Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing recognizes exceptional work

The 2024 Celebration of Scholarship and Awards of the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing was held at UMass Chan Medical School on Thursday, May 30.

The annual event preceded the 51st Commencement Exercises taking place on Sunday, June 2, when 46 Doctor of Nursing Practice, 10 Post-Master Doctor of Nursing Practice, five Master of Science and three PhD in Nursing degrees will be conferred, as well as three postgraduate certificates, to the Class of 2024.

In his opening remarks, Terence R. Flotte, MD, the Celia and Isaac Haidak Professor, executive deputy chancellor, provost and dean of the T.H. Chan School of Medicine, said nurses play a critical role in addressing the complex health care challenges of an aging society, including behavioral health issues and substance abuse. He emphasized the importance of self-care for nurses, acknowledging that prioritizing wellness is essential for effective work.

Dean Flotte said, “Nurses are idealistic professionals trying to make the world a better place and do good for people. But sometimes idealistic professionals need to be reminded of the fact that they're not superhuman. All of us need to prioritize taking enough time to focus on our own wellness, and our own self-care. A career in health care is very demanding. It’s not like other professions. Passionate people sometimes don't want to take time away from their work to focus on their own wellness, but it's still essential that they do both for their own well-being, and to make themselves more effective in the care of others.”

Joan Vitello-Cicciu, PhD, the Donna M. and Robert J. Manning Chair in Nursing, dean of the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing and professor of nursing, presided over the award presentations. Dean Vitello discussed the importance of listening deeply and trusting others with their stories, highlighting the need for good stewardship in the nursing profession.

Dean Vitello said, “I'm asking you as nurses to please listen to the stories of what your patients and others feel, what's happened to them, what they fear or desire. We must deeply listen and then become trusted stewards of this story.”

Vitello presented the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing Dean’s Award to Johnny Isenberger, RN, MSN, ACNP-BC, CCRN, praising his exceptional work in critical care and post-intensive care syndrome, highlighting his dedication to raising awareness throughout the community.

“Johnny has presented both locally and nationally on post-intensive care syndrome and has brought recognition to our school. He has a profound impact on students and ICU survivors,” Vitello said. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award.”

Chancellor Michael F. Collins presented the Chancellor’s Award, the evening’s highest honor, to nursing PhD student Jennifer Costa, RN, APRN, PPCNP-BC, for distinguished nursing scholarship and leadership. Costa will serve as the Graduate School of Nursing’s class speaker during Commencement.

Chancellor Collins said, “Jennifer approaches her work from a deep commitment to patient care. The relationship that she has built with pediatric patients and their families inspired her dissertation research on nurse-parent relationships in pediatric cancer care. Her findings provide exquisite insight into pediatric cancer care that would advance nursing education and practice in this area.”

Danielle Hebert, DNP, MBA, MSN’07, ANP-BC, assistant professor of nursing and coordinator of adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner track, was awarded the Faculty Daisy Award, recognizing contributions a faculty member makes to the future of nursing.

The 2024 awards and recipients, some of whom will earn their degrees during Commencement on Sunday, June 2, are: