Future-Proofing Healthcare
How Penn Nursing’s PhD program is the key to unlocking innovative and equity-focused care and policy.
Small Patients, Big Discoveries
Pediatric nurses spark healthy futures. Faculty and researchers revolutionize pediatric care at the intersection of science and practice.
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A Reflection On Claire Fagin
As Penn Nursing marks the passing of Emerita Dean Claire M. Fagin, nursing leadership takes center stage. Honoring the life and work of this visionary leader.
Read moreA Reflection On Claire FaginClass Notes
Debbie Bell, HUP’68, Nu’72
Shared that she is “enjoying retirement while spending lots of time on the golf course.”
Audrey Corson, HUP’69, Nu’72
Received the 2023 Richard Krugman Distinguished Service Award from the University of Colorado Medical Alumni Association.
Judy Molnar LoGerfo, HUP’69
Works as a Volunteer Access Guide at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Judy shared, “From Nurse Childbirth Educator I diverted to a Masters of Theological Studies and Clinical Pastoral Education to serve as a Board Certified Chaplain in Health Care Ministry for the Archdiocese of Boston. My retirement avocation, in addition to being a Nana, is guiding Access Tours at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. It’s amazing how Nursing is a springboard to new adventures! Looking forward to 55th HUP reunion with classmates (and Zoom pals) this May.”
Kathleen Clark Jesiolowski, Nu’71
Volunteers as a certified registered nurse practitioner in Lebanon, PA. Kathleen shares “Still enjoying employment as a provider for the uninsured in my community. Loving every moment of my 55 years as a nurse. Fitting in beach time in Lewes, DE as much as I can.”
Ruth Miller Correnti, Nu’75
Is a Pediatric Nurse at Aveon Health.
Aileen Goldstein Staller, Nu’76
Is the Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Nursing at Ave Maria University in Florida. Aileen shared, “I obtained my MSN, then Nurse Practitioner post masters certification from University of South Florida (USF), and finally a DNP from USF. I also received my AOCNP certification and went on to practice in neurosurgery and neuro oncology for 30+ years. Now spending my pre-retirement time in academia.” Sharon Keeney, GNu’79, is the Associate Director of Clinical Program Management at Johnson & Johnson Co.
Kathleen Brewer-Smyth, GNu’85, GR’01
Helene Moriarty GNu’81, GRN’90
A professor of nursing at Villanova University and co-program director of VA Interprofessional Fellowship in Patient Safety at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, has received Villanova University’s Scholarly Achievement Award for 2023. The award recognizes excellence on the part of faculty for published research, scholarship, and/or creative expression, and is given for accomplishments in the preceding three academic years.
Donna Gaffney, GNu’85, GRN’86
Madelyn Trupkin Herzfeld, Nu’96, W’96
Is the Founder and Vice Chair of Carevive Systems. Founded in 2013, Carevive is an oncology-centered health technology company committed to understanding and improving the patient experience. The platform enables providers to monitor patient symptoms remotely using electronic patient-reported outcomes and to provide timely interventions that improve survival outcomes and patient quality of life.
Darlene D. Pedersen, GNu’97,
Is an advanced practice psychiatric nurse. She has authored two new editions of her clinical titles for psychiatric professionals—PsychNotes: Clinical Pocket Guide (sixth edition) and Pocket Psych Drugs: Point-of-Care Clinical Guide (second edition).
Jennifer S. Graber, GNu’99
Hannah Rabinowitz, GNu’00
Is the Vice President of Clinical Education at HCA Healthcare.
Victoria Garcia-Albea, Nu’03, GNu’06
Lauren Arrigoni, NU’11, GNU’16, GRN’22
Jennifer Newcomer, Nu’11, GNu’16
Loretta Sernekos, GNu’12, GNu’19
Currently serves as an Advanced Senior Lecturer at Penn Nursing, and was awarded the University-wide Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence by Non-Standing Faculty in the Spring of 2023.
Rachel McFadden, Nu’14
Received a 2023 National Magnet Nurse of the Year Award from the American Nurse Credentialing Center. Rachel, who works as a clinical nurse at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, was awarded the Transformational Leadership Award.
Jaya Sondhi, Nu’16
Graduated with her MBA from NYU Stern School of Business in September 2022 and recently launched Virtual Constant Observation at NYU Langone Health, which uses Artificial Intelligence to observe patients.
Marcus D. Henderson, Nu’17, GNu’20 and Jennifer Gil, GNu’20, GR’26
Breanne Mastromarino, Nu’19
Eligio David P. Soliman Jr., GRN’22
Is a clinical associate professor of the doctor of nursing practice program at the University of San Diego. He writes, “This year, I advanced within my clinical role at Kaiser Permanente in Southern California, within the inpatient endocrinology team, and joined the council for the Advanced Management for Inpatient Diabetes. I participated in research undertakings in developing prediction models for hypoglycemia and readmission.”
Julie Nguyen, GNu’23
Is excited to start her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner career at The Courage Clinic, a women-owned mental health telehealth clinic working to increase accessibility to all in Colorado, particularly to our underserved populations.
Two Great Ways to Double the Impact
Thanks to the generosity of two members of Penn Nursing’s Board of Advisors, Andie Laporte Nu’69 and Melanie Nussdorf CW’71, the school has two matching gift opportunities. Your gift to the funds below will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, immediately doubling not only the amount of your gift, but, more importantly, the impact—for our students, and for health and health care in communities around the world.
In Memoriam
Mary Jane Bensel, HUP’48, on December 16, 2022
Mildred E. Krzywicki, Nu’51, on June 29, 2023
Jeanne Korns Clark Nu’53, on August 23, 2023
Mary Noel Conneely Gorka, HUP54, on September 28, 2023
Viola G. Little, HUP’54, on December 7, 2023
She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing as a registered nurse and worked at numerous hospitals worldwide during her career. She retired after 10 years at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida.
Elizabeth Bodine, HUP’56, on November 14, 2023
After graduating from J.W. Cooper High School in Shenandoah, PA, she moved to Philadelphia where she graduated from The University of Pennsylvania Nursing School in 1956. She worked as a Registered Nurse for almost two decades. With an interest in expanding her professional skills, she graduated from Immaculata College with a Bachelor of Arts degree and worked as a dietician for several years. Subsequently, she worked at Delaware County Community College as a member of the College’s library staff.
Doris Morgan Huegel, HUP’56, on January 22, 2023
Alice Mullendore Thomas, HUP’56, on February 24, 2023
Nancy Dunsmore, HUP’57, on December 10, 2023
Nancy was a 1954 graduate of Philipsburg High School and graduated from The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. She later attended Millersville, where she graduated with a master’s in education. Nancy retired from The Capital Area Intermediate Unit after 36 years as a school nurse.
Lynne Seydell, HUP’57, on June 18, 2023
Lynne dedicated her professional life to serving others as a registered nurse in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Utah, and finally settled in Delaware where she worked at various medical facilities in the fields of psychiatry, maternity, pediatric, and geriatric nursing. She retired from the University of Delaware’s Health Center, where she spent almost twenty years caring for students, faculty, and staff. Her compassion, care, and commitment made a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals.
Dorothy Lewis, Nu’58, on January 21, 2023
Ann Schaum Snavely, Nu’59, on January 26, 2023
Patricia Gaskill Eckersley Nu’62, on June 14, 2023
Tatjana Balabkins May, Nu’64, on September 14, 2023
Rosalyn “Roz” Jones Watts, EdD, FAAN, RN, GNu’67
Dr. Watts had a distinguished academic career at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing that spanned four decades and combined teaching, research, and administrative responsibilities. She joined Penn Nursing’s faculty as an instructor in 1969, moving through the ranks to become an associate professor in the graduate division of nursing in 1982. She also held a secondary appointment in the department of nursing and biobehavioral health sciences. She retired in 1999 and assumed emeritus status.
Dr. Watts’s impact at Penn was wide. In 1984, she developed the Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist Program, which evolved over the next ten years into the first Critical Care Nurse Practitioner program in the country. Alumni commonly refer to themselves as “a graduate of Roz’s program.” Combining “superb professional leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration,” Dr. Watts was an advocate and mentor for minority students and spearheaded the Biennial Black Health program at Penn Nursing, which addressed health disparities for African Americans. When Dr. Watts received Penn’s coveted Lindback Award in 1997, a former graduate student wrote: “a teacher should enable students to think and create as they might say in today’s re-engineering circles ‘out of the box.’ Roz Watts has been out of the box for years. She always insisted on high standards. She insisted that we write ‘elegantly,’ think ‘critically,’ and perform expertly.” A colleague noted: “The School of Nursing is justifiably proud of its advising program and Dr. Watts serves as a role model for excellence in undergraduate and graduate and doctoral advising.”
Dr. Watts’ passion for advancing marginalized groups’ presence at Penn did not end with her retirement from Penn; shortly thereafter, Dr. Watts returned to Penn Nursing to lead the Office of Diversity Affairs. As the director of this office, she interacted with faculty, students, and staff to help facilitate the school’s diversity agenda with emphasis on recruitment of under-represented groups, curriculum development on cultural competence, and faculty development [regarding] diversity.
“We have lost one of our most respected, and most beloved scholars whose impact was felt by many,” said Penn Nursing Dean Antonia Villarruel in an email to faculty. “She was a trusted colleague and friend who inspired, supported, and touched students, faculty, and all with whom she met.”
Sharon Irene Gallagher, Nu’69, on December 21, 2023
Upon graduation from Penn Nursing in 1969, Sharon’s adventurous spirit led her to Vietnam, where she was responsible for the development and implementation of a care center for premature and malnourished infants abandoned or orphaned during the Vietnam War. Her wartime service led to a Tribute of Appreciation in Recognition of Distinguished Service and Humanitarian Achievement from the U.S. Department of State in 1972.
Sandra Markle, HUP69, on October 4, 2023
After earning her nursing degree, she worked in various hospitals in Hanover and York, PA, as a maternity nurse. She moved to Silver Spring, MD in the 1980s and worked as a civilian nurse at Bethesda Naval Hospital. She then left government service and worked until her retirement at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, MD in the NICU. In 2009 Sandy retired to Highlands Ranch, CO, to be near her nieces and their families.
Kathryn M. Riesz, Nu’71, on August 9, 2023
Ruthgrace West, Nu’73, on August 9, 2023, the day before her 100th birthday
Janet Sala, Nu’81, on October 24, 2023
Virginia Hart Rials, GNu’85, on August 23, 2023
Virgina was a nursing instructor at the University of Virginia. Earlier in her career, she was a nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Cheryl Neisser-Frankson GNu’93, GR’03, GNu’15, on October 9, 2023
Cheryl was an advanced senior lecturer in Penn Nursing’s department of biobehavioral and health science. She served as a teaching assistant on Penn Nursing’s faculty from 1991 to 2001. In 2004 she joined the faculty full time as a lecturer. She was promoted to advanced senior lecturer in 2017.
