Cullinan. Her group
continues to support the orphanage throughout the year.
Top right: Team members also buy new toys to bring to the children at the
orphanage. Cullinan taught this boy how to play Barrel of Monkeys, one of
her own childhood favorites.
research ideas have always been in the back of my mind.
I have received a lot of support from faculty members and
Bottom left: Nursing students at the school where Cullinan is helping to
from the dean to start exploring these possibilities, so now
develop a research class in partnership with the Connell School. Cullinan
I’m starting to do that.”
brings them BC folders containing anatomy charts in French, and BC
umbrellas, which they use as parasols for the intense sun.
There is no shortage of possibilities in Cullinan’s mind.
Bottom right: A family waits to be seen at one of the mobile clinics.
“I’ve been reading up on the Hearth Model, a positive deviance approach that identifies families that are flourishing
where others are failing. By studying these families and
glasses are useful for those who make a living doing sewunderstanding what behaviors are leading to this success,
ing and needlework and often make the difference between
we can understand how to work with other families to
being able to earn money and not.
improve outcomes.” Cullinan explains that the strength of
For Cullinan, the most difficult cases are the ones where
this model is its emphasis on effective uses of the resourcshe isn’t able to help. “These people come all this way, and
es already present in an impoverished community, rather
have such faith in us. It is hard for them to understand that
than reliance on external altruism.
there are things that even we can’t make better. We had one
Cullinan is also interested in studying ways to improve
lady—she wasn’t very old at all—whose sons brought her in continuity of care in the Haitian villages. Her team has dison a donkey. She had suffered a stroke months before and
tributed medical records as a pilot in one village. The local
her sons thought we would be able
people are already familiar with the
to fix her. They came miles and
records because children who parmiles, through the mountains.”
ticipate in a local nutrition program
The team works straight through
receive medical records until age
the day, often without a break for
five. Cullinan hopes to expand this
lunch. “I’ll eat peanut butter crackeffort, working with other mission
ers and drink bottled water to keep
teams and local organizations to promy energy up and stay hydrated,
mote use of the records. “People are
but I don’t have time for a real
proud of their records and hold on to
break.” At around 5:00, they stop
them,” Cullinan says. “In the future,
work and head back to Léogâne.
I’d like for everyone in Léogâne to
— Donna Cullinan
The team eats dinner together and
have one.”
works late into the night packaging medication for the next
Cullinan has also begun to build a relationship with the
day. “I’ve been collecting medicine bottles all year from
local nursing school in Léogâne, hoping in time to create a
the BC faculty. We used to put everything into baggies, but
partnership that she can leverage for help with her research
found out that its common for rats to get into the vitamins,
activities in Haiti. She visited the school during her recent
because of the sugar.”
trip, teaching an interactive class, and bringing some of the
At the end of the night, the team fits in a few hours of
students with her to the villages. “I told the student nurses
sleep before another long day. They know that the new day
that they are the hope of Haiti. I really believe that they can
will bring much of the same, although always with surprismake a lasting impact in their own country.”
es and new experiences.
Cullinan is building the relationship by reaching out to
To date, Cullinan’s focus has been to alleviate suffering
the Haitian nursing school’s dean via email. She is also
and improve health in the short term, on a micro level.
talking to the Haitian nurses about their research interShe cites lack of funding and resources, as well as political
ests and helping them to develop their research capacity.
unrest in Haiti, as the primary barriers to more sustainable, Cullinan believes that connecting these resources will bear
systemic improvement. Cullinan sees nursing research
fruit. By increasing knowledge about Haitian health issues
as a promising tool for change. “For most of my career,
through nursing research, she hopes to create lasting
I’ve focused on clinical practice,” Cullinan explains, “but
change in the villages near Léogâne.
We have to
understand local
values and beliefs
to practice effective
healthcare.
30 Boston College Nursing Voice
spring/summer 2009
31
student voice
donor profile
WORDS OF WISDOM
Debbie Hoffman ’79
FAMILY TREE
The new peer-led freshmen
seminar program
How one alum knew Boston
College was the place for her,
and why she gives back
BY KRISTEN PADULSKY ’08
BY KIRSTEN ERWIN
I
n the fall of 2008, freshmen in
the Connell School of Nursing had
Introduced to the seminar at orien-
nar also provides the peer leaders a
tation, students begin the academic
chance to reflect on their experiences
a new class on their schedules. The
year by discussing the transition from
as Boston College nursing students.
Nursing Professional Development
home to college, time management,
As one peer leader said, “I had been
Seminar was designed by the faculty
and how to keep up with classes in a
feeling overwhelmed with applying for
in response to feedback from students,
new environment. As they become
jobs, keeping up with school work, and
who wanted to feel more connected to
more comfortable with their surround-
worrying about what my life would be
nursing earlier in their program. The
ings and get to know one another, the
course aims to facilitate the transition
groups begin to focus on other issues.
from high school to college and introduce the profession of nursing through
D
ebbie Hoffman got her introduc-
her MBA in 1988 after five years of night
tion to the Connell School at an
classes.
early age.
“When I was in grammar school, my
Today, Hoffman is a nursing supervi-
Hoffman acknowledges the difficulty
of giving in such uncertain financial
times. “I’m right in the middle of send-
sor at Tufts Medical Center, where she
ing kids to college—I have one there and
cousin was a nursing student at BC.
has worked for her entire career. She
three to go—so for me to make an sig-
She brought me in for a day and I was
says she still feels a strong tie to Boston
nificant donation, it’s just not the right
like after I graduate. The experience
her patient in a skit for the School of
College and despite her busy schedule,
time. But with a planned gift, you’re giv-
of working with the freshmen helped
Nursing, a pediatric patient. I’ll never for-
seeks out opportunities to stay connect-
ing back, yet it’s in the future. I feel good
The peer advisors share their experi-
me realize how far I’ve come in just
get ‘going to college’ with her, and believe
ed. She was on the reunion committee
at least knowing that down the road, I’ve
ence with nursing clinical practice and
a few years. I had the same worries
it or not, this one day had a huge impact
for two years and is also involved with
thought about BC.”
peer-led seminars. Cathy Read,
the group discusses the many oppor-
and concerns as they did when I first
on me. I decided that’s where I wanted to
the Second Helping Gathering, an annu-
associate dean of the undergraduate
tunities available for nursing students.
came here, but now I’m the one able
go, and that’s where I ended up.”
al benefit for the Greater Boston Food
have found the right path early on and is
program, modeled the course after the
The seminar also addresses topics such
to answer their questions and reassure
highly successful first-year professional
as how to navigate course registra-
them.”
development seminar at the Lynch
tion, and demystifies the experience
School of Education.
of the housing lottery. Many students
networks that may be sustained
The seminars also initiate social
Such strength of conviction is typical
Hoffman considers herself lucky to
Bank. Recently, Hoffman served on the
quick to credit those who inspired her,
for Hoffman. The first member of her
steering committee for the Shaw Society,
from her cousin Linda Puzin ’71, who
immediate family to go to college, she
which recognizes alumni, parents, and
first brought Hoffman to campus and is
was told upon applying early decision
friends who’ve established a legacy gift—
now a nurse in Florida, to her professors
indicated that the course registration
throughout the students’ Boston
that due to the nursing program’s
a bequest or life income gift—to benefit
and classmates at the School of Nursing.
freshmen to the Boston College nurs-
seminar was the most helpful and
College careers and into their pro-
popularity, she would only be accepted
the University.
It is gratitude for the support and prepa-
ing community from their first day
beneficial of the program because they
fessional lives. By pairing first-year
early if she changed her major to some-
on campus. Seminar groups of six
saw such significant and immediate
students with older classmates who
thing else.
to 12 students are led by two to three
benefits. One student explained, “My
will soon be or are already in the
“I was very stubborn and said no,”
“If I could send a message to my class,
undergraduate and graduate students.
peer advisors offered to sit down with
workforce, the students can be better
Hoffman laughs. Her gamble paid off:
or anybody my age, I would say the nice
she says. “I went there at a time when,
These small groups provide first-year
me and help me register. This session
prepared for the experiences and chal-
she was accepted into the School of
thing about the Shaw Society is that you
compared to now, it was relatively inex-
students a safe place to share with oth-
helped me organize my schedule and
lenges that come with being a nursing
Nursing in the regular admissions cycle.
don’t have to pull your checkbook out
pensive, so I appreciate that today I have
ers, establish friendships with peers,
eliminate stress.”
student in a large university. In a few
She remembers the program as tough.
The program is designed to expose
“I’ve enjoyed my work as an ambassador of the Shaw Society,” says Hoffman.
ration she received at Boston College,
Hoffman says, that motivates her to give.
“I feel that BC has done a lot for me,”
today. Rather, it’s something that will
a great career and I owe it to BC. This is
short years, these same young students
“It was very stressful; everyone felt bad
happen down the road.” She and her
my chance to give back in any small way
advisors are truly what make this pro-
will be the leaders who impart their
for us. You’d spend the day at the hos-
husband Tom, a dedicated St. Lawrence
that I can.”
gram a success. Each advisor brings
wisdom to another generation of future
pital, be assigned a patient, and have to
alum, came to the decision of how to
feedback—this flexibility will ensure
a unique and beneficial insight to the
nurses. We look forward to the contin-
have everything—research, documenta-
support their respective alma maters
that freshmen are exposed to the most
discussion. As the leaders share their
ued success and development of this
tion, presentation—ready for the next
together: “We divvied up between the two
pertinent information as they strive to
personal experiences, the freshmen
program as it provides such a wonder-
day.” After graduation, Hoffman worked
schools. Our hockey teams have played
succeed in that critical first year of a
realize that they are not alone during
ful opportunity for freshmen nursing
for four years before returning to Boston
each other and all that, but I have to say
rigorous nursing program.
this transitional period. The semi-
students at Boston College.
College for graduate school. She earned
he’s very supportive of BC.”
and develop mentoring relationships
The dedicated and dynamic peer
with senior classmates. Topics will be
revised each year based on student
32 Boston College Nursing Voice
For more information about
planned giving at Boston
College, contact Susan Ramsey
at 617-552-3328, or visit bc.edu/
alumni/invest/giftplanning.html.
spring/summer 2009 33
alumnae/i voice
1950s
Associate Professor Emeritus Jean
O’Neil ’55, MS ’63, Associate Professor Rita Olivieri ’77, and Associate
Professor Nancy Fairchild presented
“Resolution of the Methodological Issues in a Nursing Intervention Study”
at the eighth annual interdisciplinary
research conference, Transforming
Healthcare through Research Education and Technology, this past November at Trinity College in Dublin,
Ireland.
Alma G. (Pallotta) Apicella ’58 writes,
“I had a ball at the reunion and loved
seeing everybody. I am awful sick of
the snow and hope most of you are in
warm weather!”
Elaine (Noiseux) Galeone ’58 is retired
from her work in the family photography business, where her husband and
two of her children still work full-time.
Two of her other children, both high
school teachers, work part-time for the
family business. Elaine notes, “we have
11 grandchildren so we always have
parties to attend.” She hopes to get
back in touch with her Boston College
classmates.
1960s
Leona (Rousseau) Dolloff ’60 retired
ten years ago after an enjoyable career
teaching in associate’s degree nursing programs. She is the mother of
five children, grandmother of 11, and
great-grandmother of two. She lives
with her husband, Peter, in Hudson,
New Hampshire, where Peter was
superintendent of schools for 32 years.
They now enjoy travel and participate
in Elderhostel programs.
34 Boston College Nursing Voice
Rita L. Ailinger ’61 is a professor at
Georgetown. In addition to research
courses, she also teaches a course on
vulnerable populations using social
justice principles. She takes nursing
students to Nicaragua each year to
work with the poor in a squatter settlement in Managua.
Jane (Murphy) Cunniffe ’61 is still
enjoying retirement and continues to
travel. She reports, “Although I had a
challenging summer concerned with
breast cancer, mammosite radiation
has given me a new lease on life.” She
hopes all of her classmates are doing
well.
Margaret (Shandor) Miles ’62 retired
as a professor of nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
several years ago but remains working
part-time on research grants, mentoring faculty, and writing. The Southern
Nursing Research Society has named
the Margaret Shandor Miles MCH student poster award in her name and the
Society of Pediatric Nurses is now biannually awarding the Margaret Shandor
Miles Distinguished Service Award.
She is thankful to Boston College for
helping her complete the bachelor’s
step in her career.
Joan (Mullahy) Riley ’62 received the
Clara Barton Service to Humanity
Educator Award from the Emmanuel
College Department of Nursing. She
has recently co-authored an article, “Essential Elements of an Optimal Clinical
Practice Environment,” in the Journal
of Nursing Administration.
Mary
Cavanaugh ’63
retired in 2007
after 45 years in
nursing and 38
years as a nurse
anesthetist. She
had a total hip replacement just over
a year ago, and danced at her daughter Erin’s wedding this past October.
Loving retirement, she has taken up
beading, making silver jewelry, and
learning how to use her new Viking
sewing machine. She also crochets.
Mary’s husband Joe retired in January
2008. Her son Sean is an emergency
room physician’s assistant, and her
daughter Erin works for Marsh, Inc.
and is finishing up her MBA. Mary and
Joe reside in Vienna, Virginia.
Bobbi Keane ’63 is retired from
nursing and spends most of her time
traveling, playing duplicate bridge, and
playing golf. She lives in Crystal River,
Florida. She invites classmates to contact her at bkeane2@tampabay.rr.com.
Diana M.L. Newman ’63 is a professor
of nursing at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
She enjoys professional writing and
her involvement in many professional
activities, as well as hobbies that include kayaking, knitting, quilting, and
going to New York City for the ballet,
opera, and theater. She notes, “I loved
gong to my 45th reunion in 2008 and
look forward to the 50th in 2013.”
Ann (Carty) Thrailkill ’64 is still working at the Palo Alto VA as a nurse
practitioner and as the women veterans’ program manager. She has been
presenting at different VA facilities
around the country on the health and
mental health issues facing returning
women veterans. She has recently had
two articles selected for publication,
in the Journal of Gynecology and in the
Journal of the American Academy of
Nurse Practitioners. She plans to return
to Boston College this summer for
reunion weekend.
Gail (Sylvester)
Cashman ’65 is
keeping quite
busy, having undertaken a master’s program in
bioethics. She
is also attending a week-long symposium this coming June at Mount Sinai
in New York City. She notes, “It will
be so interesting to note if and how
their clinical issues differ from ours in
Vermont.”
Barbara (Browne) Elliott ’65 still
lives in San Francisco, and continues
to teach at the City College of San
Francisco’s LVN program. Her three
daughters have careers in physical
therapy, acting, and environmental
education. She notes to her classmates,
“Let me know if you’re coming to San
Francisco. There’s room to stay!”
Catherine E. Graziano, MS ’65 spent
40 wonderful years as a faculty member at Salve Regina, including 20 as
chair of the nursing department. She
was elected to the Rhode Island State
Senate, and spent 10 years as a state
senator, where she made good use
of her nursing background in addressing healthcare issues. Following
retirement from Salve Regina in 1996
and from the senate in 2003, she has
volunteered for many senior organizations and healthcare facilities serving
hundreds of Rhode Island elders and
disabled individuals. The Rhode Island
State Nurses Association recognized
Catherine for her contribution to the
nursing profession with a lifetime
membership to that association. She
is the only individual who holds this
designation.
Eleanor Clifford ’66 reports that she
took a nontraditional path following graduation from Boston College.
“With my medical background, I was
fortunate to be hired as an underwriter
for the Paul Revere Life Insurance
Company, which later merged with
Provident and then UNUM. I had a
great career in various management
roles and was a VP in underwriting
prior to early retirement.”
Claudia (Collins) Daileader ’66 and
her husband Phil (A&S ’66) are living
on the eastern shore of Maryland, in
Sherwood. Claudia is working parttime as staff nurse on the surgical unit
of the local hospital, and Phil is retired
from his career in banking. Their three
children are married and they have
five grandchildren. Claudia notes, “I’ve
been doing my job as future-nurse
recruiter. For Christmas, one granddaughter got Cherry Ames books,
another a set of size 4T scrubs.”
Joan Garity ’66 is an associate professor of nursing at the University of
Massachusetts Boston. She teaches
ethics, legal, and health policy issues to
undergraduate, graduate, and RN-toBS online students. She has recently
co-authored a book, Evaluating Research
for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice. She
will also present a paper on fostering
nursing students’ use of ethical theory
and decision-making models at the
Oxford Round Table in March 2009.
Beatrice Costagliola ’67 works for
the Jesuit Refugee Service in a large
detention center in El Paso, Texas. She
writes, “My years as a missionary in
Peru, Nicaragua, and Mexico have been
invaluable experience for this position. We have detainees from all over
the world and each of them has his or
her personal story. It is a privilege to
accompany them during this time in
their lives, when they are separated
from their families.”
Sr. Maria
Joseph Nace
’68 sends word
of her recent
work as a poet
and artist. In
recent years,
she has had a number of solo exhibitions, and has shown her work at local
and regional galleries (see detail of her
painting above). She recently published
a book of her work, from which this
poem, titled “Compassion,” is taken:
Nurse, / are you beyond all life lines?
/ Beyond life / mechanized by tube,
pump / pill and shiny metal, / yours
/ is pulse beat that knows / heart. /
Nurse, / you with eye of compassion /
listen, respond, and / monitor / touch
/ sound / smell, / sensing that time
was when / time had time enough. /
And / that in waiting to die, know / we
are yet / Same.
spring/summer 2009 35
alumnae/i voice
1970s
Patricia (Mee)
Marvin ’70
reports, “I
am happy to
share with my
classmates and
the Boston College community that
I have been able to fulfill a life-long
dream. With the support and help of
dedicated and gifted volunteers, we
have created a small nonprofit charity called Bible-mates. Bible-mates are
beautifully handcrafted Bible character
finger puppets. The finger puppets
become the ‘storytellers’ of the greatest
stories ever told. The response has
been very rewarding. Our greatest
challenge, however, has been marketing. I sometimes think maybe I should
have audited a few classes in Fulton so
many years ago. Who would ever have
guessed?”
Gracinda (Sebastiao) Bigelow ’71 has
been a professor of nursing at a New
Hampshire community college since
1991, and has worked at Littleton
Regional Hospital in Littleton, New
Hampshire since 1977. She notes, “I
have so enjoyed the nursing educator
role all these years. It is so gratifying to
mentor our nursing students, assuring
our profession of a continued supply of
qualified professionals.” Gracinda has
three grandchildren.
Eileen (Dart) Bolesky ’71 retired from
her work as a school nurse last year to
sit for her first grandchild, Charlotte,
while her daughter Kristin (A&S 1998)
finished her master’s degree. Kristin
and her husband Scott recently had
another daughter, Katie, and bought
36 Boston College Nursing Voice
a lovely home in Southboro, Massachusetts. Eileen’s daughter Kara (A&S
2002) lives in Boston and works for
the Weather Channel in advertising.
Eileen’s husband Ed is working as a senior vice president at Phillips Lifeline
in Framingham and hopes to retire at
the end of 2009.
Ellen (Townsend) Freeman ’73, MS
’77 was recently appointed director
of nursing and allied health at Three
Rivers Community College in Norwich,
Connecticut, where she is also a professor of nursing. Ellen brings more
than 35 years of experience in clinical
practice and nursing education to her
new role. Previously, she has taught at
Boston College, the University of Missouri, the University of Illinois, and
William Rainey Harper College.
Marjorie (Johnson) Schaffer, MS ’73
has co-authored a book, Being Present:
A Nurse’s Guide to End-of-Life Communication, which will be published in
2009 by Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society. The book
includes stories of nurses from Norway
and the United States, and their experiences communicating about end-of-life
care. Many of the stories originated
with Marjorie’s research on ethical
problems encountered in end-of-life
decision-making. This research was
conducted in Norway, as part of a Fulbright for research and teaching.
Mary (Blaszko) Helming ’76 earned a
PhD in nursing science and spirituality
from Union Institute and University in
2007. She is pursuing scholarly work
by writing articles and book chapters,
giving podium presentations, and presenting posters. Her interests include
spirituality/religion and health, as
well as integrative medicine. She is an
associate professor and family nurse
practitioner track coordinator at Quinnipiac University. Her family includes
her husband, a 22-year-old son, an
“adopted” 15-year-old daughter from
Paraguay, and two dogs. Mary lives in
Cheshire, Connecticut.
Sarah Modrow,
MS ’76 retired
in 2006 from a
fulfilling career
teaching nursing in Canada.
Now, she and
her husband spend “the rainy half of
the year” in Scottsdale, Arizona, where
Sarah volunteers for the Scottsdale
Fire Department in a fall prevention
program for seniors. She spends the
other half of the year in Victoria, British Columbia, enjoying gardening
and fitness activities. She writes, “My
education at Boston College has really
been a life changer for me. I taught
nursing full-time for thirty years and I
never had a boring day at work!”
Elizabeth “Bett” Schaffhauser ’77
joined the U.S. Public Health Service
as a commissioned officer after graduation and was stationed in Kotzebue,
Alaska, a native village above the Arctic
Circle, for two years. She currently
lives in Fairbanks, Alaska with her
husband, Gerald Walker, with whom
she recently celebrated 25 years of marriage. Their twin sons are both sophomores at Montana State University in
Bozeman, Montana. Bett attained a law
degree from Northwestern School of
Law at Lewis and Clark College in 1985
and she currently works as the employ-
ment and educational opportunity
director for the Fairbanks North Star
Borough School District.
Maryrose Coughlin ’78 writes, “After a
long award-winning career in nursing
administration, I am enjoying being
a staff nurse in a community health
center in Springfield, Massachusetts.”
Maryrose is the first Baystate Medical
Center nurse to achieve certification in
ambulatory care nursing.
Ann Kennefick ’78, MS ’81 started a
private health coaching practice four
years ago. With a background in metabolics/hormones/diabetes, her focus is
helping individuals integrate lifestyle
changes, including diet, exercise, and
stress reduction. She helps individuals
with ADD/ADHD develop an understanding how foods impact attention/
mood and focus, helps midlife women
and men understand why previous
strategies in maintaining health no
longer work, and promotes cholesterol
reduction through lifestyle changes as
an alternative to medication.
Mary (McCarthy) Paschal ’78, MS ’81
works as the program coordinator for
the Joslin Clinic in Needham, Massachusetts.
Valerie D. Lewis-Mosley ’79 is in a
master’s degree program, studying
pastoral ministry with a concentration
in Christian spirituality, at the Immaculate Conception School of Theology
at Seton Hall University. She plans
to cultivate her expertise in Christian
bioethics, modeled on the teachings of
the Catholic Church, to serve in pastoral ministry to those who are suffering
with chronic and terminal illnesses.
Valerie is looking forward to returning
to Boston College in July 2009 for the
AHANA Reconnect reunion to celebrate the 30th anniversary of AHANA,
as well as her 30th class reunion.
Mary Jane
(Healey) Scott
’79 has worked
for the past
10 years in
school health,
at elementary,
high school, and college levels. She
currently works at the MGH Institute
of Health Professions as program
manager of their new accelerated BSN
program. She also works as a nursing boards specialist, having privately
tutored over 500 students for the
NCLEX-RN exam, with a 95% pass
rate.
1980s
Eileen Burke-Klein ’80 writes, “I have
fond memories of my years at BC and
recall the fantastic students I met and
worked so closely with. I currently live
in Southern California, and am married with three children. I went on and
obtained an MS in industrial hygiene/
occupational health. My work as an occupational health consultant was very
interesting and I plan on re-entering
the workforce as my last child will start
driving shortly.”
Roberta Frey, MS ’80 retired four
years ago from a position in a private
pediatric office. She and her husband
recently returned to Massachusetts,
and are looking forward to being able
to visit Boston College more often.
Their daughter Erin is a veterinarian in
Frederick, Maryland.
Lauren (McSweeney)
Labreche ’80
reports that Jennifer (Guiducci)
Anderson, MS
’01, Lisa Ruffy,
MS ’01, and herself all work in drug
safety and risk management at Biogen
Idec in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
She notes, “All three of us previously
worked in more traditional nursing
roles but found our way into this exciting and challenging field that not many
nurses know about.” Lauren learned
about the opportunities available in the
pharmaceutical industry while earning
the Clinical Research Certificate offered by the Connell School’s Continuing Education Program.
Sandra (Price) Shapiro ’80 is an
adjunct nursing professor at Middlesex Community College. She recently
published an article, “Addressing
Self-Injury in the School Setting,” in
the Journal of School Nursing. Based on
the current research, this article offers
a plan for prevention, early detection,
referral, and early access to care for
those adolescents who self-injure in
the school setting.
Christine Carlock ’81 recently published “Ethics and the Double Bind of
Palliative Sedation” in Nursing Spectrum. Carlock writes, “The article discusses the rule of double effect, which
has its origin in Catholic theological
teaching.”
Regina (Miller) Prindle ’82 earned a
PhD in education from the University
of Idaho, and is currently working
as an assistant professor of nursing
spring/summer 2009 37
alumnae/i voice
at Gonzaga University in Spokane,
Washington. She teaches in both the
bachelor’s and master’s programs.
Karen K. Giuliano ’84, PhD ’05 has
been putting her research skills to
good use as a principal scientist
at Philips Healthcare in Andover,
Massachusetts. In her role, Karen is
responsible for directing the clinical
outcomes research program in physiologic patient monitoring. In addition to directing the clinical research
program, Karen’s nursing experience
is a valuable asset in product development, and she is an active member of
the R&D team. She notes, “Ten years
ago I could never have imagined leaving the bedside. However, from the
time I entered critical care I have had
a keen interest in the responsible use
of critical care technology. Being able
to impact the development of that tech-
nology by working at Philips has been
a very rewarding experience for me.”
Cynthia C.
(Schipani) Adams, MS ’85 recently earned a
doctoral degree
in educational
leadership
at the University of Hartford. Cindy
earned the Regents’ Honor Award for
Graduate Studies for her doctoral research. She has presented her dissertation, “Dying with Dignity in America:
The Transformational Leadership of
Florence Wald” at many regional conferences, and recently had an article
accepted for publication in the Journal
of Professional Nursing. Cindy was also
chosen by Connecticut Governor Jodi
Rell as the 2008 Connecticut Nurse of
the Year for her contribution to educat-
ing nurses from diverse backgrounds.
Cindy and her husband John live in
Granby, Connecticut with their children Ben and Hanna.
Mark Huether
’85 is the chief
nurse anesthetist at Beth Israel Deaconess
Medical Center.
He writes, “I
am attaching a photo of myself with
Kristin Cina, a Connell School senior,
spending the day in the operating
room with me. As part of Kristin’s clinical rotation in our PACU, she spent a
full day in the operating room observing my advanced clinical practice as a
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
(CRNA). In addition, Kristen had the
opportunity to provide actual patient
care by learning and administering
news: alumnae/i, faculty member inducted as aan fellows
Six out of the 92 American Academy of Nursing (AAN) fellows inducted in 2008 were Connell School alumnae/i, including one faculty member. Fellows are selected by their peers for outstanding contributions and achievements in nursing.
The AAN has approximately 1500 fellows, leaders in nursing education, management, practice, and research. AAN fellows
pledge to work toward a better healthcare system by enhancing quality of care, reducing health inequalities, promoting
healthy behaviors, and integrating mental and physical care.
Rosanna F. DeMarco, MS ’76 is an
associate professor at the Connell
School. Committed to examining
marginalization and health behaviors
through partnerships with women living with HIV/AIDS, she is the co-producer of an HIV prevention education
film entitled Women’s Voices Women’s
Lives. The film is used by AIDS service organizations across the country
and has been translated into Spanish
and Vietnamese. The Massachusetts
Association of Registered Nurses
honored DeMarco with its Research
38 Boston College Nursing Voice
Award and Boston College bestowed
its University Alumni Award of
Excellence in Health Care to her in
2007.
Deborah A. Chyun ’78 is director of
the Florence S. Downs PhD Program
in Nursing Research and Theory
Development, as well as associate
co-director of the Hartford Institute
for Geriatric Nursing at the College
of Nursing, at New York University.
Chyun’s research is focused on cardiac-related outcomes, psychosocial and
behavioral factors, and quality of life
in older adults with type 2 diabetes
mellitus. Her findings have made a
significant contribution to knowledge
of cardiac autonomic neuropathy and
asymptomatic heart disease, and have
been incorporated into the American
Diabetes Association’s clinical practice
recommendations.
Elizabeth A. Henneman ’79 is an
associate professor at the University
of Massachusetts Amherst School of
Nursing and a practicing critical care
airway management to several perioperative patients. It is very gratifying
for me to be able to share my experience and passion for nurse anesthesia
with students.”
Donna (Malone) Pleus ’85 recently
obtained an MSN from Monmouth
University, and has been working as
a school nurse for the past five years.
She lives in New Jersey with her husband Michael (A&S ’85) and their three
children: Jennifer, a junior at Boston
College; Michael Ryan, a high school
senior; and Matthew, a 7th grade
student.
Ann (Fallon) Hession ’86 is a pediatric
nurse practitioner, working at the Norwood, Mass. office of Dedham Medical
Associates. She lives with her husband
and two children in Canton, Mass.
nurse. Her work is dedicated to identifying and implementing the transformative changes needed to improve patient
and family outcomes. Henneman’s work
has consistently recognized the need for
an interdisciplinary approach to solving
complex healthcare problems, and she
is currently collaborating on projects
that include nurses, physicians, computer scientists, engineers, pharmacists,
and business operations managers.
Eileen M. Stuart-Shor, MS ’74, PostMS ’92 is an assistant professor in the
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
at the University of Massachusetts
Boston, and a nurse practitioner and
cardiology research fellow at Beth Israel
Deaconess Medical Center. Stuart-Shor’s
clinical work focuses on health disparities and improving cardiovascular out-
Wendy (Salmonson) Starkel ’86 writes,
“After 22 years as a critical care nurse I
have just ‘retired.’ My degree from BC
has sparked countless conversations
and earned me intellectual respect
from many of my peers. Its reputation
as an academic front-runner for nursing is well known. I’ve spent the last
18 years moving around with my army
officer husband and working critical
care across the country. I’ve worked in
every type of critical care unit that’s out
there. It’s been an awesome ride and
my BC degree has never let me down.
My framed diploma proudly hangs
next to my husband’s Bronze Star in
our office. My son likes to point out
how cool his parents are: ‘My dad has
a Bronze Star and my mom went to
school with Doug Flutie.’ He’s just 10;
we’ll forgive his misdirected point!”
comes for underserved populations. Her
work establishing a nurse-led model
for homeless individuals was recognized with a Schweitzer Fellowship and
Humanitarian Award from the City of
Boston.
Joseph O. Schmelz, PhD ’96 is best
known for his leadership in the protection of research participants as
Institutional Review Board director at
UT Health Science Center in Austin,
Texas. Having served in the United
States Air Force Nurse Corps for more
than 20 years, Schmelz worked with
Elizabeth Bridges to develop a program
of research focused on the unique environment of military cargo aircraft reconfigured to transport critically wounded
soldiers, in which even ordinary nursing
care becomes extraordinarily difficult.
1990s
Rosemarie D. Carvelli, MS ’90 works
in private practice doing individual
therapy and psychopharmacology in
Hingham, Massachusetts.
Barbara E. Wolfe, PhD ’95 was recently
appointed associate dean for research
at Boston College’s William F. Connell
School of Nursing.
Kathryn M. Beasley, MS ’96 writes,
“I am retiring from the United States
Navy in August 2009 after a 30-year
career in the military. I will be retiring
in a ceremony at the National Naval
Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
I’m not sure what I’m going to do next,
but I do plan to stay in the Washington, DC area.”
Their “Care in the Air” research has
significantly changed nursing practice
and improved outcomes of transported
patients.
Dianne M. Danis, MS ’81 is the director
for nursing practice innovation at the
University of Wisconsin Hospital and
Clinic in Madison. She has made many
contributions to emergency, flight,
and trauma nursing, and has served
in many roles including clinical nurse,
trauma program manager, emergency
nursing clinical nurse specialist, manager for adult and pediatric emergency
departments and on the staff of a state
emergency medical services agency.
Danis has a long association with the
Emergency Nurses Association, and was
awarded its most prestigious commendation, the Judith C. Kelleher Award.
spring/summer 2009 39
alumnae/i voice
Katie Mancina
Collum ’97 and
her husband,
Brian, had
their first son,
Charlie, this
past July. She
works in Kansas City, Missouri for
Children’s Mercy Hospital as a nursing program coordinator and health
coach for weight management with the
PHIT Kids Program. Katie writes, “I’m
loving every minute of motherhood!
I’m keeping busy traveling, bicycling,
walking, cooking, and spending time
with family and friends.”
Darlene (Sliva) Bingham ’98 is a
certified registered nurse anesthetist
(CRNA) at Northwestern Memorial
Hospital in Chicago, Ill. Darlene is
married to Jeff Bingham, and has an
eight-month-old daughter, Piper.
Beth-Ann Norton, MS ’99 is
a nurse practitioner at the
Massachusetts
General Hospital Crohn’s and
Colitis Center. Prior to this, she worked
at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in
the Division of Colorectal Surgery. She
recently co-authored a poster presented
at the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America’s (CCFA) Advances in
Inflammatory Bowel Disease entitled,
“Communicating Information to
Crohn’s Disease Patients for Treatment
Decision Making.” Beth-Ann’s daughter, Meredith, is a sophomore at Boston
College, majoring in psychology and
English. On a sad note, Beth-Ann
reports that her husband of 22 years
40 Boston College Nursing Voice
passed away in November, 2005.
2000s
Talin Barsoumian ’00 is a clinical
practice leader at Lawrence Memorial
Hospital, where she manages a 34-bed
telemetry unit. She writes, “I have
been there since earning an MS in
nursing administration in 2005, and
have enjoyed the challenges that come
with a leadership position.” Talin married her husband Leon in May 2006,
and lives in Arlington, Massachusetts.
Jennifer Maloney ’00 is a student at
NYU, earning an MSN in adult acute
care advanced practice nursing. She
currently works in New York City as a
critical care RN.
Jennifer (DeNino) Kolenda ’01 writes,
“I continue to live in Atlanta and work
as an acute care nurse practitioner in
neurocritical care at Emory Healthcare.”
Deborah
D’Avolio, PhD
’03 is a geriatric
specialist at
Massachusetts
General Hospital, creating
an innovative program designed to
advance the care of older adults. The
initiative is part of an 18-month geriatric nursing leadership academy offered
by the International Honor Society of
Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau.
Cynthia Moreira ’03 completed a dualdegree program in 2008, receiving an
MSN from Simmons College and an
MS in public health from the Harvard
School of Public Health. She is now
working at Northwestern Memorial
Hospital in Chicago as a nurse practitioner in the area of breast cancer.
Britt (Frisk) Pados ’03 had an abstract
published in Cardiology in the Young entitled, “Feeding Methods and Growth
Trajectories in Infants Following Norwood and Norwood-Sano Procedures.”
She also had an article published in the
Journal of Pediatric Healthcare entitled,
“The Blue Baby Blues: A Rare Case
of Cyanosis in the Newborn.” She is
working on a research project, “Heart
Rate Variability as a Measure of Physiologic Work of Feeding in the Preterm
Infant,” and presented findings at the
Southern Nursing Research Society
Conference this past February.
Shaama (Saber) Chahoud ’04 earned
a master’s in nursing and health care
administration from the University
of Pennsylvania in December 2008.
She continues to work at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in the
emergency department/trauma center,
while also teaching pediatric clinical
nursing for the University of Pennsylvania.
Karen Daley, MS ’04 received the 2008
International Sharps Injury Prevention
Award. Karen is currently conducting her dissertation research, which
looks at the meanings associated with
the experience of sharps injuries. She
encourages nurses who have sustained
a sharps injury in the past 24 months
to contact her at daleykg@bc.edu for
information about participating in her
study.
Marion (Christensen) Godin
’04 is studying
in the family
nurse practitioner program
at Florida Atlantic University, focusing on primary
care of the family and dermatology.
She and her husband Vincent live in
Delray Beach, Florida.
Ellen Zientara, MS ’04 is the owner of
Sunflower Farm, a small communitysupported farm in Wellesley, Massachusetts. She writes, “My goal is to
bring the farm stand and locally grown
food back to my community. This has
led me to become more involved in my
local community. I am also currently
serving as president of the Wellesley
Housing Authority community garden. The garden was started in June
2008 by myself and a group of likeminded residents who saw a need to
support themselves and help families
who use the food pantry by providing
them access to fresh locally grown
organic food. The goal of the garden is
to reduce food costs and reduce health
disparities through a sustainable model. I also work as a school nurse, which
keeps me on a nine-month schedule so
I am able to farm.”
Sarah Joy Carlson ’05 writes, “I was
accepted to Johns Hopkins for a dual
master’s in nursing and public health,
but deferred my graduate studies for
one year to volunteer in Liberia with a
faith-based NGO. Liberia is five years
post war and healthcare is minimal.
There is no electricity, no water or
sewage system, and no electric stoves.
Hand pumps are now being dug to
prevent the many waterborne sicknesses that are killing so many. I have
been able to deliver babies, treat severe
hot water and hot oil burns, assess
patients, give daily health talks and
daily devotions in the clinics, teach
workshops for the clinic staff, organize
the first-ever county health fair, organize clinic renovations, and help write
clinical protocols and guidelines. I am
excited to start graduate school in July
of this year and excited to see the way
God continues to grow my heart.”
Rory E. Bartok, MS ’06 recently took a
new position as a nurse practitioner in
a Chronic Pain Management Specialty
Clinic at Butler Memorial Hospital in
Butler, Pennsylvania. She notes, “This
is a very challenging job but a great
opportunity to expand my practice and
enhance my skill set!” Rory is a member of the American Pain Management
Nursing Society.
Megan Godio ’07 works at Brigham
and Women’s Hospital on the neurology and neurosurgery unit.
Nguyet Nguyen ’07 is an officer and
ensign nurse in the Navy Nurse Corps,
stationed in Maryland and working on
a telemetry unit at the National Naval
Medical Center. She notes, “It is very
rewarding to be able to serve my country and to take care of soldiers who are
fighting for our safety. The Navy also
has many humanitarian services and
deployment opportunities that I can
participate in. It is an exciting career
with many different opportunities
for me to develop professionally and
personally.”
Laura Reed, MS ’07 is a nurse
practitioner in kidney and pancreas
transplants at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, Virginia. She notes, “Although
I’m not currently working specifically
in geriatrics, I continue to enjoy the
older adult population and look forward to future endeavors dedicated to
geriatrics.”
Karen Schulte,
MS ’07,
pictured here
with Caitlin
O’Callaghan
Gannan, MS
’07 and Janine
Zuromski, MS ’07 at Caitlin’s wedding, writes, “I have been promoted
to director of clinical trials nursing
operations at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Recently, I started working at
the Clinical Research Center at MGH
on White 13 as a per diem nurse practitioner where I am able to utilize my
research background in a clinical setting as an advanced practice nurse.”
Nadine Linendoll, MS/PhD
’08 reports,
“My husband
Dan and I gave
birth to a baby
girl on December 27, 2008. Her name is Ruby May
Quintiliani.”
Alumnae/i news is compiled
from alumnae/i submissions
as well as from a variety of outside media sources. To include
your news and photos in the
next issue, email us at: nursing.
alums@bc.edu
spring/summer 2009 41
dialogue
Danny Willis | Jennifer Allen
endnote
Nursing as a service profession
The insights that I offer
I knew that I wanted to be a
stem from the philo-
nurse by the time I was five
sophical perspective that
years old. Maybe it was the
nursing exists to serve
nursing cap and pin given
the needs of persons
to me by my Aunt Peg or
for humane interac-
seeing the many ways that
tions: in health and
she was able to help oth-
illness, choice, quality
ers. During my childhood
of life, and healing in
and young adult years, I
living and dying. Service
never questioned my deci-
begins with the possibil-
sion to become a nurse. I
ity of altruism and the
believed then, as I do now,
understanding that we all have life experiences in which we
that dedicating one’s life to serving people experiencing illness
need the help of others. Service uses knowledge about the
was among the most noble things that a person could do. I
human condition and awareness, arising out of one’s own
vividly recall the first time I was present for the birth of a child
experiences, of what “being well” and “experiencing suffer-
born to a single mother, and the first time I held the hand of a
ing” might mean for individuals, families, communities, and
patient who was dying alone. These experiences left me with an
societies. That is, according to Donaldson, “the knowledge of
indelible feeling about the sacred connection that can be forged
the discipline must ultimately support service to clients and
between human beings. People who are complete strangers can
the health of society.”
transcend the illusion of independence, and experience a deep
Historically, nurses met the health needs of humans wherever they were—in their homes, in war zones, hospitals,
sense of interconnectedness in these moments.
Over time, my practice has shifted from a focus on individu-
nursing homes, schools, mental health residential settings,
als to a focus on communities and populations. This shift has
etc.—and exercised their special interest in vulnerable popu-
been prompted by my appreciation of the ways that social, eco-
lations, or those most in need. Service involves observing
nomic, and environmental forces shape health. It has become
and listening to human experiences of transition, challenge,
increasingly clear to me that some groups—by nature of their
suffering, and healing, so that we know how to proceed most
socio-economic status, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or
effectively. Service involves recognizing both the person and
other characteristics—are systematically denied the resources
environmental factors that influence prospects for health
necessary to maintain their health.
and healing and transformation and change even when there
Health disparities are undeniably an issue of social justice
are bodily disruptions in biological function, psychosocial
and human rights. I have struggled with the notion that, as a
functional status, quality of life, and perceived health. Nurses,
highly educated middle-class white woman, I have benefited
with their acute observation skills, knowledge of human care,
from the social systems and hierarchies of power from which
and consequent conception of professional responsibility,
these disparities arise. My deepening appreciation for this
are the perfect collaborators. They are able to bring together
aspect of interconnectedness has altered my sense of what it
synoptically a view of the whole that is crucial in the contem-
means to be a member of a service profession. In my work with
porary world given the environmental, economic, and social
communities, I do not see myself as the “provider of service,”
conditions of our time.
but rather a partner in pursuit of a shared agenda: health equity. There is a well-known adage: “If you want peace, work for
justice.” Work in pursuit of justice is a service, and a benefit,
to us all.
Danny G. Willis, DNSc, MSN, RN is an assistant
professor at the Connell School.
42 Boston College Nursing Voice
Jennifer Dacey Allen, DSc, MPH is an assistant professor
at the Connell School.
malnutrition bracelet
This bracelet is a simple tool used in Haiti to measure malnutrition.
Nurses and community health workers measure the length of the child’s
upper arm with the string, then wrap the band around the upper arm. The
color bars show whether the child’s arm is too thin, indicating malnutrition.
william f. connell
school of nursing
140 commonwealth avenue
chestnut hill, ma 02467
non profit org.
u.s. postage paid
boston, ma
permit # 55294