Alumni Newsletter September - October 2026

Stay Connected to UMass Nursing This October

By Dean Allison Vorderstrasse

Welcome to your nursing alumni and community newsletter! With October in full swing, there is lots to fill you in on:

Meet the first cohort of PhD scholars who are strengthening healthcare innovation through nursing and engineering (SHINE).

Homecoming 2026: Your Flagship Fall Starts Here

Join your UMass community October 9-10 to experience a quintessential New England autumn and unmistakable UMass pride.

View the full schedule of events and register today!

College News

Lucinda Canty receives grant to study preeclampsia 

The initiative will look into treatment and raising awareness of the pregnancy-related complication. Preeclampsia is a perilous, even deadly condition often diagnosed after pregnant or post-partum patients experience dangerously high blood pressure.

New Study Abroad Opportunity in Greece

The program combines classroom instruction with immersive, experiential learning that explores connections among food, culture, health, and sustainability through the Mediterranean lifestyle.

Alumni News

Nurse in Global Health: Maria Theresa (Tess) Panizales, '17 DNP

Tess Panizales '17 DNP shares how her father and grandmother encouraged her to be a nurse, and how she combined her first career choice of becoming a diplomat through her global health involvement, as a professional and volunteer at large. Her recent White Paper “The Global Voice of Nursing’s Future" is widely distributed from UN ECOSOC, WHO, ICN and across national leaders.

Advocating for Social Justice in Nursing

More than a scholarship program, the Seedworks Health Equity in Nursing is a comprehensive four-year program designed to optimize student success and support scholars at all levels of their education. Learn about how the program balances scholarship support, academic mentoring, emotional support, networking, and leadership development, made possible by Sue Hagedorn '77 BS.

Pictures from Alumni Board Mentorship Event, September 18, 2026

UMass Nursing alumni Bryanna Breault ’26 ABSN, Kyle Kendall ’21 BS, Archer Meier ‘26 ABSN, and Corinne Rose ’24 BS came together to share their nursing journeys, answer students’ questions, and offer valuable insights as they prepare to enter the profession. Participants also worked in small groups on mock interview questions, helping students build confidence and strengthen their interview skills and enjoyed some light lunch.

The alumni board mentorship committee plans on offering this once in the fall for the Accelerated students and once in the spring for four-year BS students. If you would like to join or learn more, please visit the Alumni Mentorship or mbartolo1991 [at] gmail [dot] com (subject: Alumni%20Board%20Mentorship%20Inquiry) (contact Michael Bartolo) ’19 ABSN.

Upcoming Events

Level Up Your Lunch

Fridays: October 2, 16, & 30, 2026, 12:15–12:45 p.m.

MS, DNP, and Graduate Certificates Info Session

  • For: nurses interested in leveling up their career.
  • Drop in Zoom info sessions to learn about our graduate programs.

Connect with Karen Ayotte, who will be happy to answer your questions.

ALANA Medical Haunted House

Thursday, October 22, 2026, 6:00–8:00 p.m. 

Put your medical knowledge, quick thinking, and teamwork to the test!

  • For: community members ages 13+ and up
  • The Medical Haunted House will feature five haunted rooms, each with a different medical scenario. 

Groups of up to five will be guided from room to room by a host, where they’ll have to work together to figure out what is happening and respond to each medical emergency.

2026 Massachusetts Healthcare Summit

Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. 

Advancing community health and rural care across the Commonwealth.

  • For: nurses, alumni, community members.
  • Join leaders from healthcare, higher education, government, public health, community health centers, long‑term care, and assisted living to address one of the Commonwealth’s most pressing challenges: strengthening the workforce that serves rural and medically underserved communities. 

Breakfast and lunch included.

EMCNEI Corner

First SHINE PhD Cohort Welcomed at UMass Amherst

The Elaine Marieb Center for Nursing and Engineering Innovation welcomed seven PhD trainees into its inaugural cohort of the National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Program called Strengthening Healthcare Innovation through Nursing and Engineering (SHINE). The program trains nursing and engineering students to work in interdisciplinary teams to focus on healthcare challenges related to patient care.

Dr. Emily Patterson is joining UMass as the inaugural Marieb Endowed Professor of Nursing and Engineering Innovation. This is a joint professor appointment between the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing and Riccio College of Engineering in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering.

In Conclusion

At this time of year, so much research, connection, and scholarship is taking place. I am fortunate to see every day this magical connection between faculty and students, watching the future of our profession blossom. Having your involvement and connection means the world to us. I invite you to take a look at ways you can become involved with our College and bring your personal flavor of nursing to our community. 

Sincerely,

Allison Vorderstrasse
Professor and Dean
Elaine Marieb College of Nursing