Dear Anselmians,
As I reflect on the inaugural year of the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences, and my first year as dean, I wanted to share some of our highlights.
- Our nursing students had the opportunity to gain clinical experience during the summer at a variety of locations, which included a New England summer camp in 2023.
- On the first day of classes, the College announced that Mary Kocev '24, a nursing major from York, Maine, had been selected as the prestigious 2023 – 2024 Fr. Bernard Holmes, O.S.B., Scholar.
- This year's Alumni Awards honored two nursing alumnae who have made significant contributions to healthcare over the course of their careers.
- In October, we were so excited to break ground on Grappone Hall, our new home for the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences. The steel frame is going up and construction is on track for us to welcome our first students into the building in Fall 2025.
- As a part of emergency medical services (EMS) week, our on-campus EMS team hosted a week of hands-on learning and special guests for health sciences and nursing students.
- Over the winter break, a nursing and public health faculty team led a group of nursing students for an immersive clinical experience in Costa Rica.
- The spring semester began with our time-honored tradition of the blessing of the hands for our second-year student nurses. Close to 100 graduating nurses received their pins at the end of April.
- This year was a time for two of our longtime faculty to retire. I'm so thankful to Dr. Maureen O'Reilly, the outgoing director of the nursing department, for her unwavering commitment to our program. We welcome our new undergraduate nursing director – Dr. Carrie MacLeod '83.
- Dr. Deborah McCarter also retired in May, having received distinguished honors from the faculty on campus, as well as the New Hampshire Nursing Association.
- During the spring semester, two nursing students had the opportunity to attend the AACN Student Policy Summit.
For those of you who attended the nurse pinning ceremony in April, I wanted to make sure you had access to the photos taken at the event.
This all leads up to the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences' first graduating class of 99 graduates; 96 nursing, 2 community and public health, and 1 health sciences majors.
I am grateful for all Jean School faculty and staff, and everyone who made this inaugural year so eventful. I look forward to sharing more about the Jean School's 1st strategic plan, new partnerships, and the progress on Grappone Hall in the fall.
Enjoy a happy and healthy summer!
With warmest regards,
Diane
Diane Uzarski, DNP, MPH, RN
Dean and Professor of Practice,
Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences