a2 National Symposium: Empowering Innovation in AI/Tech + Aging
Diversity
There is no one who, at some point in their lives, has not required the care of a nurse. With such a staggering breadth of diversity in the patient base we serve, it’s critical that the next generation of nurses not only reflect that diversity, but is sensitive to and skillful in serving whomever may walk through their doors.
Our commitment
The University of Pennsylvania values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
A supportive environment
You’ll find that everyone—from the Dean to the faculty to our students—support and advance our efforts to diversify our School and field.
Our Office of Equity and Inclusion is focused on bringing culturally sensitive knowledge into the classroom, while providing resources to foster the success of all students.
Get involved
We bring students, faculty, and staff together on our Diversity and Inclusivity Advisory Committee to share perspectives and provide leadership in steering School policy, curriculum, and support for diversity initiatives.
By paying careful attention to diversity in nursing science and education, our goal is to instill in our students the capacity to provide the highest level of care to all people.
Student Organizations
Get to know Penn Nursing’s diverse student community by joining one of our student organizations devoted to members of underrepresented groups.
Penn Nursing Student Organizations
- <div class="lw_blurbs_title">Abigail Shiroff</div><div class="lw_blurbs_body"><p> “I describe my time at Penn as drinking from a fire hydrant. With access to such a large hospital system as well as so many experts at our fingertips, plus the various clinical experiences and skills that we get to apply to diverse clinical populations, there really is no end to what you can learn.”</p></div>
- <div class="lw_blurbs_title">Kimberly Abbey</div><div class="lw_blurbs_body"><p> Penn Nursing is an institution that provides access to an abundance of resources, has faculty that are all currently in practice, and is driven by evidence-based research, and I’m confident that it has prepared me well for the real world.</p></div>
- <div class="lw_blurbs_title">Heather Bong, MSN, RN, CPNP-AC</div><div class="lw_blurbs_body"><p> “Throughout both my undergraduate and graduate careers at Penn, I cannot emphasize enough how invested the professors have been in my success. Not to mention the numerous elective classes and opportunities to take classes outside the School of Nursing.”</p></div>
- <div class="lw_blurbs_title">David Norris</div><div class="lw_blurbs_body"><p><picture class="lw_image lw_image9602 lw_align_left"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,105,560,665/9602_David_Norris.rev.1564000194.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,105,560,665/9602_David_Norris.rev.1564000194.webp 2x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,105,560,665/9602_David_Norris.rev.1564000194.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,105,560,665/9602_David_Norris.rev.1564000194.jpg 2x"/> <img width="250" height="250" alt="" data-decoration="true" src="/live/image/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,105,560,665/9602_David_Norris.rev.1564000194.jpg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,105,560,665/9602_David_Norris.rev.1564000194.jpg 2x" data-max-w="560" data-max-h="840" loading="lazy"/> </picture> Penn Nursing offers Returned Peace Corps Volunteers an opportunity to apply for the Coverdell Fellowship, which has allowed me to share and reflect upon my experiences from my host country of Ethiopia. Aside from this, the school offers state-of-the-art simulation experiences, intimate clinical rotations, and global opportunities. As students here, we refine our skills and think innovatively before we even get our first job as a nurse…and if we want to transition into the advanced practice programs, the process is really easy. In my career as a nurse, I hope to incorporate my background in exercise science and global public health into my everyday patient care, ultimately practicing as a CRNA in underserved populations across the US and internationally.</p><p> – David Norris</p></div>
- <div class="lw_blurbs_title">Briana Morgan</div><div class="lw_blurbs_body"><p><picture class="lw_image lw_image13417 lw_align_left"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/27/width/200/height/200/crop/1/src_region/528,0,1892,1365/13417_Morgan_Briana-_Photo.rev.1666105647.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/27/width/200/height/200/crop/1/src_region/528,0,1892,1365/13417_Morgan_Briana-_Photo.rev.1666105647.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/27/width/200/height/200/crop/1/src_region/528,0,1892,1365/13417_Morgan_Briana-_Photo.rev.1666105647.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/27/width/200/height/200/crop/1/src_region/528,0,1892,1365/13417_Morgan_Briana-_Photo.rev.1666105647.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/27/width/200/height/200/crop/1/src_region/528,0,1892,1365/13417_Morgan_Briana-_Photo.rev.1666105647.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/27/width/200/height/200/crop/1/src_region/528,0,1892,1365/13417_Morgan_Briana-_Photo.rev.1666105647.jpg 3x"/> <img width="200" height="200" alt="" data-decoration="true" src="/live/image/gid/27/width/200/height/200/crop/1/src_region/528,0,1892,1365/13417_Morgan_Briana-_Photo.rev.1666105647.jpg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/27/width/200/height/200/crop/1/src_region/528,0,1892,1365/13417_Morgan_Briana-_Photo.rev.1666105647.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/27/width/200/height/200/crop/1/src_region/528,0,1892,1365/13417_Morgan_Briana-_Photo.rev.1666105647.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1364" data-max-h="1365" loading="lazy"/> </picture> <em>“The palliative care program at Penn Nursing provided me with substantial preparation for my role as a Nurse Practitioner and my career in general. The faculty and guest lecturers are world-renowned and deeply engaged in palliative care practice and research. You are truly learning from the best in the field who are at the forefront of palliative care innovation. Because of the high-quality content in the program, I had a strong grasp of the key issues and topics in palliative care that were relevant to nursing practice and the field broadly. These skills were immediately relevant in my clinical practice and also prepared me to get involved in professional organizations and support practice change initiatives on a local and national level. Ultimately, I chose to pursue a PhD in Nursing and am now a researcher and clinician focusing on palliative care and geriatrics in persons living with dementia. I know the skills I learned and connections I made through the Penn Nursing Palliative Care Program were instrumental in achieving this goal. I would strongly recommend the program to anyone with an interest in palliative care. Who knows where it will take you!”</em></p><p><strong>–Briana Morgan, MSN, CRNP</strong><br/><a href="https://www.advancingexpertcare.org/emerging-leaders-award/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Recognized as Emerging Leaders in Palliative Care by the HPNF, 2022</a></p></div>
- <div class="lw_blurbs_title">Tracy Walker, DNP, MSN, RN, CPNP-AP/PC</div><div class="lw_blurbs_body"><p> “It is a very welcoming and inclusive environment; you are treated as a colleague-in-training, surrounded by the best mentors. If you experience challenges, they are framed around your growth process in nursing and faculty are always available to work through the tough moments with students.”</p></div>
- <div class="lw_blurbs_title">Lusine Poghosyan, PhD, RN, FAAN</div><div class="lw_blurbs_body"><p> “It literally changed my life on many fronts, providing me with support and mentorship ‘to grow up’ as a researcher, and so much more.”</p><p> Dr. Poghosyan is also a Professor of Health Policy and Management in the Department of Health Policy and Management, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University</p></div>
- <div class="lw_blurbs_title">Christina Yee</div><div class="lw_blurbs_body"><p><picture class="lw_image lw_image9550 lw_align_left"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,646,2133,2777/9550_Penn_Nursing_ad-166.rev.1561406069.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,646,2133,2777/9550_Penn_Nursing_ad-166.rev.1561406069.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,646,2133,2777/9550_Penn_Nursing_ad-166.rev.1561406069.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,646,2133,2777/9550_Penn_Nursing_ad-166.rev.1561406069.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,646,2133,2777/9550_Penn_Nursing_ad-166.rev.1561406069.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,646,2133,2777/9550_Penn_Nursing_ad-166.rev.1561406069.jpg 3x"/> <img width="250" height="250" alt="" data-decoration="true" src="/live/image/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,646,2133,2777/9550_Penn_Nursing_ad-166.rev.1561406069.jpg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,646,2133,2777/9550_Penn_Nursing_ad-166.rev.1561406069.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,646,2133,2777/9550_Penn_Nursing_ad-166.rev.1561406069.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2133" data-max-h="3200" loading="lazy"/> </picture> Why did I choose Penn Nursing’s Accelerated program? I was immediately enticed by the School’s state of the art <a href="/academics/a-penn-nursing-education/learning-through-simulation/">simulation facilities</a>, the opportunities for a <a href="/global-health/student-opportunities/">global experience</a>, and the draw for an intellectually engaging educational experience. I also wanted to be part of a school that believed in fostering interdisciplinary partnerships, as I appreciate the diversity of perspectives other disciplines would add to my nursing experience. Choosing Penn Nursing’s ABSN program was the most efficient path for me as it offered me a BSN within 1.5 years, and the flexibility to complete my <a href="/family/">Family Nurse Practitioner Program</a> within 5 years time, which is critical in helping me develop my nursing expertise.</p><p> –Christina Yee</p></div>
- <div class="lw_blurbs_title">Azucena Villalobos</div><div class="lw_blurbs_body"><p> “I chose Penn Nursing due to the value this institution places on community engagement and social justice. It has challenged me to think critically and outside the box, and I’ve had the pleasure of learning not only from my instructors, but also from my cohort—everyone brings a multitude of experiences, ideas, and backgrounds.”</p></div>
- <div class="lw_blurbs_title">Michael “Misho” Stawnychy, PhD, CRNP</div><div class="lw_blurbs_body"><p> “They realize that we all have lives and responsibilities and treat students with respect. At Penn Nursing, I have had experiences that I could not replicate anywhere else. My advice for incoming students is to pursue every interesting opportunity at both Penn Nursing and the wider Penn campus because you never know where it may lead.”</p></div>
- <div class="lw_blurbs_title">June Treston</div><div class="lw_blurbs_body"><p><picture class="lw_image lw_image9608 lw_align_left"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,704,2133,2835/9608_Penn_Nursing_ad-13.rev.1564151308.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,704,2133,2835/9608_Penn_Nursing_ad-13.rev.1564151308.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,704,2133,2835/9608_Penn_Nursing_ad-13.rev.1564151308.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,704,2133,2835/9608_Penn_Nursing_ad-13.rev.1564151308.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,704,2133,2835/9608_Penn_Nursing_ad-13.rev.1564151308.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,704,2133,2835/9608_Penn_Nursing_ad-13.rev.1564151308.jpg 3x"/> <img width="250" height="250" alt="" data-decoration="true" src="/live/image/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,704,2133,2835/9608_Penn_Nursing_ad-13.rev.1564151308.jpg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,704,2133,2835/9608_Penn_Nursing_ad-13.rev.1564151308.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,704,2133,2835/9608_Penn_Nursing_ad-13.rev.1564151308.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2133" data-max-h="2131" loading="lazy"/> </picture> At Penn, the DNP degree is not just a piece of paper. It represents a wealth of knowledge that will take me to the next level in my career. Coursework is excellent and is taught by top rated professors who are at the forefront of research and innovation in health care. Faculty are supportive and accessible, with the focus on helping students succeed. Each course has challenged me to think outside the box and has direct applicability to my current role as a clinician, educator, and leader. If you are interested in learning from the best, to become the best, choose Penn.</p><p> –June Treston, DNP class of 2021</p></div>
- <div class="lw_blurbs_title">Tommy Seaman</div><div class="lw_blurbs_body"><p> “With an exceptional faculty at the forefront of innovation, Penn Nursing is preparing me to work and live in an ever-changing health care system and society.”</p></div>
- <div class="lw_blurbs_title">Julie Truong</div><div class="lw_blurbs_body"><p><picture class="lw_image lw_image9548 lw_align_left"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,640,2133,2771/9548_Penn_Nursing_ad-61.rev.1561405996.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,640,2133,2771/9548_Penn_Nursing_ad-61.rev.1561405996.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,640,2133,2771/9548_Penn_Nursing_ad-61.rev.1561405996.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,640,2133,2771/9548_Penn_Nursing_ad-61.rev.1561405996.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,640,2133,2771/9548_Penn_Nursing_ad-61.rev.1561405996.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,640,2133,2771/9548_Penn_Nursing_ad-61.rev.1561405996.jpg 3x"/> <img width="250" height="250" alt="" data-decoration="true" src="/live/image/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,640,2133,2771/9548_Penn_Nursing_ad-61.rev.1561405996.jpg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,640,2133,2771/9548_Penn_Nursing_ad-61.rev.1561405996.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/27/width/250/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,640,2133,2771/9548_Penn_Nursing_ad-61.rev.1561405996.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2133" data-max-h="3200" loading="lazy"/> </picture> I first learned about Penn Nursing through a recruiting event at UC Berkeley where I attended undergrad. I talked to Penn Nursing students and alumni in both CA and the Northeast to garner multiple honest perspectives. What persuaded me to attend the University of Pennsylvania was the general consensus that Penn Nursing is a top-tier program, fostering curiosity and innovation. It was necessary for me to attend a second degree BSN to MSN program that would provide more than just a basic foundation to nursing practice. Through challenging <a href="/academics/a-penn-nursing-education/learning-through-simulation/">simulations</a>, comprehensive lectures by experts in the topic, and <a href="/practice/practice-partners/">top clinical placements</a>, Penn Nursing provides tools for the student nurse to think critically and work cohesively in a team-based, patient-centered approach that translates to quality nursing care. Initially, choosing nursing and Penn Nursing was one of the most terrifying decisions I’ve had to make, but also one of the most exhilarating. It has become one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life thus far. </p><p> –Julie Truong</p></div>
- <div class="lw_blurbs_title">David Norris</div><div class="lw_blurbs_body"><p> “The school offers state-of-the-art simulation experiences, intimate clinical rotations, and global opportunities. As students here, we refine our skills and think innovatively before we even get our first job as a nurse…and if we want to transition into the advanced practice programs, the process is really easy.”</p></div>
- <div class="lw_blurbs_title">Heather Bong, MSN, RN, CPNP-AC</div><div class="lw_blurbs_body"><p> “I cannot emphasize enough how invested the professors have been in my success. Not to mention the numerous elective classes and opportunities to take classes outside the School of Nursing; in fact, this is how I became interested in the Healthcare Administration Program. Penn makes each and every opportunity available to you.”</p></div>
New Leadership Appointment for Penn Nursing Professor
Catherine C. McDonald, PhD, RN, FAAN, has been appointed Chair of Penn Nursing’s Department of Family and Community Health effective July 1, 2024. Currently, she is the Vice-Chair of the Department and the Dr. Hildegarde Reynolds Endowed Term Chair of Primary Care Nursing.
Congratulations to the 2024 Penn Nursing Faculty Award Recipients
All the honorees will be recognized at the Student, Alumni, and Faculty Awards event on Friday, May 17, 2024, 4-5:30 PM EST in the Ann L. Roy Auditorium.
Upcoming Events
Related Links
Contact
For general inquiries:
diversity@nursing.upenn.edu