Media Contact: Robin Wood, Punctuate Communications, LLC on behalf of ANA-NY 518-449-3454 ANA-NY Salutes 1 st Cohort of Future Nurse Leaders Award recognizes nursing students for outstanding leadership Albany, NY, July 14, 2014 The American Nurses Association - New York (ANA-NY) is proud to introduce the first recipients of its Future Nurse Leader Awards. Designed to honor nursing students entering the profession and encourage them, as registered nurses, to continue developing leadership skills, the awards recognize 22 students graduating from nursing schools around the state. The first cohort of ANA-NY Future Nurse Leaders is: Bethany Allison, Nyack College Beqir Brija, Concordia College New York Cassandra L. Burke, Mohawk Valley Community College Marcella Carr, Finger Lakes Health College of Nursing Mohammad Abraham Chaudry, Nassau Community College Jeffrey H. Fahmer, Wegmans School of Nursing, St. John Fisher College Megan Green, Mount Saint Mary College Subiena Jamnaprasad, York College / City University of New York Jonathan M. Le Suer, Department of Nursing, Le Moyne College Sandra Leinweber, D'Youville College Vianney Mena, New York City College of Technology Debbie Nischo-Foley, The Belanger School of Nursing Darren Panicali, Hunter Bellevue School of Nursing Chava Pollak, Pace University, Lienhard School of Nursing Alyssa C. Relos, New York University College of Nursing Emily Schumacher, Binghamton University, Decker School of Nursing Jennifer Talevski, Farmingdale State College
Alicia Teel, Finger Lakes Community College Leah L. Tyler, Roberts Wesleyan College Lynne Werbeck, Keuka College Amanda Wing, The College at Brockport Jessica Zoltowski, Elmira College These nurses exemplify the dedication to improving their own expertise, caring for their patients and giving back to the nursing profession that is a critical component of professional leadership, said Elizabeth "Betty" Mahoney, EdD, RN, President of ANA-NY. We are pleased to have them join us as colleagues and look forward to following their progress and working with them, when possible, as they continue their leadership in their careers and in the world. The ANA-NY Future Nurse Leaders were nominated by their schools of nursing as outstanding students, who embody the ethics and values of nursing, and: Demonstrate leadership: o prepare, motivate and impact other students as leaders o participate in community activities and giving back to others o mentor fellow students o promote activity in nursing organizations, such as the National Student Nurses Association Make a significant contribution to the overall excellence of their school Set a healthy example and promote a healthy lifestyle Demonstrate a clear sense of the direction for their future nursing careers Each Future Nurse Leader receives a certificate of recognition, a copy of The American Nurse, and a year s complimentary membership in the American Nurses Association and ANA-NY. ### ANA-New York is the professional association for registered nurses in the state. Launched in December 2012, ANA-New York is dedicated to promoting excellence in nursing practice, seeks to improve the quality of health care services, and promotes professional and leadership development of registered nurses. Learn more at http://ana-newyork.org
Future Nurse Leaders 2014 Bethany Allison and Karen Ballard, Executive Director ANA- NY Bethany Allison graduated this spring from Nyack College in Nyack, NY. Ms. Allison s nomination for the Future Nurse Leader award notes her leadership in the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA), her induction as a member of the Nyack College School of Nursing Honor Society and that she received the college s Student Service Award. Ms. Allison plans a career as an emergency department registered nurse. Beqir Brija will graduate this December from Concordia College in Bronxville, NY. Mr. Brija s nomination for the Future Nurse Leader award notes his dedication to nursing, his second career, which he came to from the field of photography and videography. Inspired by the Institute of Medicine's Report on the Future of Nursing, Mr. Brija volunteers his time with the New York State Action Coalition as the Director of Tactical Support and Operations. He plans to pursue a career as a Nurse Anesthetist. Cassandra L. Burke graduated this spring from Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica. Ms. Burke s nomination for the Future Nurse Leader award notes her volunteer efforts for community events including the American Heart Association blood drive, American Heart Association Heart Run and Walk and the Breast Cancer Walk; as well her dedication to mentoring her fellow nursing students. Ms. Burke plans to continue her education in a baccalaureate nursing programs and pursue a career as an ICU nurse. 1
Marcella Carr graduated this spring from Finger Lakes Health College of Nursing in Geneva, NY. As an LPN who decided to continue her education and become an RN, Ms. Carr s nomination for the Future Nurse Leader award notes her dedication to her patients and her academic success. She is co-chair of the Genesee Baptist Church s Health Ministry and has volunteered her time for several community health events, including blood pressure clinics and blood drives in partnership with the American Red Cross. Ms. Carr has published several articles, is the third vice president on the national board of professional nurse organization Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., and local president of Beta Chi Beta, citywide Student Nurse Chapter. Among other awards, she was presented at graduation with the college s Heart of Nursing Award. She is also a single mom of a 9-year-old. Ms. Carr plans to continue her nursing education by seeking a bachelor s degree. Mohammad Abraham Chaudry graduated this spring from Nassau Community College in Garden City, NY. Mr. Chaudry s nomination for the Future Nurse Leader award notes his dedication to peer mentoring, including as president of the college s Nursing Club. He was a nursing student delegate for the college at the National Student Nurses Association's annual conference. Mr. Chaudry plans to continue his nursing education by seeking a bachelor s degree. 2
Jeffrey H. Fahmer graduated this spring from Wegmans School of Nursing, St John Fisher College in Rochester, NY. Mr. Fahmer s nomination for the Future Nurse Leader award notes his dedication to peer mentoring and academic success. A member of the Wegmans School of Nursing Student Nurses Association, Mr. Fahmer has been a Student Ambassador since 2010, and during the 2011-2012 academic year served as the director of Student Recruitment Initiatives. As a Fast Track student, he completed graduate coursework in the senior year of his program and has made the Dean's List every semester since fall 2011. He works in the Neurosurgery, Neuroscience and Hospice Care department at a local hospital and served on the college s First Generation Application Committee for the past two years. Megan Green graduated this spring from Mount Saint Mary College (MSMC) in Newburgh, NY. Ms. Green s nomination for the Future Nurse Leader award notes her commitment to the values shared by registered nurses. Her nomination reads, in part: She has consistently demonstrated excellent patient care, critical thinking skills, teamwork, and leadership. Ms. Green is vice president of the MSMC Nursing Student Union and a peer tutor. She has been consistently placed on the Dean's List and, in December 2013, she was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International. Last summer, Ms. Green completed an internship program at the Mayo Clinic. She will begin her professional career working in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). 3
Subiena Jamnaprasad graduated this spring from York College / City University of New York in Jamaica, NY. Ms. Jamnaprasad s nomination for the Future Nurse Leader award notes her confidence and dedication to academic success. Her nomination reads, in part: She excelled in her academics both in the classroom and clinical settings and easily linked theory to practice. Subiena s passion for learning was matched by her passion to help and serve others. Ms. Jamnaprasad received the York College Nursing Leadership award in December 2013 and was elected by her classmates to be the Pinning Ceremony student keynote speaker. Her professional goals include becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) and perhaps earning an MBA. Jonathan M. Le Suer graduated this spring from the Department of Nursing at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY. Mr. Le Suer s nomination for the Future Nurse Leader award notes that he is graduating from the Dual Degree Partnership in Nursing (DDPN) program, a model of nursing education in which students earn both an associate s degree and bachelor s degree in nursing in four years of full-time study. His nomination reads, in part: Jonathan has been selected for this award because of his laudable character traits, strong academic standing, unwavering passion for the profession of nursing, solid ethical values, and well-developed leadership skills. Recently, Jonathan was named Student of the Week out of 2,500 undergraduates on the Le Moyne campus. In addition to his academic work, for the last year, Jonathan has been employed part-time as a Registered Nurse on a cardiac and medical/surgical unit at a Syracuse-area hospital. He has been accepted into the graduate program at Le Moyne and plans to pursue a master's degree in Nursing Administration. 4
Sandra Leinweber graduated this spring from D'Youville College in Buffalo. Mrs. Leinweber s nomination for the Future Nurse Leader award notes her commitment to increasing her knowledge and skills. After practicing as a nurse for more than 15 years, Mrs. Leinweber returned to complete her bachelor s degree in nursing with the goal of becoming a Nurse Practitioner. She has been accepted to Stony Brook University in the Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. Her nomination reads, in part: Sandra consistently delivered high quality assignments in the online RN-BSN program. She demonstrated critical thinking abilities during discussions with peers in the online classroom and during her clinical rotation. Sandra is supportive and helpful to her classmates in the online classroom and readily shares her mental health nursing expertise. Vianney Mena graduated from New York City College of Technology. Ms. Mena is currently employed as an oncology nurse and plans to continue her nursing education to become a nurse practitioner. Debbie Nischo-Foley graduated this spring from The Belanger School of Nursing in Schenectady, NY. Mrs. Nischo-Foley s nomination for the Future Nurse Leader award notes her dedication to peer mentoring. Her nomination reads, in part: Debbie will make an outstanding nurse leader in the future because she has demonstrated significant leadership abilities in the classroom, in the clinical setting and in her role as Student Government Secretary. Debbie exemplifies the principles and standards of the nursing profession by conducting herself and her interactions with integrity, compassion and respect. Additionally, Mrs. Nischo-Foley was inducted into the Alpha Delta Nu - Alpha Rho Chapter of the National Honor Society and chosen by her classmates as class graduation speaker. 5
Darren Panicali graduated this spring from the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing in Manhattan. Mr. Panicali's nomination for the Future Nurse Leader award notes his dedication to academic success. He attended Hunter College on a full scholarship and was an honors student in the Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College, CUNY, as well as a nursing major. He served as president of the Hunter-Bellevue chapter of the National Student Nurses Association, and he coordinated monthly community service opportunities as community health director of the Nursing Students Association of New York State. Additionally, he received Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing s Excellence in School Leadership Award at graduation, and in 2012 he was a Macaulay Honors College Lisa Goldberg/Revson Scholar in recognition of his academic excellence, public service and community involvement. Chava Pollak graduated this spring from Pace University s Lienhard School of Nursing. Ms. Pollak s nomination notes her dedication as a peer mentor. It reads, in part: Chava excelled in her initial nursing courses, both didactic and clinical courses. Chava, however, distinguished herself from her peers, in that she immediately reached out to her classmates who needed assistance. Chava organized study groups and provided peer tutoring on an informal basis. Her expertise was recognized by the faculty and she was officially selected to be a peer tutor. Chava has continuously been a strong, committed student who positively challenges her faculty with thoughtful questions and insights. Ms. Pollak also participated in the Undergraduate Student Faculty Research Program and was selected to present work at the National Gerontological Nurses Association Annual Convention. Her classmates chose her as class speaker for the school s recognition ceremony. She plans to continue her studies in the Lienhard School of Nursing s Family Nurse Practitioner Program. 6
Alyssa C. Relos graduated this spring from New York University College of Nursing (NYUCN) in New York City. Ms. Relos s nomination for the Future Nurse Leader award notes her leadership roles with the Undergraduate Nursing Student Association at the college, culminating with her service as president of the organization. Ms. Relos has also served as the secretary and vice president of the Asian-Pacific Islander Nursing Student Organization at NYUCN and has served as a peer advisor. She is a member of the National Student Nurses Association and has served as the Junior Cultural Chair of the International Filipino Association. Ms. Relos made the Dean s List six of the eight semesters she was at NYUCN. She is a member of the Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International and is a President s Service Award Winner (2014). She volunteered for New York Cares Day and participated in home restoration in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Ms. Relos last year served as an extern on the Affective Disorders Inpatient Unit at New York- Presbyterian-Westchester Division in Westchester, NY. Emily Schumacher graduated this spring from Binghamton University s Decker School of Nursing. Her nomination praised her ability to think on her feet while assisting others. Ms. Schumacher served as president of the Nursing Student Association at Binghamton University, leading students in a variety of community service and fund-raising activities. Her nomination reads, in part: We are proud to honor this committed and passionate student for her achievements in the classroom, the clinical setting, and in the surrounding community. 7
Jennifer Talevski graduated this spring from Farmingdale State College in Farmingdale, NY. Ms. Talevski s nomination for the Future Nurse Leader award notes her achievements as a student leader, serving as president of Farmingdale State College's Student Nurses Association. She is also a member of the New York State Nurses Association, the National Student Nurses Association and Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society. Her nomination reads, in part: Jennifer is dedicated to improving the quality of life in her community as well as promoting the nursing profession among peers and colleagues. She is a tireless advocate for families in need, and to that end, she has participated in the Dominic A. Murray Youth Heart Screening program to identify adolescents at risk for sudden cardiac death. Community health promotion is a major focus of Jennifer s vision for nursing care. Ms. Talevski plans to continue her education at the master's level. Alicia Teel graduated this spring from Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua. Ms. Teel s nomination for the Future Nurse Leader award notes her love for nursing and her natural ability to help others. Alicia has been the go-to person for so many people: her classmates, the freshman class, the Nursing Club advisors. She has been an outstanding mentor to the freshmen nursing class, offering them support and encouragement throughout their first year. She was always willing to stop what she was doing and pitch in where ever needed. And she did it with a smile and a light comment which put everyone at ease. A single mother, Ms. Teel plans to continue her nursing career in a local community hospital setting. She plans to continue her education and pursue bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing. Her ultimate goal is to become a Nurse Educator. 8
Leah L. Tyler graduated this spring from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester. Her nomination highlights her commitment to peer mentoring, noting that Ms. Tyler has tutored nursing students and served as a teaching assistant for Anatomy and Physiology. She progressed from being the Nursing Club s events coordinator to serving as the organization s president. She has also been active in service and community activities, including planning the first Relay for Life Event at the college, helping to plan Operation Christmas Child and volunteering for InterVol, a volunteer organization that collects medical supplies for developing countries. In addition to her studies and volunteer work, Leah was a member of the women's soccer team. Ms. Tyler has accepted a position working in the Burn Trauma Center at a local hospital. Photo credit Kimberly Cook Lynne Werbeck graduated this spring from Keuka College in Keuka Park, NY. Ms. Werbeck s nomination for the Future Nurse Leader award notes: Lynne Werbeck, RN, has demonstrated exceptional leadership amongst her colleagues and classmates as well as community at large. Within her professional relationships, Lynne stands out as a beacon for ethical discourse and decision making. She consistently exhibits an exceptional work ethic all the while presenting a positive, optimistic, and inspiring outlook. Among her accomplishments, Ms. Werbeck worked with a group of nursing students to host a booth at the New York State Fair aimed at raising awareness about nursing and health care issues. She wrote an article for a local women's magazine and coordinated other media coverage to publicize the booth. Along with her classmates, she was successful in generating attention, fund raising dollars, and in-kind support for the booth. Ms. Werbeck plans to continue her career in acute care nursing at a local hospital. 9
Amanda Wing graduated this spring from The College at Brockport. Jessica Zoltowski graduated this spring from Elmira College in Elmira, NY. Ms. Zoltowski s nomination for the Future Nurse Leader award notes she was inducted into Rho Gamma, the international nursing honor society and selected for a competitive internship at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She served as a tutor and peer mentor for nursing students. She was elected vice president of the Sports Medicine club last year and worked at the Fitness Center during her four years at Elmira College. Ms. Zoltowski was also a varsity basketball athlete, this year receiving the Empire 8 Player of the Year award. As a senior, she scored double figures in each of 25 games; she set the record for most points scored in a season and was the college s all-time high scorer. She plans to pursue graduate education in nursing with the goal of becoming a Nurse Practitioner or Nurse Anesthetist. 10