Rutgers School of Nursing Magazine - Summer 2024

A L U M N I E X E L L E N C E M Twelve nursing students received scholarships at last year’s gala. Pictured (L-R): Meshack Odawo, Sara Elhag, Brittany Vomero, Youn Yung Hur, Katherine Ho, Mark Ambrose, and Kyrollos Boktor. Not shown: Jennifer Castenda-Ardizzone, Hayley Priestley, Riddhi Rana, Caroline Wendland, and Jenny Zijun Gala Event Supports the Future of Nursing Mark your calendars for December 12, 2024, as the Rutgers School of Nursing Alumni Association prepares for its highly anticipated annual Scholarship and Awards Gala. This year’s event will honor exceptional nurses who have made significant contributions to the profession, featuring the presentation of the 2024 Outstanding Alumni Award and the 2024 Rising Star Award. While the honorees have yet to be named, anticipation is already building for the inspiring stories and accomplishments that will be spotlighted. As always, a highlight of the evening will be the presentation of scholarships to deserving nursing students. All proceeds from the gala will benefit student scholarships, with sponsor- ships, guest tickets, and other opportunities for support avail- able. The event promises to be an unforgettable celebration of dedication, achievement, and the future of nursing. Reflecting on the 2023 Gala Last year’s gala, held on November 30, 2023, was a resound- ing success. The alumni association was pleased to award substantial scholarships to 12 high-achieving undergraduate and graduate nursing students. The event also recognized these extraordinary alumni: n Outstanding Alumni Award: Mary Beth Russell, PhD, MA, RN, NPDA-BC, NEA-BC, FNAP, CPHQ. (BS in Nursing ’85). She is senior vice president, Center for Professional Devel- opment, Innovation, Research and the Institute for Nursing Excellence at RWJBarnabas Health, New Jersey. n Rising Star Alumni Award: Al-zada Aguilar, DNP, ACNP-BC, CSC, CCRN, RN BC (BS ’07, MSN ’12, DNP ’18). He serves as advanced practice nurse at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, RWJBarnabas Health, New Jersey. n Alumni President’s Award: Shanda Johnson, PhD, APN-C, FNP (BS ’97, MS ’01, PhD ’14). She is an assistant professor at New Jersey City University and a family nurse practitioner. The gala also paid tribute to three recently retired Rutgers School of Nursing faculty members who have shaped count- less nursing careers: n Barbara Caldwell, PhD, APN-BC n Debora Tracey, DNP, RN, CNE n Suzanne Willard, PhD, APN-C, FAAN Celebrations to Come As the 2024 gala approaches, excitement is building for another evening of recognition, inspiration, and celebration. The Rutgers School of Nursing Alumni Association Scholar- ship and Awards Gala continues to be a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting and celebrating the nursing profession. n