Danielle Garrity was born with a rare congenital condition called Goldenhar syndrome, where the eye, ear and spine develop incompletely. The medical care that was required throughout Garrity’s childhood inspired her to pursue a health care career.

“Nursing has always had my heart,” said Garrity. “As a child surrounded by a team of ‘white coats,’ it’s intimidating and scary. The nurses were always by my side to comfort me and explain the next steps. I wanted to give others that compassion.”

Raised in Attleboro, Massachusetts, Garrity earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Rhode Island College in 2012. She was part of the first cohort to earn a master’s degree in nursing and interprofessional leadership, a program geared toward preparing professional nurses to advance their leadership skills within the health care system, through the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing at UMass Chan Medical School.

“I was searching for a master’s program that was tailored toward nurse leaders, not necessarily nurse practitioners or nurse educators,” said Garrity. “UMass Chan’s willingness to work with each grad student to meet their needs and guide them to success has been invaluable. With a large school and a large organization, it is great that this individual connection for students doesn’t get lost along the way.”

Garrity has been a nurse for ten years and serves as a nurse manager at UMass Memorial Medical Center, which is UMass Chan’s clinical partner and shares the same campus. Working closely with the nursing students and being on campus daily prompted her to consider programs offered through UMass Chan.

“Caring for and comforting patients and their families is the most rewarding aspect of nursing,” Garrity said. “I hope to guide others in providing optimal care for our patients.”