Alumni Newsletter January - March 2026

By Dean Allison Vorderstrasse

Dear EMCON Alumni and Community Members,

As spring returns, our community continues to learn, celebrate, and support one another, and I am grateful for the many ways you lift up our students and faculty. This issue brings opportunities to connect and grow, and it also invites a moment of reflection and gratitude. With care, we begin by honoring the memory of Ann E. LeBrun '13 MS, an integral community member and nursing alumna whose recent passing has touched many across our college and region.

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At Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Ann’s leadership and her service as a nursing director in inpatient care reflected the best of our profession: excellence anchored in compassion and an unwavering commitment to patient and family centered care.

As colleagues across our community have shared, Ann led with humility, clarity, and steady devotion to her teams and patients. She mentored countless nurses and advanced practice clinicians and strengthened the fabric of care throughout the Pioneer Valley and beyond. Ann focused on the human aspect of nursing, noting that nurses bring compassion in their care, and put themselves in the shoes of those they are treating. 

On behalf of myself and the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing, we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues, and we hold all who were touched by her kindness in our thoughts. Read Ann’s obituary.

View the names of nursing alumni we honor in remembrance.

Coming together—programming that works for you

There never has been a better time to feel the warmth of connection with nursing alumni and community members.

I am thrilled to share with you many options to participate in engaging programming which fit your schedule and preference—from 60 minutes virtually to an all day nursing and engineering symposium. All events are in Eastern Time Zone, and have no cost to participate, unless noted.

In-Person Gatherings and Networking

Conversations with Women of UMass Wednesday, March 25, 2026 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the UMass Club in Boston Nominal fee to attend Highlights:  Ample networking time with powerful female leaders in the healthcare field and other disciplines who are UMass alumni. Panel discussion featuring nurse Kaye Bemis '01 will conclude with an interactive Q&A session.

Come Together — A UMass Nursing Alumni Gathering   Thursday, April 16, 2026 5:00–8:00 p.m. at The Boathouse, South Hadley Nominal fee to attend Highlights:  Come together for a relaxed night of alumni networking and fun, designed and hosted by the Nursing Alumni Board. Heavy appetizers will be served and attendees will receive a UMass branded giveaway.

Deep Dive All-Day Learning

NEIS - Building the Next Generation of Healthcare Innovators Wednesday, April 8, 2026 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Student Union Ballroom Highlights:  Join nurses, engineers, students, and industry leaders to explore how interdisciplinary collaboration drives the future of healthcare innovation. Two not-to-be-missed keynotes include "From Bedside to Manufacturing" and "When Electrical Engineering Meets Nursing".

One Hour Tune-in from Home

Meet the Author: End-of Life Stories and Reflections with Maureen Groden '77 Wednesday, April 1, 2026 6:00–7:00 p.m. via Zoom Highlights:  Join author Maureen Groden ’77 for a conversation about care, connection, and coping in her new book, When a Loved One is Dying. Hear excerpts from Maureen's book and participate in an open discussion with UMass Nursing students and community members.

Social Media, Technology, and Mental Health Tuesday, April 7, 2026 7:00–8:00 p.m. via Microsoft Teams Microsoft Teams link will be provided with registration. Highlights:  What do constant notifications to curated social feeds on our devices mean for our mental well-being? In this timely webinar, experts including Gabrielle Abelard '97, '01 MS will unpack the complex relationship between screens and mental health.

Virtual Open House: MS, DNP, and Graduate Certificate Programs Thursday, April 23, 2026 7:00–8:00 p.m. via Online Highlights:  NP's, RN's, and nurse educators: Learn how to advance your nursing career at UMass. Hear from faculty and program leaders and gain insight into the scholar experience. Q&A time to follow.

Give back, anywhere

UMassGives 2026 April 29 & 30, 2026, Online Highlights:  Donate to Student Scholarships, the Student Nursing Association, and ALANA Nursing Society in this exciting, heartwarming two-day giving festival at UMass. Contact Ben Monat at bmonat [at] uma-foundation [dot] org (subject: UMassGives%202026) (bmonat[at]uma-foundation[dot]org) for easy ways you can spread the word to your personal network.

In conclusion:

Thank you for staying connected to the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing. Your encouragement matters. When you attend events, mentor students, share your expertise, or give when you are able, you strengthen our community and our mission. I hope to see you this spring at one of our gatherings or online. I am grateful for everything you do to advance compassionate, excellent nursing care for the Commonwealth and beyond.

SIncerely,

Allison Vorderstrasse
Professor and Dean
Elaine Marieb College of Nursing