From a Small Town in Turkey to UMass Faculty: Memnun Seven Tells of her Nursing Journey

Content

Memnun Seven, PhD, Assistant Professor at the College of Nursing, is pictured here after working at the UMass Amherst COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Campus Center today. She is among the College of Nursing faculty and students who have been serving at the COVID-19 testing and vaccine clinics throughout the pandemic. 

Dr. Seven, a native of Eskisehir, Turkey, joined the UMass Amherst College of Nursing faculty in 2019. She received her BSN, MSN, and PhD at Gülhane Military Medical Academy in Ankara, Turkey, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Iowa College of Nursing. 

Her research interests include symptom management and health behaviors among people affected by cancer. 

Dr. Seven says of her work at the COVID-19 clinic, “In the darkness of the pandemic, working in the Vaccination clinic is like the light that we all hope to see. It is a moment of pride as well, to see how our students and our colleagues work selflessly, and of course, I just want to be part of this rewarding work to serve and connect with our community.

Tell us about your personal background: 

I grew up in a small town with a big family, who had limited sources, yet valued education and the opportunities it can bring. My family sacrificed a lot so I could pursue my university education. I always dreamed of leading the change for a fulfilling life for all and giving back not only to my family but to all community. Luckily, as a first generation PhD graduate, with my nursing degree, I had the opportunity to serve the community in different ways that have been the joy of my life. 

Memnun with her parents on October 6th, 2019 at the train station in Eskisehir, Turkey. This was the day she said farewell to her parents before she took a flight from Istanbul to Boston to begin her new position at the College of Nursing. 

What are your hobbies?

I like hiking, and being in nature which is so possible here in Western MA. I also like traveling and having friends from all around the world to listen to and learn from their lived experiences. 

How were you inspired to follow a career in nursing and become a nursing professor? 

I believe that nursing was my destiny that I was thrown into, and as I practice as a bedside nurse, the joy of learning and discovery made me get into academia. Now, I truly enjoy how I make a difference in our students' lives, and how our students make a difference in my life. 

What are your hopes and plans for the future?

I want to be a real global citizen who serves diverse populations within and beyond where we live. The COVID-19 Pandemic taught us the interconnectedness of our world and respecting and valuing existing diversity is a way to find personally meaningful ways to challenge injustice.