EMCON Alumni Newsletter September 2023
September 15, 2023
Dear Alumni,
Excitement is in the air with the beginning of the 2023 fall semester! I am thrilled to be welcoming both returning and new nursing students as they embark on their upcoming learning journey.
We have done much planning to make our students feel right at home, including welcoming our new Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) class to Amherst and Skinner Hall. We heard from students that while the Springfield location was convenient, they missed being a part of the campus community in Amherst. To make sure our current ABSN students’ studies are uninterrupted, they will be completing their studies in our Springfield location. Thank you to faculty and staff, in-particular the simulation lab team, who have been working hard to ensure Skinner Hall is ready to go to for the start of the school year.
Our faculty are recognized across campus - research of Dr. Jeungok Choi and Dr. Karen Giuliano working on separate projects received acknowledgement by the Provost and the Vice Chancellor for Research and Engagement, providing grants to support their work. Dr. Lucinda Canty, Dr. Gabrielle Abelard ’97BS ’01MS, and Dr. Favorite Iradukunda ’20PhD are being inducted in October as prestigious Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing
Collaboration is a big focus of activity. The Elaine Marieb Center for Nursing and Engineering Innovation is highlighted for its collaborative approach to nursing simulation and research. The center recently released their 2022 Annual Report, which delves into details about the important work they are doing at a local and national level. It is an engaging read worth your time. We have also partnered with Cooley Dickinson Hospital to create a “clinical match program”, where our students can apply for clinical experiences, giving them valuable experience to help propel their nursing careers post-graduation.
The impact of UMass nursing goes far beyond the town of Amherst. Clinical faculty member Lindsay DuBois ’11BS ’28PhD will travel to Ghana in November to provide training to Ghanian midwives on life-saving resuscitation training and neonatal care for babies at birth. And if you are on social media, look for @travelboundmom, Dr. Carrie Ellen-Briere who does extensive research on breast milk and in her spare time enjoys travelling and giving tips on providing milk for babies when on the go.
I am honored to share with you the story of alumna Jocelyn Johnson ’93MS, who took the time to sit down with us to share her journey defeating cancer, discuss the recent book she wrote and why she decided to become a nurse. Ronald Rollon ’23DNP shares his perspective of growing up in rural Philippines, moving to Anaheim, California, and being selected as the recipient of the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing Leadership Award.
I am also thrilled to have the support and enthusiasm of our new Chancellor, Dr. Javier Reyes. Chancellor Reyes visited our college in July and engaged with me and other members of our team as well as with student interns in the Marieb Center for Nursing and Engineering Innovation.
UMass recently honored Liz Theroux, Program Specialist: Nursing Major, RN-BS (30 years of service), AJ Juno Affiliation Agreement Manager (10 years of Service), and Olivia Frazier (10 years of Service), who is well known by our alumni for her years of work as our Executive Director of Development.
Olivia Frazier has embarked on a new role with our college as Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, where she is working together with state and local leaders as well as community partners to enhance the impact our college can have state-wide on the healthcare field. Please keep an eye on your email inbox for an invitation to the Western Massachusetts Healthcare Workforce Summit, taking place Thursday, November 2 at UMass.
Ben Monat will continue to be a point of contact for all alumni, donors, and friends of our college, and is looking forward to introducing you to the new Chief Development Officer, who will join the team hopefully in late fall. Please don’t hesitate to write to Ben with any questions or feedback. He can be reached at bmonat [at] uma-foundation [dot] org (bmonat[at]uma-foundation[dot]org).
Wishing you a fall season full of happiness, meaning, and the learning spirit that pervades our campus with the return of our students eager to learn and relish all that UMass has to offer.
Allison Vorderstrasse
Professor and Dean
Elaine Marieb College of Nursing
P.S. Please be on the lookout for a nursing homecoming meet-and-greet, and celebrating the class of 1973 on Saturday, November 4 early afternoon at the Old Chapel.
P.P.S. We've got a brand-new nursing website including a detailed in memoriam page paying tribute to alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of our Elaine Marieb College of Nursing. Please visit and let us know if there is anything you'd like to see featured.