EMCON Alumni Newsletter May & June 2024
Dear Alumni & Friends,
Congratulations to the Class of 2024 on their graduation and joining the alumni community! I invite you to read about PhD graduate Siriphorn Na Nakorn impacting the next generation of nurses in Thailand, mark your calendar for Homecoming, and learn about a talented group of UMass Nursing alumni authors.
Here's to the Class of 2024!
Last month, we congratulated the Class of 2024 on their graduation from UMass! It’s been a busy time but full of celebrations of student success – PhD Awards celebration; Doctor of Nursing Practice and Master's of Science Scholarship Day; Undergraduate Awards celebration; Graduate Commencement; Undergraduate Commencement; Honors College celebration; and finally, our EMCON Senior Recognition and Pinning ceremony.
This class showed immense perseverance—taking many of their classes through the pandemic and emerging into our new normal. They have embraced a deep appreciation for nursing being a global profession. I am proud of recent graduates like Siriphorn Na Nakorn '24PhD who are taking the lessons they learned in Amherst and bringing them to the other side of the world.
Na Nakorn recalls how her journey to UMass began. Coming from Thailand, she shares that "studying abroad was daunting, but once I arrived in the U.S., the support I received from the faculty at the College of Nursing was exceptional. Their support made me feel welcomed and not alone, despite being far from home."
Na Nakorn relates how her "experience at UMass not only deepened my understanding of psychiatric and mental health nursing but also equipped me with the methodologies necessary to conduct independent research. As a result, I am now an independent researcher who can effectively translate theoretical knowledge into practical applications within the clinical setting. By integrating research-based evidence into my teaching, I aim to inspire and empower the next generation of nurses in Thailand, much like my mentors at UMass inspired me." Read more of Na Nakorn's story here.
Congratulations to all of our graduates—they are poised to make a difference in the nursing profession and the world!
Class of 1973 Luncheon
On May 3, 14 members of the Class of 1973 got together in Sturbridge, MA for a luncheon to reminisce and make new connections with classmates. I was so glad to see many of the class there, where smiles were ear-to-ear. Crystal Neuhauser and Ben Monat, who work with our College at the UMass Amherst Foundation, would be thrilled to speak with you about getting your class together for a reunion. Please write to Ben Monat at bmonat [at] uma-foundation [dot] org (subject: ) (bmonat[at]uma-foundation[dot]org).
Elaine Marieb Center for Nursing and Engineering Innovation (EMCNEI) Corner
Each year, as part of the EMCNEI mission to promote healthcare innovation, the Center awards Pilot Grants to UMass faculty teams that use collaborative, interdisciplinary nurse-engineer research to discover and fill gaps in effective healthcare products and processes. This year, four yearlong pilot projects were awarded addressing a diverse range of topics that highlight the unique contributions of nursing and engineering teams.
This year’s projects are focused on nursing workload, the connection between health and local farming, new methods to measure actual IV pump flow rates, and the development of novel polymers in patient warming devices.
Curious to learn more about the Elaine Marieb Center for Nursing and Engineering Innovation? View their 2023 report here.
Homecoming September 20 and 21 - Please save the date!
Taking place on campus Friday, September 20 and Saturday, September 21, Homecoming will feature community events for all UMass alumni and friends. I will be sure to share more information as it becomes available.
Alumni Authors
We are fortunate to have many talented authors in our alumni community. Most recently, emerita faculty Donna Zucker '90MS shared the news that she collaborated with PhD alumni including Patricia Bruckenthal '04PhD, Kimberly Dion '15PhD, Sonya Lachance '17DNP, '20PhD, and Sheila Pennell '08BS, '17DNP, '17PhD to write Case Study Methodology for Nursing: Exploring the Lived Experience of those with Chronic Health Problems.
The book dives into finding shared solutions for common health problems from a nursing perspective, and highlighting the need to understand what people are feeling, thinking, and doing to enhance health and improve quality of life. This is a great example of our alumni nursing community working together to better the lives and experiences of nurses worldwide. Congratulations to all involved!
In Closing
Authentic and accomplished nurses comprise our UMass Nursing community, and being surrounded by these excellent individuals each day brings me great joy. As the Class of 2024 embarks on the next stage of their nursing journey, they have our support and join the extensive network of our incredible nursing alumni family. I am confident they are well-equipped to choose their own path that is meaningful, challenging, and rewarding.
Sincerely,
Allison Vorderstrasse
Professor and Dean
Elaine Marieb College of Nursing