Penn Global Nursing Fellowship: Alumni

Thanks to a $1 million endowment, Penn Nursing has expanded an exciting program to provide our skilled graduates and faculty with the opportunity to engage in meaningful projects that support the health-related work of global organizations committed to serving vulnerable populations.

Program Background

Building on the success of Penn Nursing’s first Global Nursing Fellow, who worked on a community mental health project in India in 2018, the Global Nursing Fellows Program (GNFP) catalyzes personal and professional growth and leadership to advance competitively selected projects of organizations operating in a global context. Fellowships available through the Penn Global Nursing Fellowship program have been made possible through the Beatrice Renfield Foundation and individual funders. These Fellowships provide an opportunity for extended global engagement of three months to a year, depending on the needs of the organization. Continue reading to learn about benefits, how to participate and to enjoy the stories of former Fellows.

Why become a Global Nurse Fellow?

Fellow Advantages

The Penn Global Nursing Fellowship Program (PGNF) was designed in response to the desire of our graduates (alumni) to engage in meaningful global health work. The PGNF program provides financial and mentoring support that allows selected alumni to make a significant contribution to a worthwhile global effort. The mechanics of the PGNF program involve matching of host-organization-specified needs with skills that can be provided by our alumni when supported by a Penn Nursing faculty mentor.

Benefits:

Real-life, often on-the-ground experience with a global organization
Exposure to another nation and culture with guidance from country hosts
Visibility of your global engagement via website and presentation platforms
Small stipend that helps to make travel possible

Commitment of a Global Nursing Fellow

Fellows are terrific representatives of our formidable alumni community. When they agree to take on a given project for a given period of time, we look forward to their respect of that commitment.

Our People

<div class="section__inner"> <div class="section__image aos-init aos-animate" data-aos="fade-left"> <picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/80/width/320/height/660/crop/1/src_region/0,0,300,300/15558_13826_Welch_picture_copy_2.rev.1706738304.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/80/width/320/height/660/crop/1/src_region/0,0,300,300/15558_13826_Welch_picture_copy_2.rev.1706738304.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/80/width/320/height/660/crop/1/src_region/0,0,300,300/15558_13826_Welch_picture_copy_2.rev.1706738304.jpg" alt="Lauren Welch" width="320" height="660" data-max-w="300" data-max-h="300" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div>  <div class="section__content"> <div class="heading-label section__label"> <p> Lauren Welch </p> </div>  <div class="section__entry"> <h3 class="h2">“It was wonderful to work with Partners in Health – I respect the mission and organization immensely. It was valuable – and challenging - to work with a team in numerous geographic locations.”</h3>  </div>  <div class="section__actions"> <a class="btn" href="/live/profiles/18883-lauren-welch">Find out More<span class="lw_sr_only">Lauren Welch</span></a> </div>  </div>  </div>
<div class="section__inner"> <div class="section__image aos-init aos-animate" data-aos="fade-left"> <picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/80/width/320/height/660/crop/1/src_region/0,0,300,300/15556_12310_Koritsanszky_-_Photo_copy.rev.1706737425.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/80/width/320/height/660/crop/1/src_region/0,0,300,300/15556_12310_Koritsanszky_-_Photo_copy.rev.1706737425.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/80/width/320/height/660/crop/1/src_region/0,0,300,300/15556_12310_Koritsanszky_-_Photo_copy.rev.1706737425.jpg" alt="Luca Koritsanszky" width="320" height="660" data-max-w="300" data-max-h="300" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div>  <div class="section__content"> <div class="heading-label section__label"> <p> Luca Koritsanszky </p> </div>  <div class="section__entry"> <h3 class="h2">“My favorite memory is the greater experience of watching incredible nurse leaders from low- and middle-income countries overcome immense challenges to not only complete the fellowship and grow in their leadership skills, but to support each other across the world.”</h3>  </div>  <div class="section__actions"> <a class="btn" href="/live/profiles/18881-luca-koritsanszky">Find out More<span class="lw_sr_only">Luca Koritsanszky</span></a> </div>  </div>  </div>
<div class="section__inner"> <div class="section__image aos-init aos-animate" data-aos="fade-left"> <picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/80/width/320/height/660/crop/1/src_region/0,0,600,600/15555_12285_Chu_ICU_Headshot_210429_017_copy.rev.1706736991.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/80/width/320/height/660/crop/1/src_region/0,0,600,600/15555_12285_Chu_ICU_Headshot_210429_017_copy.rev.1706736991.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/80/width/320/height/660/crop/1/src_region/0,0,600,600/15555_12285_Chu_ICU_Headshot_210429_017_copy.rev.1706736991.jpg" alt="Stephanie Chu" width="320" height="660" data-max-w="600" data-max-h="600" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div>  <div class="section__content"> <div class="heading-label section__label"> <p> Stephanie Chu </p> </div>  <div class="section__entry"> <h3 class="h2">“I knew this fellowship would open my eyes to the world of health care outside of the U.S. and leave me with a richer perspective and the ability to help those who need it most.”</h3>  </div>  <div class="section__actions"> <a class="btn" href="/live/profiles/18880-stephanie-chu">Find out More<span class="lw_sr_only">Stephanie Chu</span></a> </div>  </div>  </div>
<div class="section__inner"> <div class="section__image aos-init aos-animate" data-aos="fade-left"> <picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/80/width/320/height/660/crop/1/src_region/0,0,242,242/15557_12371_Barbara_Doyle.rev.1706737818.png 1x"/> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/80/width/320/height/660/crop/1/src_region/0,0,242,242/15557_12371_Barbara_Doyle.rev.1706737818.png 1x"/> <source type="image/png" srcset="/live/image/gid/80/width/320/height/660/crop/1/src_region/0,0,242,242/15557_12371_Barbara_Doyle.rev.1706737818.png 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/80/width/320/height/660/crop/1/src_region/0,0,242,242/15557_12371_Barbara_Doyle.rev.1706737818.png" alt="Barbara Doyle" width="320" height="660" data-max-w="242" data-max-h="242" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div>  <div class="section__content"> <div class="heading-label section__label"> <p> Barbara Doyle </p> </div>  <div class="section__entry"> <h3 class="h2">“The fellowship gave me an opportunity to get back into nursing, support the School, and revisit global nursing from the Peace Corps work I did 30 years ago.”</h3>  </div>  <div class="section__actions"> <a class="btn" href="/live/profiles/18882-barbara-doyle">Find out More<span class="lw_sr_only">Barbara Doyle</span></a> </div>  </div>  </div>
<div class="section__inner"> <div class="section__image aos-init aos-animate" data-aos="fade-left"> <picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/80/width/320/height/660/crop/1/src_region/0,0,600,600/15554_12278_IMG_1699.rev.1706736375.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/80/width/320/height/660/crop/1/src_region/0,0,600,600/15554_12278_IMG_1699.rev.1706736375.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/80/width/320/height/660/crop/1/src_region/0,0,600,600/15554_12278_IMG_1699.rev.1706736375.jpg" alt="Alison Ercole" width="320" height="660" data-max-w="600" data-max-h="600" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div>  <div class="section__content"> <div class="heading-label section__label"> <p> Alison Ercole , MSN, BA, CRNP, PMHNP-BC </p> </div>  <div class="section__entry"> <h3 class="h2">“While completing my BSN, I was able to take Penn’s Comparing Health Care Systems in an Intercultural Context course with a study abroad experience in India. The fellowship was a perfect fit because The Banyan serves women with mental health issues, and I am a Psychiatric-Mental Health NP.”</h3>  </div>  <div class="section__actions"> <a class="btn" href="/live/profiles/18879-alison-ercole">Find out More<span class="lw_sr_only">Alison Ercole</span></a> </div>  </div>  </div>

What makes a successful Host Organization?

Penn Nursing engages with host organizations that we believe can provide excellent opportunities for our Fellows.

Characteristics we seek in a host organization

Commitment to improving life for vulnerable populations
Possession of a track record of effective mentoring and use of resources
Reputation for positive impact on the communities they serve
Ability to propose impactful projects with opportunities for meaningful collaboration by Fellows
Capacity to provide active supervision and logistical support

How to Become a Global Nursing Fellow

If you are a Penn Nursing Alum, whether you are interested in a specific opportunity, or you are more generally interested in becoming a Penn Global Nursing Fellow one day, we welcome your inquiries at globalhealth@nursing.upenn.edu.

At Penn Nursing, Global Health Affairs (GHA) works with Alumni Affairs to get the word out on current opportunities with selected organizations. When they see an opportunity that interests them, alumni should respond as quickly as possible, submitting required resumes and statements of interest, including relevant skills and availability. Materials will be shared with the host organization. Alumni applicants who the host organization considers to be good matches will be invited to an interview.

If a match is made…

Contracts / informal letter (email) agreements with the host organization and the Fellow are prepared by GHA, specifying the commitments each party is making, including:

Support offered by host organization
Stipends offered to Fellows and to Penn Nursing Mentor

Additional advice will be made available regarding travel, required visas (business visa/tourist visa) using CIBT Penn Portal, and the use of Penn resources like My Trips and International SOS.

When travel is possible, this period begins with a one-week trip by the Fellow(s) and Mentor so that the scope of the project and the on-the-ground situation can be better assessed.

The Mentor returns to the SON and the Fellow remains in country for the duration of the agreed upon period, contributing on a full-time basis to the agreed-upon activities. Note, if the Fellowship is deemed best undertaken remotely, the commitment will likely be less than full-time.

At a minimum, the Fellow(s) and Mentor meet remotely on a weekly basis for a discussion of progress, challenges, advice, and identification of needed resources for success.

It is recommended that Fellows maintain an activity log and/or reflections journal as a souvenir of the experience and reference for future talks and/or interviews.

Depending on the length of the commitment, the Fellow/Mentor may also communicate with Marketing and Communications for sharing of progress via Penn Nursing news / social media / website outlets.

Within one month of ending the Fellowship, Fellows should complete required documentation. Feedback on the Fellowship experience is welcome at the end of and throughout the engagement period.

Fellows are invited to be a resource for future Fellows and to share their experiences with the Penn Nursing community via interviews, social media, website, etc.

If the host organization and the Fellow wish to continue to collaborate beyond the Penn Global Nursing Fellowship period, it is the responsibility of those two parties to discuss the terms of that continued collaboration; e.g. a paid consultancy. That continued collaboration will no longer receive direct support from Penn Nursing.

Questions?

Please contact Penn Nursing’s Global Health Affairs office at globalhealth@nursing.upenn.edu if you need additional information.

Global Nursing Fellow Stories

Penn Nursing Collaborates with Partners In Health to Support Global Nursing

Penn’s Global Nursing Fellowship Program adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic, actively engaging remotely. Our collaboration with Partners In Health was documented in the June 2021 issue of LINKS magazine.
Download article

Penn Global Nursing Fellowship: Alumni

Program Background

Why become a Global Nurse Fellow?

Fellow Advantages

Benefits:

Commitment of a Global Nursing Fellow

Our People

What makes a successful Host Organization?

Characteristics we seek in a host organization

How to Become a Global Nursing Fellow

If a match is made…

Questions?

Global Nursing Fellow Stories

Katherine Buhikire

Stephanie Chu

Barbara Doyle

Alison Ercole, MSN, BA, CRNP, PMHNP-BC

Luca Koritsanszky

Lauren Welch

Penn Nursing Collaborates with Partners In Health to Support Global Nursing

Penn Global Nursing Fellowship: Alumni

Fellow Advantages

Benefits:

Commitment of a Global Nursing Fellow

Our People

Characteristics we seek in a host organization

If a match is made…

Fellowship Period

End of Fellowship

Questions?

Global Nursing Fellow Stories

Katherine Buhikire

Stephanie Chu

Barbara Doyle

Alison Ercole, MSN, BA, CRNP, PMHNP-BC

Luca Koritsanszky

Lauren Welch

Related Links

Penn Nursing Collaborates with Partners In Health to Support Global Nursing