Dear NYPISNHS community,

As we move toward the holiday break and complete the fall 2025 semester, I am amazed at all of the great work that has happened in our School!  I’m continually inspired by the energy, commitment, and accomplishments across our NYP Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences (our new name)! This newsletter highlights the work, experiences, events and scholarship from our students, faculty and staff that continues to strengthen our community and prepare our students for impactful careers. Thank you for all you do to support our mission and one another. I hope you enjoy this semester’s updates.

Sincerely,

Kavita Dhanwada

When Amanda Tiso ’25MA started her Communication Sciences and Disorders graduate program in the fall of 2023, she knew exactly what she wanted: a career as a speech-language pathologist in a clinical setting. Determined to build strong clinical skills, she began with an optional summer internship at White Plains Hospital, gaining hands-on experience early on that set a solid foundation for what was to come.

She broadened her experience by going into the classroom through an externship in the Elmsford School District, working directly with elementary students and deepening her understanding of pediatric speech and language needs.

Her final externship culminated at the Elizabeth Seton Children’s Center, where she continued to refine her expertise working with medically fragile children, a population that ultimately shaped her professional path. Today, Amanda is working as a full-time speech-language pathologist at Elizabeth Seton, bringing her knowledge, compassion and dedication to her patients every day.

Reflecting on her experience, Amanda shared:

“My time at Iona and its partnerships allowed me to experience a variety of settings to expand my clinical knowledge and skills in practice. With the School’s connection to Elizabeth Seton, I was able to learn about the life-changing work that SLPs can do with medically fragile children in a collaborative environment, something I had already received academic training on through Iona’s IPE initiative. I was so fortunate to be given the opportunity to complete my clinical fellowship at ESCC and continue to work with this incredibly special and unique population post-grad!”

We couldn’t be prouder of Amanda for accomplishing a goal she’s worked toward for years. She is undoubtedly already making a difference in the lives of those she serves. Of course, we may be a little biased as this exceptional student also worked as Graduate Assistant in our office!

This summer, senior nursing student Hannah Griffin was selected as a Susan D. Flynn Oncology Nursing Fellow, joining one of the nation’s most selective and well-respected programs for aspiring oncology nurses.

The Flynn Fellowship, the largest privately funded program of its kind, invites only a limited number of nursing schools to participate. We received this honor two years ago, and Hannah became the first Iona nursing student to be selected for the program.

During her fellowship in pediatric oncology, Hannah gained extensive hands-on clinical experience, deepened her training in specialized and compassionate cancer care, and benefited from close mentorship by leading clinicians and researchers in the field.

Established by Fred Flynn in memory of his late wife, Susan D. Flynn, the program partners with top cancer hospitals and nursing schools across the country to prepare future nurses for meaningful careers in oncology. Once selected, Flynn Fellows join a lifelong network of professionals dedicated to advancing excellence in cancer care.

Congratulations to Hannah on this remarkable achievement and for representing NYPISNHS with compassion and professionalism!

Members of the Speech & Hearing Club and the ASL Club proudly represented the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences at the annual NYC Walk4Hearing on September 21 in Riverside Park. This national event unites communities to raise awareness about hearing loss and support individuals and families through advocacy, education, and resources.

The students raised over $2,000 for the Hearing Loss Association of America to help fund programs that expand awareness and access to vital services. In addition to participating in the walk, students volunteered with event registration and clean-up, demonstrating outstanding commitment to service and community.

We proudly celebrate our Speech and Hearing and ASL Club members for their compassion, leadership, and commitment to creating positive change in our community.

Over the past two years, NYPISNHS has partnered with Monsignor Scanlan High School in the Bronx to give seniors a head start on their future through our Bridge Program, where students take Iona courses and earn college credit.

In spring 2025, twenty-two students enrolled in Introduction to the Nursing Profession and visited the Bronxville campus throughout the semester. Their favorite part was the hands-on learning inside of our simulation labs, where they worked with our nursing faculty and saw classroom concepts come to life.

The impact has been remarkable: every student who completed the course is now attending college, majoring in nursing or another health-related field. Interest continues to grow, with 32 students set to enroll in the spring 2026 course.

Students in the Marriage and Family Therapy program wrapped up a successful fall semester, supported in large part by the strong Mentor/Mentee Program that helps new students feel welcomed, connected, and prepared.

This academic year, the MFT Department welcomed its largest and most diverse first-year cohort to date, with 27 students enrolled from across New York City, Westchester County, Upstate New York, Hawaii, Arizona and other states nationwide. To support those beginning their graduate journey, second-year students were paired with newcomers through the program’s peer mentorship initiative.

The Mentor/Mentee Program was introduced during Student Orientation on August 21, where faculty outlined program goals, expectations, and available resources. Through this mentorship, new students received guidance, shared experiences, and gained peer support as they navigated the academic, clinical, and personal demands of their first semester. Throughout the fall, mentors and mentees remained connected, fostering a strong sense of community, collaboration, and belonging within the program.

With a semester marked by meaningful connections, hands-on clinical learning, and professional growth, MFT students now look ahead to an exciting 2026.

The traditional BSN program reached an exciting milestone with the May 2025 cohort. Twenty-one students, the first group admitted as freshman nursing majors, achieved an outstanding 91% first-time NCLEX pass rate. This pass rate is above the national average! This remarkable accomplishment reflects the hard work, dedication, and talent of both our students and faculty, and underscores the program’s commitment to preparing future nurses for success.

This fall, the IPE Community Fellowship opportunity, a component of NYPISNHS’ IPE initiative, gave students a front-row seat to collaborative healthcare through two immersive experiences: the Calvary Hospital Interdisciplinary Team Meeting Fellowship and the Cabrini Nursing Home Shadow Care Team Meeting Fellowship. Both opportunities offered students an insightful, behind-the-scenes look at how interprofessional teams work together to provide high-quality patient-centered care.

IPE Community Fellows joined interdisciplinary care team meetings, watching healthcare providers come together to review cases, shape treatment plans, and make decisions as a team. The experience gave students a firsthand look at the communication, collaboration, and problem-solving that define effective patient care.

After each on-site experience, students met on virtual debriefing sessions with program facilitators and their peers, reflecting on their observations through the lens of the IPEC Core Competencies and the Quintuple Aim in Healthcare. These discussions helped them connect theory with practice.

Eight student fellows participated this semester - five from Nursing, two from Marriage and Family Therapy, and one from Mental Health Counseling, gaining invaluable experience in interprofessional collaboration.

In spring 2026, students will have the opportunity to apply for one of four IPE Community Fellowships, with applications opening in early January. These fellowships provide a unique window into interprofessional collaboration in healthcare, preparing students for team-based practice and distinguishing them as emerging professionals.

To get a better understanding of what it means to be professional nurse, the accelerated and senior nursing students attended the 2nd Annual NewYork-Presbyterian Professional Student RN Workshop at NYP-Westchester on October 20. This program, a collaboration between NYP and Iona Nursing, is designed to support students’ transition from classroom to clinical practice.

The workshop featured frontline nurses, managers, directors, legal counsel, human resources representatives, and professional development specialists, sharing insights on residency programs, legal and ethical issues, professionalism, the realities of being a new nurse, and tips for interviewing and applying for jobs.

We are grateful to NewYork-Presbyterian for their continued partnership and investment in our students’ learning, helping ensure they are well-prepared to enter the profession with confidence and skill.

In what made for a dynamic and insightful event, Andy Peters, Clinical Lecturer, Director of Undergraduate Social Work Practicum Education, hosted the Social Work department’s annual Areas of Practice Panel. This event provided social work students with the opportunity to engage and network with a diverse selection of guest panelists who are not only experienced social workers in their respective fields, but also proud alumni of Iona University. 

The event provided students with a strong understanding of the breadth of the social work profession, what they can achieve with their education and also highlighted the impact of Iona alumni and how their contributions make a difference in the world.  

This year’s event, held on October 13, featured distinguished alumni panelists representing a wide range of practice areas. In Early Childhood, Katie Baller ’16 shared her path, while Shayla Daley ’18 offered insight into the Legal sector. Colleen Ciriello ’14 discussed her work in Healthcare, and the Mental Health/Substance Abuse field was represented by Nicolette Loaiza ’19, Brynna Pawlows ’15, and Justin Pelligrino ’19. The panel also highlighted important work in Child Welfare and School Social Work through the experiences of Bailey Grant ’18, Ivelisse Jalil ’19, and Natasha Osamwonyi ’16. 

The panelists shared their experiences at Iona University and their professional journeys, highlighting internship sites, post-graduate education, how they entered their current practice areas, and the essential skills for success. After introductions, students rotated through breakout rooms for Q&A sessions, allowing them to learn more about each panelist’s background and seek guidance as they prepare to enter the social work field.

“It was very positive. There wasn’t a single breakout room empty during the entire event,” Professor Peters said. “It’s a starting point for relationships between students and alumni. They had in-depth conversations with the panelists and can now continue building those connections as they prepare for jobs and navigate entering the field.”

Looking ahead, Professor Peters noted that the event may open the door to mentorship opportunities. “Several panelists offered informal mentoring, which was wonderful to see,” he said. “It’s something we can explore further. Social work offers so many career paths, and we want to ensure our students have every opportunity to discover what the field has to offer.”

The Nursing Department’s Master of Science in Nursing programs have earned national accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for five years, the maximum term granted for an initial review.

The successful site visit in March 2025 highlighted the strength and quality of the two Masters program. With this achievement, both our baccalaureate and master’s nursing programs are now fully accredited, reflecting our ongoing commitment to excellence in nursing education.

Iona students are putting their skills and compassion to work at NewYork-Presbyterian’s new outpatient facility, The One, in White Plains. As Digital Patient Engagement and Wayfinding Volunteers, they assist patients with the online portal, help them locate healthcare providers, and provide support during stressful moments.

The impact is already evident and our students have quickly discovered that the learning goes both ways. Mental Health Counseling student Laura Guarascio shared, “Helping patients here has taught me how customer service in healthcare is different. Patients are often anxious, so I’m learning to adjust my approach and communicate with care.”

Marriage and Family Therapy student Vinni Sabnani added, “I hope students can lead wellness and mindfulness sessions in the future, supporting both staff well-being and community building.”

Through this hands-on experience, Iona health science students are gaining valuable insight into healthcare delivery, strengthening professional skills, and making a difference for both patients and staff, while discovering what it truly means to support patients in a clinical setting.

This fall, our School strengthened its long-standing commitment to serving the community by partnering with The Sharing Shelf in Port Chester for two urgently needed donation drives. The Sharing Shelf plays a crucial role in supporting children and young adults across Westchester County by supplying seasonally appropriate, essential clothing items to families who may otherwise go without. Our students, staff, and faculty responded with enthusiasm and generosity, demonstrating what collective action and community engagement can accomplish.

In October, we launched a sock drive, collecting an essential yet often overlooked item for families in need. Building on the momentum, we teamed up again in November for a coat drive, helping our neighbors stay warm as temperatures began to fall.

But the spirit of giving went even deeper this fall, as student members of the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity hosted a food drive for Hope Community Services in New Rochelle, supporting families ahead of the holiday season. At the same time, the Student Occupational Therapy Association led a toy drive for Elizabeth Seton Children’s Center, bringing joy and comfort to children receiving care.

Across all these efforts, our NYPISNHS community showed what civic engagement truly looks like, meeting essential needs, uplifting others, and making a meaningful difference in our little corner of the world.

The Social Work Department celebrated a milestone on September 18 with a successful first Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) site visit for its new Master of Science in Social Work program at Iona University’s Bronxville campus.

During the visit, an experienced CSWE site reviewer met with Social Work faculty and University administrators to evaluate the program’s structure and curriculum. This important step ensures that the MSSW program meets the standard for high-quality, competency-based social work education. The site reviewer said she was impressed by the program’s curriculum and thoughtful approach, which highlighted the department’s commitment to preparing skilled, compassionate social work professionals.

This November, the SNHS Student Health Fair drew its largest crowd ever! It was an exciting sign of growing enthusiasm for student-led health education and community wellness, and our growing student population. The Kelly Center for Health Sciences was filled with activity as students from across our programs showcased their skills, shared knowledge, and engaged attendees in meaningful conversations about health.

At the event, Occupational Therapy students offered Grip Strength Testing, giving participants a “hands-on” look at functional health. Nursing students educated the visitors with educational posters and provided blood pressure screenings, helping all to better understand their cardiovascular health. Communication Sciences and Disorders students performed off-site hearing screenings supporting early detection and awareness.

The Health and Wellness students led interactive information sessions on healthy sleep habits and nutrition, empowering attendees with practical strategies for daily well-being. The Health Fair also hosted Aneudy Arvelo, a representative from the National Marrow Donor Program, who shared how students could become donors or ambassadors, and help spread the word about the life-saving importance of marrow and stem cell donation.

Additional highlights included a delicious Occupational Therapy Bake Sale, Interprofessional Education (IPE) activities, and a tabling session with Sigma Theta Tau.

This year’s fair was a standout success thanks to the dedication, professionalism, and enthusiasm of our students. Their preparation and passion were evident at every station, and we are incredibly proud of the impact they continue to make, both on campus and in the broader community.

We can’t wait to see you all at the spring Health Fair!

The Symposium on Health and Well-Being continues to bring together students, faculty, community members, and experts for meaningful discussions on the evolving landscape of healthcare and overall well-being.

This year’s first presentation, Mind Over Matter: Navigating Mental Wellness in a Changing World, held on October 9, drew our largest audience yet! The event featured Leonardo V. Lopez, M.D., Dora Kanellopoulos, Ph.D., Judith Cukor, Ph.D., and Randall Martin, Ph.D., who shared practical strategies for managing stress and emotional fatigue, particularly among healthcare providers. They guided participants through calming exercises, discussed how NYP supports its employees, and emphasized the importance of giving oneself permission to pause and recharge.

The November 13 presentation, Collaboration in Complex Care: Interprofessional Strategies for Long-Term and Palliative Support, showcased how diverse care teams across NewYork-Presbyterian work together to deliver compassionate, coordinated care for patients facing chronic or terminal illness. Panelists Ella Guy, NP-BC; Katherine Cocca-Bates, NP; Dana Hazzard, LMSW; Rev. Henry McLauren; LaToya Sealy, FNP-BC, ACHPN-C; and Jolie Sutter, LCSW-R walked attendees through two real-world case studies, offering insight into the patient experience as well as the emotional journeys that providers navigate alongside them. The discussion highlighted empathy, communication, and interdisciplinary support as essential pillars of effective, patient-centered care.

The Symposium will have two presentations in the spring semester, fostering conversations that bridge academic learning with real-world practice and well-being.

This fall, NYPISNHS hosted three Faculty Scholars Showcases, highlighting innovative research and projects of faculty across the various disciplines in our School.

The first showcase, held September 16, featured Dr. Adele Stanley, who presented her research on “Electronic Cigarette Use and Anxiety Among College Students”. This work was published in the Journal of Addictions Nursing in 2024 and later shared at the American Psychiatric Nurses Association National Conference in New Orleans on October 17, 2025.

Dr. Stanley highlighted a cyclical relationship in student vaping behavior. She noted that many students turned to vaping as a way to ease anxiety, yet the nicotine in e-cigarettes was simultaneously exacerbating their anxiety, creating a self-reinforcing cycle. Her findings provide critical insight into the mental health challenges facing college students and underscore the importance of targeted interventions to address both anxiety and substance use.

The second showcase, on October 16, highlighted the inaugural Interprofessional Education (IPE) projects funded as seed grants by the NYPISNHS Dean’s Office. Dr. Laurie Olson and Dr. Nancy Vidal-Finnerty presented together on “Interprofessional Dysphagia Care: Building Collaborative Models to Support Safe and Meaningful Mealtime Participation.” Dr. Michelle Veyvoda and Dr. Michael Higgins presented “Amplifying Undergraduate Education: A Pilot Framework for Interdisciplinary Aural Rehab Classroom and Clinical Instruction.” In both presentations, faculty emphasized the value of interprofessional collaboration and how it supports holistic patient care. When clinicians work as a team, patients benefit from the perspectives of each discipline as well as the collective expertise of the group. The session gave attendees a chance to understand the distinct roles within the team and to see how shared insights and collaboration can lead to improved outcomes.

On November 19, Dr. Brittany Lynch presented “Establishing a Baseline: What Student Voices Reveal About the Shift from Diversity to Anti-Racism in Social Work Education. In her talk, Dr. Lynch discussed the importance of thoughtfully addressing systemic racism in social work education. She noted that only briefly covering topics related to diversity on a superficial level can actually limit students’ overall professional development and understanding by not delving deeper into the material. Dr. Lynch also spoke to the ways these issues can be especially relevant for students of color, who can encounter such challenges in their daily lives. She said it was important to meet students where they are, acknowledge the varying levels of awareness and experience in students, as well as to create learning opportunities that help all students engage more deeply with inclusive and equity-focused, anti-racist practice.

The Faculty Scholars Showcases reflect our School’s commitment to faculty scholarship, interprofessional collaboration, and advancing education and practice across health disciplines. There will be more presentations over the course of the spring semester and we hope that you will join us!

The Marriage and Family Therapy Department’s Associate Professor & Assistant Program Director, Dr. Yaliu He, recently co-authored a new book titled Integrative Systemic Supervision: Training Therapists to Work with Individuals, Couples, and Families.   

Published by the Family Institute Series and now available on Amazon, the book provides a comprehensive framework for applying Integrative Systemic Therapy (IST) principles to clinical supervision and training. It addresses the challenges therapists often face when integrating multiple therapeutic models and offers practical guidance for fostering integrative skills in professional practice. 

Dr. He notes that in today’s clinical landscape, relying on a single therapeutic model is no longer enough. This book serves as a theory-based guide for supervisors to help therapists unite with different methods and develop integrative approaches. 

The book is designed not only for those in academic settings, but also for professionals in social work, psychology, marriage and family therapy, and related fields. It highlights how various theories can be applied in real-world clinical settings and offers tools to support effective decision-making and ongoing professional development. 

“This was a group effort, and we all wanted to help people understand this approach,” Dr. He said, “It is my first book, and I feel very accomplished. I believe it will be beneficial for supervisors who are interested in integrating theories, and for therapists who want to practice different approaches.” 

Dr. Bridget Messina, DNP, MSN, RN-C, CHSE, reached an exciting milestone recently as she earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. For her scholarly project, Dr. Messina focused her efforts on an important clinical challenge: preventing pressure injuries in pediatric long-term care. By implementing the SSKIN bundle and closely evaluating its impact, she demonstrated how evidence-based interventions can strengthen patient outcomes and protect the skin integrity of some of the most vulnerable patients.

Reflecting on her accomplishment, Dr. Messina described completing her DNP as “an incredibly enriching experience, both personally and professionally.” After degree completion, Dr. Messina is eager to pay it forward, mentoring future DNP students and continuing to expand her contributions to nursing research, scholarship, and education.

Congratulations to Dr. Messina on this remarkable achievement!

The NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences congratulates Dr. Lori Hoepner, Clinical Lecturer in Health and Wellness, for her co-authorship of a research study published in JAMA Neurology titled “Brain Abnormalities in Children Exposed Prenatally to the Pesticide Chlorpyrifos.”

In partnership with researchers from Columbia University and UCLA, Dr. Hoepner contributed to a 25-year longitudinal study exploring the lasting neurological effects of prenatal exposure to the pesticide, chlorpyrifos (CPF). Utilizing brain imaging technology, the team identified significant structural and metabolic differences associated with decreased motor skills and altered brain function in affected children. The authors suggest these findings deepen our understanding of how early environmental exposures shape long-term health.

The full article can be accessed through JAMA Neurology. 

Congratulations to Dr. Kavita Dhanwada on being recognized for her outstanding leadership and innovation in higher education! 

Dr. Dhanwada was recently named one of City & State New York’s “2025 Trailblazers in Higher Education”, honoring influential leaders who are transforming the state’s academic landscape. She was also selected by PoliticsNY and amNY as one of the “2025 Power Players in Education,” which highlights visionary professionals shaping the future of learning across New York State. 

Since becoming Founding Dean in 2022, Dr. Dhanwada has overseen the growth of the School of Nursing & Health Sciences through the development of new undergraduate and graduate programs, expansion of partnerships, and the advancement of innovative approaches to preparing the next generation of health-care professionals. 

These prestigious recognitions celebrate Dr. Dhanwada’s continued commitment to excellence in higher education and her leadership in fostering meaningful change within health sciences and beyond. 

Over the summer, Shery Watson, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE, Director of Nursing and Associate Dean, presented at the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Research Congress in Seattle, Washington.

Her presentation, Full Integration of Interprofessional Education in a Prelicensure BSN Program, highlighted the innovative ways Iona’s undergraduate nursing curriculum weaves interprofessional education and collaborative practice into the last four semesters of the program. Dr. Watson shared compelling data demonstrating the measurable impact of these interprofessional learning activities on students’ readiness for real-world practice, while underscoring opportunities for continued growth, enhancement, and innovation.

Through a combination of classroom learning, high-fidelity simulation, and hands-on clinical experiences, Iona BSN nursing students gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to excel in today’s team-based healthcare environment.

Associate Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Dr. Dorothy Leone, has authored a new book called  Everyone is a Consultant: How to Build a Business Relationship That’s Personal, now available on Amazon.

Dr. Leone reveals that whether you are a coach, entrepreneur, or professional, you are already a consultant. The most effective consultants don’t sell ideas, rather she asserts, they build trust through authentic, human connection.

Drawing on decades of experience, Dr. Leone shows how active listening, empathy, and personal rapport can transform professional interactions. With reflection exercises, real-life examples, and practical tools, the book helps readers communicate with intention, uncover needs, and foster lasting relationships.

At this year’s New York State Occupational Therapy Association Conference in Queensbury, NY, Dr. Gary Grimaldi, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, presented a collaborative poster with Dr. Gioia Ciani, Chair of the Yeshiva University OT Program, titled “Perspectives of Individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis on Driving While Living with a Debilitating Disease.”

The project explores the lived experiences of people with ALS as they navigate decisions about driving, a key aspect of independence and quality of life. This ongoing research aims to deepen understanding of the emotional, physical, and social factors that shape these experiences and inform occupational therapy practice to better support clients facing progressive neurological conditions.

Congratulations to Christy Solorio, Ph.D., MS, RN, CNE, CPN, Assistant Professor of Nursing and Senior Presidential Fellow for the Gabelli Center for Teaching and Learning, on the publication of an op-ed co-authored by all of the 2024 GCTL Presidential Fellows, “Who’s Afraid of AI? Educators Must Embrace Technology.” The piece was featured across 13 outlets in the USA Today online network, including the Poughkeepsie Journal. 

In the article, Solorio and her colleagues highlight how artificial intelligence can be a transformative force in education. They encourage educators to approach emerging technologies with curiosity and creativity, emphasizing that when used responsibly, AI can strengthen teaching, expand learning opportunities, and elevate classroom experiences.

Learn More

Dr. Jennifer Gerometta, Associate Professor in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department, has launched a new podcast with public speaking coach, Shannon Nothstine, titled Connected with Jen and Shannon. The show features leaders in neuroscience, spirituality, philosophy, and the arts sharing stories and strategies for authentic human connection.

Listen to Connected with Jen and Shannon on YouTube and Apple Podcasts.

This October, Iona Occupational Therapy alumna and adjunct instructor Alyson Alyward, along with second-year OT student Eunice Anderson, presented their poster, “The Power of a Shared Meal: Interprofessional Community Engagement to Deepen Student Understanding of Dysphagia and Mealtime Participation,” at the NYSOTA Conference.

Their presentation highlighted a pilot interprofessional service-learning project that united students from the Communication Sciences and Disorders and Occupational Therapy programs. Working together at Willow Towers Assisted Living Facility in New Rochelle, student teams supported older adults with dysphagia, gaining valuable insight into mealtime participation, swallowing disorders, and the importance of collaborative care.

The project was co-developed by two faculty leaders in the health sciences, Dr. Laurie Olson, OT Program Director and Professor, and Dr. Nancy Vidal-Finnerty, Associate Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders, through an IPE Seed Grant from the NYPISNHS Dean’s Office. Graduate students from both programs learned alongside one another throughout the spring 2025 semester, building skills, confidence, and interprofessional understanding.

Drawing on this shared experience, Alyson and Eunice crafted a conference proposal and developed a compelling poster presentation that captured the lessons and impact of this unique community-engaged initiative.

This project not only strengthened interprofessional learning and deepened students’ clinical knowledge, but also fostered meaningful connections with the community. Building on its success, the initiative will continue in spring 2026 with a new student cohort, with plans to pursue IRB approval for further study.

As an added highlight, Alyson and Eunice had the chance to meet NYSOTA President Dr. Beth Chiarello, who visited their poster to learn more about their work - a memorable moment captured in the photo above.

Congratulations to Nursing Assistant Professor Adele K. Stanley, Ph.D., MSN, RN, FNP-BC, CNE on successfully earning her Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) credential!

This prestigious national certification, awarded by the National League for Nursing, recognizes exceptional skill in academic nursing education and affirms Dr. Stanley’s expertise in teaching, learning, and curriculum design.

Dr. Stanley’s accomplishment highlights her commitment to preparing the next generation of nurses for excellence in patient care. We are incredibly proud to celebrate this milestone with her!

As the fall semester comes to a close at the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing and Health Sciences, we celebrate a season filled with growth, innovation, and community spirit. This fall, we celebrated a 36% increase in enrollment, thanks in large part to the growth of our undergraduate Nursing, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling programs, as well as the exciting expansion of our Health and Wellness major.

We were delighted to welcome new faculty, staff, and the director of our upcoming Doctor of Physical Therapy program, while our new residence hall opened its doors to more than 40 students, bringing fresh energy to the Bronxville campus. Across all programs, our faculty continue to inspire with creative approaches, thoughtfully incorporating AI and emerging technologies into teaching and research.

This progress is the result of shared dedication and collective effort. Thank you to everyone who contributes to the strength and success of SNHS each day. Your work is shaping the future of our School and building a legacy that will last for years to come.