Post by FIUGoldenPanther on Apr 12, 2007 11:05:00 GMT -5
FIU Nursing Announces Top 25 Outstanding Alumni As It Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary on April 14, 2007
news.fiu.edu/releases/2007/04-02_nursing.htm
FIU Nursing Announces Top 25 Outstanding Alumni As It Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary on April 14, 2007
Gala Event at Doral Golf Resort To Honor Alumni, History of One of Florida’s Top Nursing Institutions
MIAMI, FL (April 2, 2007) – As part of its 25th Anniversary celebrations in 2007, the nursing program at Florida International University (FIU) has announced its list of Top 25 Outstanding Alumni who will be honored at a 25th Anniversary black-tie gala event on April 14, 2007 at the Doral Golf Resort in Miami, Florida.
The anniversary year slogan, “FIU Nursing at 25: A Proud History. An Inspired Future,” sums up the year-long campaign of activities, programs and events which reflect on the program’s quarter-century of growth and impact on the nursing and healthcare professions in South Florida.
FIU Nursing Names Top 25 Alumni
The FIU nursing program was established in 1982 by a consortium of nine local hospitals needing another nursing education institution to produce more nurses in response to the nursing shortage at the time. Since then, more than 4,000 alumni have entered into the healthcare workforce, both addressing the nursing shortage and changing the workforce landscape.
“These 25 individuals are just a small representation of the thousands of alumni who are admirably, compassionately and successfully serving throughout our South Florida community and elsewhere across the state and country,” said Divina Grossman, PhD, RN, ARNP, FAAN, Dean of FIU’s College of Nursing & Health Sciences. She continued, “We are proud of our entire alumni base, and these 25 represent the quality of our graduates over the past quarter-century who are serving as civic and policy leaders, nursing educators, healthcare administrators and executives, industry entrepreneurs and in various other capacities.”
Through the work and effort of these 25 alumni, significant contributions have been made in nursing research, AIDS care, minority healthcare, home infusion technology, educational development, community service and activism.
FIU Nursing at 25: A Brief Look Back
In just 25 years, FIU’s nursing program has quickly risen up the ranks of the Florida’s nursing education institutions to become the second largest producer of nurses (BSN and MSN graduates) in the state. During this time, the nursing program has reached numerous milestones, including most recently its conversion from a School to an autonomous College of Nursing & Health Sciences in October 2006. Other accomplishments include:
o Established the nation’s first Foreign-Educated Physicians to Nursing Program (FEPN), which has graduated and placed more than 160 RNs with local hospitals. It has been recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration with a “Recognition of Excellence” Award / Honorable Mention distinction, and has been delivered to students in Orlando and Tampa, Florida.
* Graduates close to 300 BSN and MSN graduates annually – 2nd most in the state for collegiate nursing institutions.
* Offers South Florida’s only public masters nurse anesthetist program – one of the fastest growing specialty fields in nursing – and PhD in Nursing program.
* Raised more than $5 Million raised in funding for primarily for minority-population and ethnic-based projects nursing research projects.
* Expanded the BSN program with the permanent placement of the FEPN program at the Biscayne Bay Campus to complement University Campus’ BSN curriculum.
* Consistently achieves NCLEX exam pass rates above the national average and among the top three in Florida.
* Home to the Center for Leadership in Family and Pediatric Nursing, one of only ten in the nation and the only in South Florida, aimed at improving care provided to children and families by preparing nurse practitioners who can influence public policy and resources.
* Implemented the Minority Health & Health Disparities International Research Training Program (MHIRT) – a “research abroad” program aimed at encouraging minority nursing students to pursue careers in nursing research via a semester of study with a nursing research mentor in Europe or South America working on studies specific to ethnic and minority related healthcare issues. FIU’s nursing program is one of only a handful in the nation to offer this program.
About the FIU College of Nursing & Health Sciences: Established in 1982, the School of Nursing at Florida International University (FIU) was elevated in October 2006 into the College of Nursing & Health Sciences. It is the second-largest producer of nursing professionals in the State, offering undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, baccalaureate completion and specialty programs in nursing education. The College is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, the Florida State Board of Nursing and the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. Based in Miami, Florida, the College of Nursing & Health Sciences is a part of Florida International University, a federally designated Hispanic-serving institution with a Carnegie Foundation classification as a doctoral, research extensive university. FIU is ranked among the top 100 public national universities by U.S. News & World Reports.
FIU NURSING’S TOP 25 OUTSTANDING ALUMNI
1. John O. Alvarez, RN, OCN – BSN ’03 (Resides: Miami, FL 33184)
Surgical Cardiac Critical Care/Admissions Nurse, Cedars Medical Center
* Graduate of the inaugural class of nation’s first Foreign-Educated Physician to BSN Program (2003)
* Worked for the Visiting Nurses Association of Miami Dade as Assistant Clinical Manager of Admissions and Admissions Supervisor
* Volunteers for the Yearly Flu Campaign for the Elderly, American Cancer Society, Red Cross, League Against AIDS and the March of Dimes
* Hopes to start his own nursing agency in the very near future
2. Christina A. Asch, ARNP-C – BSN ’84 (Resides: Titusville, FL 32796)
Adult Nurse Practitioner, Brevard Skin & Cancer Center
* Graduate of FIU’s first-ever nursing graduating class (1984)
* Was the first Adult Care Nurse Practitioner to practice in Titusville, and continues to speak today on the benefit of nurse practitioners in a community’s healthcare infrastructure
* Founded the Titusville Police Dept.’s “Safari Room,” a kid-friendly interviewing room for sexually abused children between the ages of 2 - 17, and the “Serengeti” Family Waiting Room, in loving memory of her daughter Kimberly
* As President of Titusville Sunrise Rotary Club, developed a community project benefiting community centers for abused women, the homeless, the Veterans Society, the SPCA, the American Red Cross, and the American Cancer Society
* As a Chief Officer in Rotary International, performed community service projects in Nassau, Bahamas benefiting AIDS victims, the blind, teenage children detained by the government, and collected over 2,500 filled backpacks donated to underprivileged school children
3. Ivette Baker, ARNP, PNP, CS – BSN ’89, MSN ’93 (Resides: Miami, FL 33157)
Adult Nurse Practitioner, FPL Well Clinic
* One of the founding nurse practitioners at Camillus House
* Works primary care sites, taking students along to demonstrate the actualization of the nurse practitioner role
* Volunteers for the American Cancer Society’s Papathon drives giving free pap smears to the underserved, and with AGAPE, a rehabilitation program for substance abusing inmates
4. Doreen K. Coombs, RN, CNA, BC – BSN ’90 (Resides: Miami, FL 33296)
Nurse Manager-Nephrology Unit, Mercy Hospital
* Helped implement telemetry monitoring to the Nephrology Unit;
* Mentors staff and nursing students and achieves highest rating in the hospital for patient satisfaction, for which she has been honored numerous times by Mercy Hospital for clinical excellence and leadership
* Volunteer for American Diabetes, Hearth, Cancer and Arthritis Foundations
* Organizes the Community Health Fair at Spirit and Life Worship Center
* Secretary of the Jamaica Nurses Association
5. Valerie Diaz, CRNA, ARNP – MSN ’03 (Resides: Pembroke Pines, FL 33029)
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), South Miami Hospital
* Unites States Naval Reserve, Lieutenant, Nurse Corps – Drilling Reservist
* Volunteers as a CRNA at the Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, FL
* Member of FIU’s first-ever nurse anesthetist program graduating class (2003)
6. Irene Fernandez, CNOR – BSN ’97 (Resides: Key West, FL 33041)
Registered Nurse-Surgical Operation, DePoo Hospital of Lower Keys Medical Center
* 5th generation native “Conch” – all 20+ years providing nursing care has been in Key West
* As a nursing professional in a geographically isolated area, she has been qualified in the following fields to provide a wide spectrum of care in general, gynecological, trauma, orthopedic, pediatric, podiatric, plastic urological, ophthalmic and ENT (ears-nose-throat)
* Member of initial response teams during 1980 Mariel Boatlift o Member of protocol committee, which set the national “Pain Scale” standards.
* Secretary of the Florida Nurses Assn.
7. Mary K. Fritts, CRNP – MSN ’06 (Resides: Coral Springs, FL 33076)
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, EZ Peds (Pembroke Pines)
* EZ Peds is a primary care center for children ages newborn to 22 years
* Served as a Nurse Supervisor for the School Nurse Partnership, helping hire, train, manage and evaluate school nurses for the Broward Public School System
* Involved in research on role of nurse practitioner in care and education for children with Asperger’s Syndrome
8. Marjorie Gillespie-Johnson PhD, ARNP-C – MSN ’96 (Resides: Pembroke Pines, FL 33028)
Family Nurse Practitioner, North Broward Hospital District and GeoCare / Assistant Nursing Professor, FIU
* Provides free healthcare workshops and seminars at inner-city community health centers, schools and churches
* Worked for the Division of Immigration Health, providing medical consultations to Dept. of Homeland Security
* Conducts research, practice, education and community activities on HIV/AIDS and the African-American population and immigrants
9. Jeffrey Groom, PhD, CRNA, ARNP – BSN ’88 (Resides: Miami, FL 33138)
Assistant Director-Anesthesiology Nursing Program, FIU
* Award winning educational specialist and researcher with nearly 40 studies concentrating on computerized simulation and instructional technologies in the classroom and in first-response emergency scenarios
* For FIU’s anesthesiology nursing program (which is considered among the best in the nation), he has implemented web-based access to course curriculums, access to computerized programs that monitor and maintain clinical case counts, long-distance education classroom (the program’s first), and a hands-on simulation mock OR room
* Began his healthcare career as an EMS paramedic and clinical nurse specialist. Recipient of various Special Commendations from the Mayor’s Office in Houston, TX, Miami, FL Metro-Dade Police Dept. and former U.S. House of Representative William Lehman
10. Elizabeth Hernandez, RN – BSN ’87 (Resides: Hallandale, FL 33009)
Director, Mercy Hospital School of Practical Nursing
* Expanded the School from one to three classes, implemented a bridge program with Miami-Dade College to facilitate an LPN-to-RN progression, helped Mercy Hospital obtain NLNAC Magnet status, and currently working to establish an RN School at Mercy
* Volunteers her time to counsel students personally and professional, and guides immigrants on how to get ahead in their new country with a career in nursing
* One of the first O’Brien Award winners at Mercy Hospital recognizing outstanding bedside nursing practice, and a Nightingale Award recipient for exemplary nursing ideals
11. Heather Holder, ARNP – BSN ’91, MSN ’96 (Resides: Miramar, FL33027)
Psychiatric Emergency Assessment Evaluator, Memorial Regional Hospital / Clinical Nursing Professor, FIU
* Founder of Brayne Concepts, private practice nurse practitioner office providing mental healthcare to the community
* 15+ years experience specializing in crisis intervention and emergency psychiatric care
* Adopted a primary school in Legon West Africa and frequently visits Ghana to donate nursing books and teach nursing students at the University of Ghana
12. Marianne Issa, RN – BSN ’06 (Resides: Tallahassee, FL)
RN Consultant for Preparedness, Office of Public Health Nursing, Florida Dept. of Health
* Supervises the development of State-wide Special Needs Shelters, Education & Training for Public Health Nurses, Neighborhood Emergency and Preparedness Programs.
* Sterling Examiner for the State, reviewing and determining which businesses should be recipients of the Governor’s Sterling Award
* Served as a School Nurse for Miami-Dade County Health Department
* Formerly a truck driver before entering RN-to-BSN completion program at FIU
13. Bridgette Johnson, ARNP – BSN ’98 (Resides: Miramar, FL 33023)
Advance Practice Nurse and Nursing Education Specialist, Mercy Hospital
* Redesigned Mercy’s nursing orientation procedure, for which she won an award from the National Nursing in Staff Development Assn.
* Member of the School Advisory Council, Health Magnet Program for Miami Edison Sr. High
* Research Assistant on study re: “Improving the health of older Floridians with Diabetes”
14. Kim Jolly, ARNP – BSN ’90, MSN ’93 (Resides: Lauderhill, FL 33319)
Nurse Practitioner, North Broward Hospital District (including William B. Dandy Middle School, Deerfield Beach High School, Blanche Ely High School)
* Specializes in adolescent development and prevention and care of teen pregnancy and drug abuse
* Volunteer for United Way of Broward County’s Commission on Substance Abuse
* Organizes health fairs for schools, churches and local community organizations in South Florida and Nassau, Bahamas
15. Sandra Kreul, ARNP – BSN ’93, MSN ’96 (Resides: Valrico, FL 33594)
Nurse Practitioner-Coordinator of Practice, Benedict S. Maniscalco, MD
* Serves as Chair of Heartbeat International, a worldwide organization operating in 30 countries providing life-saving and life-enhancing pacing devices to indigent populations
* Clinician specializing in cardiovascular prevention, diagnosis and lipid disorders and associated conditions (hypertension, obesity, etc.)
* President of the Central FL chapter of Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Assn. and Board Member for the Florida Lipid Foundation and Southeast Lipid Associates
16. Joanne Kroesen, ARNP, CPHQ – MSN ’99 (Resides: Miami, FL 33157)
Director, Organizational Development and Public/Community Health Nursing, Miami-Dade County Health Department (MDCHD)
* Retiring from MDCHD after 15 years of service and accomplishments, among them coordinating the Miami-Dade County HIV/AIDS Summit of 1998, the administration of all public health nursing operations including Healthy Start, High Risk Children’s Program, School Health & Nursing Education, Infant Immunization Initiative, Disaster Planning and Indigent Care Task Forces, and special assignment coordinating the Hurricane Andrew Community Health response field activities
* Serves as a facilitator for FIU nursing students in the Health Department, creating opportunities for leadership development and building bridges for cooperative experience
* Prior to her time at MDCHD, she worked for 20 years as nurse for Jackson Memorial Hospital, specializing in pediatric, women’s health and maternal/child care divisions.
17. Mayra Lima, RN, FNP-C – BSN ’93, MSN ’00 (Resides: Pembroke Pines, FL 33026)
Advanced Family Nurse Practitioner, Memorial Center Institute/Breast Cancer Center
* She herself has been stricken with breast cancer, and volunteers for community education programs on breast cancer detection and prevention
* Formerly with UM’s Sylvester Cancer Center as a research nurse specializing in oncology and hematology, and assisting in protocol development and implementation addressing pancreatic, esophageal and colon malignancies
* Volunteers as a preventative medicine educator for “An Ounce of Prevention,” which provides health education communities on topics such as prevention of hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis and obesity
18. Linda Nylander-Householder, RN, ARNP, CCRN – MSN ’01 (Resides: Miami, FL 33173)
Critical Care Educator and ECMO (extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation) primer/specialist, Miami Children’s Hospital (MCH)
* Recognition from the Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency for her work to improve organ donation awareness (2003); MCH Nurse of the Year for Patient/Family Relations (1997) and Nurse of the Year for Clinical Excellence (1999)
* Presents nationally and in the Bahamas on the topic of critical care nursing and pediatric emergencies, accident prevention for infant and toddlers, and pediatric conditions such as craniofacial disorders, plasmapheresis, apheresis.
* Authored and published infant and toddler safety guidelines for Nursing Spectrum and Advance for Nurses magazines
19. Joan M. Osborne, EdD(c), ARNP, RN, BC, CNA – BSN ’93, MSN ’97 (Resides: Davie, FL 33325)
Director of Clinical Practice & Research/Clinical Education, Broward General Medical Center
* Implements evidenced-based practice in the work routine and develops continuing education programs, and developed the Clinical Nurse Specialist Nursing Report Card for nurse evaluation at the facility
* Coordinates National CPR and Nursing Quality Indicators databases, and developed hospital-wide Rapid Response Team structure and practice for the national Institute of Healthcare Improvement Campaign
* Lisa Philips Leadership Award Nominee, North Broward Hospital District (2005)
20. J. Craig Phillips, LLM, ARNP, BC, ACRN – MSN ’99 (Resides: Oakland Park, FL 33309)
Clinical Nurse Specialist & Coord. of Research-Nursing Educ. & Mental Health Services, Mercy Hospital
* Implementing an aggression control program for Mercy Hospital’s Mental Health Services
* Developed policies and procedures that assure patient and staff safety related to a broad range of behavioral issues from suicide prevention to management of patients in acute psychiatric crises situations
* Co-chair of the Assn. of Nurses in AIDS Care Scope and Standards Task Force – which developed the Scope and Standards of HIV/AIDS Nursing guidelines published by the American Nurses Assn. in November 2006
* Co-investigator/research nurse on study re: Nutrient therapy in Botswana, Africa funded by the National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Drug Abuse
21. Rosa Roche, ARNP-C – BSN ’94, MSN ’94 (Resides: Miami, FL 33182)
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Miami Children’s Hospital (MCH) Pulmonology Group
* Coordinator of the Asthma and Cystic Fibrosis Centers / Facilitator of the Cystic Fibrosis Support Group
* Principal Investigator on a longitudinal epidemiological study on cystic fibrosis sponsored by Genentech: “The Effects of Home Nursing on Parents Interaction with their Ventilator Dependent Child”
* Former co-chairperson and current member of the “Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis,” Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and 15 year volunteer of the VACC (Ventilation Assisted Children’s Center) Camp organized by MCH
22. Dolores S. Serrecchia, RN – BSN ’85 (Resides: Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33326) Clinical Director, Jackson Memorial Hospital Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Facility (PPEC)
* Nearly 20 years of working for Jackson Memorial Hospital, starting as a staff nurse on the Infant/Toddler floor, prior to serving 15 years in her current position looking after children with special healthcare needs
* Family-centered patient advocate in charge of keeping the facility up-to-date with the latest care and medical technologies, mentoring junior nurses, coordinating medical follow-up appointments and providing transportation and home visits for families in need, and organizing field trips for the children to enjoy life-experiences beyond the hospital halls
23. Jose Sotomayor, RN – BSN ’93 (Resides: Miami Beach, FL 33140)
Founder, President & CEO, Infusion Technologies Health Services, Inc.
* Founder of a Florida-based provider of specialty injectable pharmaceuticals, quality home infusion and related home healthcare services for the State
* Privately held company has grown steadily since it was established in 1999, and today is regarded as a leading force in specialty care and home infusion services Services include coordinating specialized nursing care for infusion therapies and wound care, at-home physical therapists, occupational therapists and nursing aids, in-home pharmacy services including drug and medical product delivery, medication management, and case management for a wide variety of high-cost chronic conditions such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis C, cancer and more
* Mission is to provide high quality healthcare services to patients in their home or environment of their choice to promote positive patient outcomes and maintain health and patient satisfaction
24. Angelia Williams-Welsh, ARNP – MSN ’00 (Resides: Saginaw, MI 48602)
Medical Services Manager, Health Delivery Inc.
* Graduate of the first-ever nurse practitioner class at FIU
* Dedicated to adolescents through her work for the John H. Peavy Adolescent Center and Donnell D. Morris Adolescent Centers in Miami for 10 years
* Esteemed activist in her hometown of Saginaw County (named a “Top Lady of Distinction”), where she has achieved the following “firsts” for the community
o Received the first Ryan White Title II funding to implement the first HIV/AIDS Immunology Center
o Funded over $1.1M in grants through the MI Dept. of Community Health to implement a school-based health center serving adolescents in urban high schools
o Implemented the first “World AIDS Day” event since 1988; First annual Breast Cancer Pretty in Pink Tea
o Coordinating the first youth health expo in May 2007 targeting sixth grade students
* Volunteers in community health presentation that focus on STD and HIV/AIDS prevention to area churches, youth groups and other community venues
* Named Outstanding Nurse of the Year by the Natl. Black Nurses Assn. -- Saginaw Chapter (2007) and Miami Chapter (1995)
25. Maria L. Wood, ARNP – MSN ‘97 (Resides: Homestead, FL, 33030)
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Director, Miami Children’s Hospital (MCH)
* Began her career 27 years ago as med/surg, pediatric, emergency staff nurse at Bacolod Hospital in the Philippines, followed by three years as a neonatal intensive care nurse for King Fahad General Hospital in Saudi Arabia, and now nearly 20 years of service at MCH
* Accolades include Research Award Winner from MCH (2005), Luminaire Award Nominee from Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency (2003), Mentorship Award from American Organization of Nurse Executives (2002), Leadership and Innovation Award Winner, South Florida Organization of Nurse Executives
* Presents nationally, internationally on areas of pediatric excellence and delivery of care to families of infants and children
* Serves on Florida’s Magnet Research and Planning Committee, National Assn. of Children’s Hospitals and South Florida Nursing Shortage Consortium, and volunteers for the Future Nurses Club of Coral Reef High and Homestead’s YMCA
Gala Event at Doral Golf Resort To Honor Alumni, History of One of Florida’s Top Nursing Institutions
MIAMI, FL (April 2, 2007) – As part of its 25th Anniversary celebrations in 2007, the nursing program at Florida International University (FIU) has announced its list of Top 25 Outstanding Alumni who will be honored at a 25th Anniversary black-tie gala event on April 14, 2007 at the Doral Golf Resort in Miami, Florida.
The anniversary year slogan, “FIU Nursing at 25: A Proud History. An Inspired Future,” sums up the year-long campaign of activities, programs and events which reflect on the program’s quarter-century of growth and impact on the nursing and healthcare professions in South Florida.
FIU Nursing Names Top 25 Alumni
The FIU nursing program was established in 1982 by a consortium of nine local hospitals needing another nursing education institution to produce more nurses in response to the nursing shortage at the time. Since then, more than 4,000 alumni have entered into the healthcare workforce, both addressing the nursing shortage and changing the workforce landscape.
“These 25 individuals are just a small representation of the thousands of alumni who are admirably, compassionately and successfully serving throughout our South Florida community and elsewhere across the state and country,” said Divina Grossman, PhD, RN, ARNP, FAAN, Dean of FIU’s College of Nursing & Health Sciences. She continued, “We are proud of our entire alumni base, and these 25 represent the quality of our graduates over the past quarter-century who are serving as civic and policy leaders, nursing educators, healthcare administrators and executives, industry entrepreneurs and in various other capacities.”
Through the work and effort of these 25 alumni, significant contributions have been made in nursing research, AIDS care, minority healthcare, home infusion technology, educational development, community service and activism.
FIU Nursing at 25: A Brief Look Back
In just 25 years, FIU’s nursing program has quickly risen up the ranks of the Florida’s nursing education institutions to become the second largest producer of nurses (BSN and MSN graduates) in the state. During this time, the nursing program has reached numerous milestones, including most recently its conversion from a School to an autonomous College of Nursing & Health Sciences in October 2006. Other accomplishments include:
o Established the nation’s first Foreign-Educated Physicians to Nursing Program (FEPN), which has graduated and placed more than 160 RNs with local hospitals. It has been recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration with a “Recognition of Excellence” Award / Honorable Mention distinction, and has been delivered to students in Orlando and Tampa, Florida.
* Graduates close to 300 BSN and MSN graduates annually – 2nd most in the state for collegiate nursing institutions.
* Offers South Florida’s only public masters nurse anesthetist program – one of the fastest growing specialty fields in nursing – and PhD in Nursing program.
* Raised more than $5 Million raised in funding for primarily for minority-population and ethnic-based projects nursing research projects.
* Expanded the BSN program with the permanent placement of the FEPN program at the Biscayne Bay Campus to complement University Campus’ BSN curriculum.
* Consistently achieves NCLEX exam pass rates above the national average and among the top three in Florida.
* Home to the Center for Leadership in Family and Pediatric Nursing, one of only ten in the nation and the only in South Florida, aimed at improving care provided to children and families by preparing nurse practitioners who can influence public policy and resources.
* Implemented the Minority Health & Health Disparities International Research Training Program (MHIRT) – a “research abroad” program aimed at encouraging minority nursing students to pursue careers in nursing research via a semester of study with a nursing research mentor in Europe or South America working on studies specific to ethnic and minority related healthcare issues. FIU’s nursing program is one of only a handful in the nation to offer this program.
About the FIU College of Nursing & Health Sciences: Established in 1982, the School of Nursing at Florida International University (FIU) was elevated in October 2006 into the College of Nursing & Health Sciences. It is the second-largest producer of nursing professionals in the State, offering undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, baccalaureate completion and specialty programs in nursing education. The College is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, the Florida State Board of Nursing and the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. Based in Miami, Florida, the College of Nursing & Health Sciences is a part of Florida International University, a federally designated Hispanic-serving institution with a Carnegie Foundation classification as a doctoral, research extensive university. FIU is ranked among the top 100 public national universities by U.S. News & World Reports.
FIU NURSING’S TOP 25 OUTSTANDING ALUMNI
1. John O. Alvarez, RN, OCN – BSN ’03 (Resides: Miami, FL 33184)
Surgical Cardiac Critical Care/Admissions Nurse, Cedars Medical Center
* Graduate of the inaugural class of nation’s first Foreign-Educated Physician to BSN Program (2003)
* Worked for the Visiting Nurses Association of Miami Dade as Assistant Clinical Manager of Admissions and Admissions Supervisor
* Volunteers for the Yearly Flu Campaign for the Elderly, American Cancer Society, Red Cross, League Against AIDS and the March of Dimes
* Hopes to start his own nursing agency in the very near future
2. Christina A. Asch, ARNP-C – BSN ’84 (Resides: Titusville, FL 32796)
Adult Nurse Practitioner, Brevard Skin & Cancer Center
* Graduate of FIU’s first-ever nursing graduating class (1984)
* Was the first Adult Care Nurse Practitioner to practice in Titusville, and continues to speak today on the benefit of nurse practitioners in a community’s healthcare infrastructure
* Founded the Titusville Police Dept.’s “Safari Room,” a kid-friendly interviewing room for sexually abused children between the ages of 2 - 17, and the “Serengeti” Family Waiting Room, in loving memory of her daughter Kimberly
* As President of Titusville Sunrise Rotary Club, developed a community project benefiting community centers for abused women, the homeless, the Veterans Society, the SPCA, the American Red Cross, and the American Cancer Society
* As a Chief Officer in Rotary International, performed community service projects in Nassau, Bahamas benefiting AIDS victims, the blind, teenage children detained by the government, and collected over 2,500 filled backpacks donated to underprivileged school children
3. Ivette Baker, ARNP, PNP, CS – BSN ’89, MSN ’93 (Resides: Miami, FL 33157)
Adult Nurse Practitioner, FPL Well Clinic
* One of the founding nurse practitioners at Camillus House
* Works primary care sites, taking students along to demonstrate the actualization of the nurse practitioner role
* Volunteers for the American Cancer Society’s Papathon drives giving free pap smears to the underserved, and with AGAPE, a rehabilitation program for substance abusing inmates
4. Doreen K. Coombs, RN, CNA, BC – BSN ’90 (Resides: Miami, FL 33296)
Nurse Manager-Nephrology Unit, Mercy Hospital
* Helped implement telemetry monitoring to the Nephrology Unit;
* Mentors staff and nursing students and achieves highest rating in the hospital for patient satisfaction, for which she has been honored numerous times by Mercy Hospital for clinical excellence and leadership
* Volunteer for American Diabetes, Hearth, Cancer and Arthritis Foundations
* Organizes the Community Health Fair at Spirit and Life Worship Center
* Secretary of the Jamaica Nurses Association
5. Valerie Diaz, CRNA, ARNP – MSN ’03 (Resides: Pembroke Pines, FL 33029)
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), South Miami Hospital
* Unites States Naval Reserve, Lieutenant, Nurse Corps – Drilling Reservist
* Volunteers as a CRNA at the Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, FL
* Member of FIU’s first-ever nurse anesthetist program graduating class (2003)
6. Irene Fernandez, CNOR – BSN ’97 (Resides: Key West, FL 33041)
Registered Nurse-Surgical Operation, DePoo Hospital of Lower Keys Medical Center
* 5th generation native “Conch” – all 20+ years providing nursing care has been in Key West
* As a nursing professional in a geographically isolated area, she has been qualified in the following fields to provide a wide spectrum of care in general, gynecological, trauma, orthopedic, pediatric, podiatric, plastic urological, ophthalmic and ENT (ears-nose-throat)
* Member of initial response teams during 1980 Mariel Boatlift o Member of protocol committee, which set the national “Pain Scale” standards.
* Secretary of the Florida Nurses Assn.
7. Mary K. Fritts, CRNP – MSN ’06 (Resides: Coral Springs, FL 33076)
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, EZ Peds (Pembroke Pines)
* EZ Peds is a primary care center for children ages newborn to 22 years
* Served as a Nurse Supervisor for the School Nurse Partnership, helping hire, train, manage and evaluate school nurses for the Broward Public School System
* Involved in research on role of nurse practitioner in care and education for children with Asperger’s Syndrome
8. Marjorie Gillespie-Johnson PhD, ARNP-C – MSN ’96 (Resides: Pembroke Pines, FL 33028)
Family Nurse Practitioner, North Broward Hospital District and GeoCare / Assistant Nursing Professor, FIU
* Provides free healthcare workshops and seminars at inner-city community health centers, schools and churches
* Worked for the Division of Immigration Health, providing medical consultations to Dept. of Homeland Security
* Conducts research, practice, education and community activities on HIV/AIDS and the African-American population and immigrants
9. Jeffrey Groom, PhD, CRNA, ARNP – BSN ’88 (Resides: Miami, FL 33138)
Assistant Director-Anesthesiology Nursing Program, FIU
* Award winning educational specialist and researcher with nearly 40 studies concentrating on computerized simulation and instructional technologies in the classroom and in first-response emergency scenarios
* For FIU’s anesthesiology nursing program (which is considered among the best in the nation), he has implemented web-based access to course curriculums, access to computerized programs that monitor and maintain clinical case counts, long-distance education classroom (the program’s first), and a hands-on simulation mock OR room
* Began his healthcare career as an EMS paramedic and clinical nurse specialist. Recipient of various Special Commendations from the Mayor’s Office in Houston, TX, Miami, FL Metro-Dade Police Dept. and former U.S. House of Representative William Lehman
10. Elizabeth Hernandez, RN – BSN ’87 (Resides: Hallandale, FL 33009)
Director, Mercy Hospital School of Practical Nursing
* Expanded the School from one to three classes, implemented a bridge program with Miami-Dade College to facilitate an LPN-to-RN progression, helped Mercy Hospital obtain NLNAC Magnet status, and currently working to establish an RN School at Mercy
* Volunteers her time to counsel students personally and professional, and guides immigrants on how to get ahead in their new country with a career in nursing
* One of the first O’Brien Award winners at Mercy Hospital recognizing outstanding bedside nursing practice, and a Nightingale Award recipient for exemplary nursing ideals
11. Heather Holder, ARNP – BSN ’91, MSN ’96 (Resides: Miramar, FL33027)
Psychiatric Emergency Assessment Evaluator, Memorial Regional Hospital / Clinical Nursing Professor, FIU
* Founder of Brayne Concepts, private practice nurse practitioner office providing mental healthcare to the community
* 15+ years experience specializing in crisis intervention and emergency psychiatric care
* Adopted a primary school in Legon West Africa and frequently visits Ghana to donate nursing books and teach nursing students at the University of Ghana
12. Marianne Issa, RN – BSN ’06 (Resides: Tallahassee, FL)
RN Consultant for Preparedness, Office of Public Health Nursing, Florida Dept. of Health
* Supervises the development of State-wide Special Needs Shelters, Education & Training for Public Health Nurses, Neighborhood Emergency and Preparedness Programs.
* Sterling Examiner for the State, reviewing and determining which businesses should be recipients of the Governor’s Sterling Award
* Served as a School Nurse for Miami-Dade County Health Department
* Formerly a truck driver before entering RN-to-BSN completion program at FIU
13. Bridgette Johnson, ARNP – BSN ’98 (Resides: Miramar, FL 33023)
Advance Practice Nurse and Nursing Education Specialist, Mercy Hospital
* Redesigned Mercy’s nursing orientation procedure, for which she won an award from the National Nursing in Staff Development Assn.
* Member of the School Advisory Council, Health Magnet Program for Miami Edison Sr. High
* Research Assistant on study re: “Improving the health of older Floridians with Diabetes”
14. Kim Jolly, ARNP – BSN ’90, MSN ’93 (Resides: Lauderhill, FL 33319)
Nurse Practitioner, North Broward Hospital District (including William B. Dandy Middle School, Deerfield Beach High School, Blanche Ely High School)
* Specializes in adolescent development and prevention and care of teen pregnancy and drug abuse
* Volunteer for United Way of Broward County’s Commission on Substance Abuse
* Organizes health fairs for schools, churches and local community organizations in South Florida and Nassau, Bahamas
15. Sandra Kreul, ARNP – BSN ’93, MSN ’96 (Resides: Valrico, FL 33594)
Nurse Practitioner-Coordinator of Practice, Benedict S. Maniscalco, MD
* Serves as Chair of Heartbeat International, a worldwide organization operating in 30 countries providing life-saving and life-enhancing pacing devices to indigent populations
* Clinician specializing in cardiovascular prevention, diagnosis and lipid disorders and associated conditions (hypertension, obesity, etc.)
* President of the Central FL chapter of Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Assn. and Board Member for the Florida Lipid Foundation and Southeast Lipid Associates
16. Joanne Kroesen, ARNP, CPHQ – MSN ’99 (Resides: Miami, FL 33157)
Director, Organizational Development and Public/Community Health Nursing, Miami-Dade County Health Department (MDCHD)
* Retiring from MDCHD after 15 years of service and accomplishments, among them coordinating the Miami-Dade County HIV/AIDS Summit of 1998, the administration of all public health nursing operations including Healthy Start, High Risk Children’s Program, School Health & Nursing Education, Infant Immunization Initiative, Disaster Planning and Indigent Care Task Forces, and special assignment coordinating the Hurricane Andrew Community Health response field activities
* Serves as a facilitator for FIU nursing students in the Health Department, creating opportunities for leadership development and building bridges for cooperative experience
* Prior to her time at MDCHD, she worked for 20 years as nurse for Jackson Memorial Hospital, specializing in pediatric, women’s health and maternal/child care divisions.
17. Mayra Lima, RN, FNP-C – BSN ’93, MSN ’00 (Resides: Pembroke Pines, FL 33026)
Advanced Family Nurse Practitioner, Memorial Center Institute/Breast Cancer Center
* She herself has been stricken with breast cancer, and volunteers for community education programs on breast cancer detection and prevention
* Formerly with UM’s Sylvester Cancer Center as a research nurse specializing in oncology and hematology, and assisting in protocol development and implementation addressing pancreatic, esophageal and colon malignancies
* Volunteers as a preventative medicine educator for “An Ounce of Prevention,” which provides health education communities on topics such as prevention of hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis and obesity
18. Linda Nylander-Householder, RN, ARNP, CCRN – MSN ’01 (Resides: Miami, FL 33173)
Critical Care Educator and ECMO (extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation) primer/specialist, Miami Children’s Hospital (MCH)
* Recognition from the Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency for her work to improve organ donation awareness (2003); MCH Nurse of the Year for Patient/Family Relations (1997) and Nurse of the Year for Clinical Excellence (1999)
* Presents nationally and in the Bahamas on the topic of critical care nursing and pediatric emergencies, accident prevention for infant and toddlers, and pediatric conditions such as craniofacial disorders, plasmapheresis, apheresis.
* Authored and published infant and toddler safety guidelines for Nursing Spectrum and Advance for Nurses magazines
19. Joan M. Osborne, EdD(c), ARNP, RN, BC, CNA – BSN ’93, MSN ’97 (Resides: Davie, FL 33325)
Director of Clinical Practice & Research/Clinical Education, Broward General Medical Center
* Implements evidenced-based practice in the work routine and develops continuing education programs, and developed the Clinical Nurse Specialist Nursing Report Card for nurse evaluation at the facility
* Coordinates National CPR and Nursing Quality Indicators databases, and developed hospital-wide Rapid Response Team structure and practice for the national Institute of Healthcare Improvement Campaign
* Lisa Philips Leadership Award Nominee, North Broward Hospital District (2005)
20. J. Craig Phillips, LLM, ARNP, BC, ACRN – MSN ’99 (Resides: Oakland Park, FL 33309)
Clinical Nurse Specialist & Coord. of Research-Nursing Educ. & Mental Health Services, Mercy Hospital
* Implementing an aggression control program for Mercy Hospital’s Mental Health Services
* Developed policies and procedures that assure patient and staff safety related to a broad range of behavioral issues from suicide prevention to management of patients in acute psychiatric crises situations
* Co-chair of the Assn. of Nurses in AIDS Care Scope and Standards Task Force – which developed the Scope and Standards of HIV/AIDS Nursing guidelines published by the American Nurses Assn. in November 2006
* Co-investigator/research nurse on study re: Nutrient therapy in Botswana, Africa funded by the National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Drug Abuse
21. Rosa Roche, ARNP-C – BSN ’94, MSN ’94 (Resides: Miami, FL 33182)
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Miami Children’s Hospital (MCH) Pulmonology Group
* Coordinator of the Asthma and Cystic Fibrosis Centers / Facilitator of the Cystic Fibrosis Support Group
* Principal Investigator on a longitudinal epidemiological study on cystic fibrosis sponsored by Genentech: “The Effects of Home Nursing on Parents Interaction with their Ventilator Dependent Child”
* Former co-chairperson and current member of the “Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis,” Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and 15 year volunteer of the VACC (Ventilation Assisted Children’s Center) Camp organized by MCH
22. Dolores S. Serrecchia, RN – BSN ’85 (Resides: Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33326) Clinical Director, Jackson Memorial Hospital Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Facility (PPEC)
* Nearly 20 years of working for Jackson Memorial Hospital, starting as a staff nurse on the Infant/Toddler floor, prior to serving 15 years in her current position looking after children with special healthcare needs
* Family-centered patient advocate in charge of keeping the facility up-to-date with the latest care and medical technologies, mentoring junior nurses, coordinating medical follow-up appointments and providing transportation and home visits for families in need, and organizing field trips for the children to enjoy life-experiences beyond the hospital halls
23. Jose Sotomayor, RN – BSN ’93 (Resides: Miami Beach, FL 33140)
Founder, President & CEO, Infusion Technologies Health Services, Inc.
* Founder of a Florida-based provider of specialty injectable pharmaceuticals, quality home infusion and related home healthcare services for the State
* Privately held company has grown steadily since it was established in 1999, and today is regarded as a leading force in specialty care and home infusion services Services include coordinating specialized nursing care for infusion therapies and wound care, at-home physical therapists, occupational therapists and nursing aids, in-home pharmacy services including drug and medical product delivery, medication management, and case management for a wide variety of high-cost chronic conditions such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis C, cancer and more
* Mission is to provide high quality healthcare services to patients in their home or environment of their choice to promote positive patient outcomes and maintain health and patient satisfaction
24. Angelia Williams-Welsh, ARNP – MSN ’00 (Resides: Saginaw, MI 48602)
Medical Services Manager, Health Delivery Inc.
* Graduate of the first-ever nurse practitioner class at FIU
* Dedicated to adolescents through her work for the John H. Peavy Adolescent Center and Donnell D. Morris Adolescent Centers in Miami for 10 years
* Esteemed activist in her hometown of Saginaw County (named a “Top Lady of Distinction”), where she has achieved the following “firsts” for the community
o Received the first Ryan White Title II funding to implement the first HIV/AIDS Immunology Center
o Funded over $1.1M in grants through the MI Dept. of Community Health to implement a school-based health center serving adolescents in urban high schools
o Implemented the first “World AIDS Day” event since 1988; First annual Breast Cancer Pretty in Pink Tea
o Coordinating the first youth health expo in May 2007 targeting sixth grade students
* Volunteers in community health presentation that focus on STD and HIV/AIDS prevention to area churches, youth groups and other community venues
* Named Outstanding Nurse of the Year by the Natl. Black Nurses Assn. -- Saginaw Chapter (2007) and Miami Chapter (1995)
25. Maria L. Wood, ARNP – MSN ‘97 (Resides: Homestead, FL, 33030)
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Director, Miami Children’s Hospital (MCH)
* Began her career 27 years ago as med/surg, pediatric, emergency staff nurse at Bacolod Hospital in the Philippines, followed by three years as a neonatal intensive care nurse for King Fahad General Hospital in Saudi Arabia, and now nearly 20 years of service at MCH
* Accolades include Research Award Winner from MCH (2005), Luminaire Award Nominee from Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency (2003), Mentorship Award from American Organization of Nurse Executives (2002), Leadership and Innovation Award Winner, South Florida Organization of Nurse Executives
* Presents nationally, internationally on areas of pediatric excellence and delivery of care to families of infants and children
* Serves on Florida’s Magnet Research and Planning Committee, National Assn. of Children’s Hospitals and South Florida Nursing Shortage Consortium, and volunteers for the Future Nurses Club of Coral Reef High and Homestead’s YMCA
news.fiu.edu/releases/2007/04-02_nursing.htm
TEARING IT DOWN TO BUILD IT UP