Congratulations, 2025 College of Nursing White Coat Recipients! | | |
Florida Atlantic’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing held its annual White Coat Ceremony at the Carole and Barry Kaye Auditorium in Boca Raton on March 20. This time-honored tradition welcomed over 120 first-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing students into the profession as they received their white coats for the first time, marking their commitment to compassion, caring and professionalism in nursing.
The program included remarks from university leaders, including Florida Atlantic University President Adam Hasner, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Russ Ivy, College of Nursing Dean Cameron Duncan and keynote speaker Hank Drummond, senior vice president and chief clinical officer, Cross Country Healthcare. Read More
Please consider joining the College of Nursing in supporting our talented and hard-working students. Give Here
Thank you to our generous sponsors:
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Platinum Sponsors
Lynn Family Enterprises - Christine E. Lynn
Gold Sponsors
Allegiance Home Health – Rosie Inguanzo-Martin and Joseph L. Martin, III
The Charles and Elsie Gols Charitable Foundation, Inc. - Helen Ballerano
George Snow Scholarship Fund, Inc. - Tim Snow
VITAS Healthcare
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Silver Sponsors
The Reiling Family Foundation - Cindy Krebsbach
Palm Beach Health Network
Margaret Mary Shuff
The Camiccia-Arnautou Charitable Foundation, Inc. - Bill T. Smith, Jr.
| | Healthy Aging Presentation at Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce Event | | Dr. Alice Brumley, interim director of the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center, delivered the keynote address at the South Healthcare Advocacy Network (S.H.A.N.) meeting on March 19, hosted by the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce. She shared insights on memory disorders and healthy aging, highlighting nutrition, physical activity and social connections for brain health. Dean Cameron Duncan opened the presentation with an overview of the College of Nursing's academic programs and community clinics. | | Generations ‘Sync’ Up in Rural ‘Glades’ to Boost Health Tech Use | | Dr. Lisa Ann Kirk Wiese, an associate professor at Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, led a pioneering study to bridge the digital divide among older adults in rural communities. By partnering with high school students and faith-based health educators, her research explored how wearable technology, like smartwatches, can support healthy aging. The findings highlight the power of intergenerational collaboration in improving digital health literacy and engagement. Read More | | Deep Dive: Family Caregivers’ Journeys Navigating Alcohol Use Disorder | | |
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing conducted a qualitative study exploring the lived experiences of family caregivers supporting relatives with alcohol use disorder (AUD). The study, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, highlights the emotional, social and psychological toll on caregivers, who often lack adequate resources and support.
Led by Dr. Clarene E. Brown-King, with co-authors Drs. Beth Pratt, Kyndall Mammah and Wanda Morancy, the research identified key themes that illustrate the struggles, coping mechanisms and resilience of caregivers. The findings underscore the need for health care professionals, support organizations and policymakers to develop tailored interventions that address the unique challenges faced by these caregivers. Read More
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Congratulations to Wipawee Ponkaew for successfully defending her dissertation, "The Meaning of Spiritual Practices for Caregivers of Children With Cancer in Thailand: A Heideggerian Phenomenological Study," on March 12.
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The Schmidt College of Science will host its annual Pre-Health Professions Week and Graduate and Professional School Fair, Monday, March 31 to Thursday, April 3. All events are open to Florida Atlantic undergraduate and graduate students, including meeting with admission representatives from various health-related graduate and professional programs. Learn More
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Spring semester ends on Wednesday, April 30. Don't forget! Register early to ensure you secure the classes you want. Register now for Summer Intersession, Summer and Fall 2025. Learn More
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Christina Dimeo (BSN), Kerry-Ann Dixon (Ph.D.) and alumna Raquel Panos are among Florida Atlantic University students recognized for their published work. The nursing students received the Provost’s Certificate of Recognition for Publishing during the 10th annual Student Publication Ceremony on March 19. Drs. Subhosit Ray and Debarshi Datta were also honored for their joint research article. Read More
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Congratulations to the presenters for the First Annual Boykin-Shaw Excellence in Nursing Dissertation Award Competition held on March 27. Ph.D. students Vanessa Duncan, Tammy Depascale and Lea Crestodina described their research aimed at improving health care delivery for various conditions. The event highlighted outstanding scholarship in nursing. The competition winner, Tammy Depascale, will receive a $1,000 award, gifted by Dr. Eric Shaw.
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Nursing students Baudelaire Duvert and Shanice Clayton attended the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Student Policy Summit March 30 - 31 in Washington, D.C. Students who participated in the Summit were immersed in didactic program sessions focused on the federal policy process and nursing’s role in professional advocacy.
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Six nursing students discussed their research during the Honors Thesis Presentation at the College of Nursing on April 1, prior to their participation in the poster sessions at the OURI 15th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium on Friday, April 4, 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. The Symposium will be held in the Schmidt Family Complex. Congratulations to students Macie Intoppa, Erin McBroom, Christina DiMeo, Laura Vanderschuur, Helen Grammen and Hannah Sherman for their presentations.
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A virtual Accelerated BSN track information session will be held on Tuesday, April 8 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. This limited-access, four-semester program is a fast track to a professional nursing career. Sign up for the event here.
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Our Freshman Direct Admit track is a full-time, four-year program for currently enrolled high school seniors who are interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Join the virtual information session on Thursday, April 10, from 3 to 4 p.m. to learn more. Click here to register.
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The Sigma Iota Xi at-Large Chapter has extended the deadline for submitting EBP and research grant proposals for Spring 2025. The new deadline is Friday, April 4, at 5 p.m. For details, email asuriaga2016@health.fau.edu. The showcase will take place on Wednesday, April 16, from 2 to 5 p.m. in the college's atrium. The event is open to all Sigma chapter members, students, faculty and staff. Participants will present their research and studies prior to an award presentation for best posters.
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An RN to BSN track virtual information session will be held on Thursday, April 17, at 2 p.m. This track is for applicants who have completed a diploma or associate's degree nursing program at an ACEN-accredited institution, possess an unencumbered RN license in the state of residence and seek to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Click here to register.
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Florida Atlantic's Graduate College will host a virtual Graduate Information Session on Thursday, April 17, at 5 p.m. This session will include information regarding financial aid, test preparation and graduate admissions. Learn more and register for the event here.
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Enrolled Florida Atlantic College of Nursing DNP and Ph.D. students are invited to attend monthly Doctoral Café Zoom meetings, held on the fourth Tuesday of every month. Join the Tuesday, April 22 meeting at 6 p.m. here.
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The College of Nursing will celebrate the accomplishments of its graduating Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students at the Spring 2025 Pinning Ceremony on Friday, May 2, at 10 a.m., in the College of Nursing auditorium, Boca Raton campus. The College of Nursing commencement ceremony will take place on Friday, May 2, at 1 p.m., in the Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium, Student Union, Boca Raton campus.
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Visit FAU's Career Center to get free headshots, professional clothing to dress for success, guidance on selecting a major, resume reviews to make your application shine and more! Be sure to follow the center on Instagram for updates on events, services and career tips. You can also check out the latest hot jobs in Handshake.
| | Alumna Spotlight: Lekeisha Fiffie '23, '24 | | |
Alumna Lekeisha Fiffie MSN ’23, DNP ’24, has over 18 years of experience working in psychiatric and addiction recovery settings. Her career began in correctional, medical-surgical, geriatric and addiction recovery settings, where she gained extensive hands-on learning opportunities.
After both personal and professional experiences that highlighted the need for empathetic and comprehensive psychiatric care, Fiffie chose to specialize in psychiatric and addiction recovery nursing, with a focus on improving patient engagement and adherence to mental health treatments. She incorporates caring science principles into her psychiatric care, emphasizing compassion, empathy and holistic well-being. Read More
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The Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing is excited to host a Spring Reception Alumni Reunion on Thursday, April 3, from 5 to 7 p.m., in the college Atrium on the Boca Raton campus. The event will feature guest speakers and networking opportunities.
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A mammovan will be on the Boca Raton campus Monday, April 7, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Kaye loading dock (parking lot behind Live Oak). This event is for annual screening mammograms which are a covered service for patients ages 40 and over. Make an appointment and learn more here.
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Join the next AI/ML Club meeting on Thursday, April 10, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the College of Nursing Building, Room 202 or on Zoom. William McConnell, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology at Florida Atlantic University, will speak on the topic of creative teaching and learning methods. The club is open to all Florida Atlantic faculty, staff and students.
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Come support a great cause for the Share Your Caring Heart Campaign on Sunday, April 27, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Cove Brewery in Deerfield Beach. Enjoy live music, great food, giveaways and more! All proceeds will fund caregiver programs and day care center scholarships for Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center participants who are in financial need. Learn More
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Together with Florida Atlantic University and the Sigma Iota Xi at-Large Chapter, the Anne Boykin Institute for the Advancement of Caring in Nursing hosted an Earth Caring international webinar on March 26. More than 300 participants from around the world joined the session, which addressed the global challenges in nursing with care, compassion and a commitment to healing our shared home, Earth.
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The Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing represented Florida Atlantic at HCA Florida Education Fairs on March 21, 24 and 28, alongside eight other universities. These education fairs are held quarterly and are open to both staff and the community. HCA staff members, including aspiring and experienced Registered Nurses, attended the events to learn more about nursing programs and post-graduate and professional development certificates.
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Assistant Dean for Strategic Affairs and Public Engagement Suzanne Ffolkes joined Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick for her annual EmpowHER Awards Ceremony honoring women in STEM, leadership, arts and culture, humanitarian efforts and sports, and the men who support them. The event was held on March 29 in Fort Lauderdale.
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Participants are needed for a peer-to-peer study on self-care for diabetes among Afro-Caribbean adults 18 years or older who can commit to a one-hour, virtual focus group. For details, contact Dr. Raquel Brown at 561-297-2383 or rbrown2014@health.fau.edu.
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Join free yoga sessions every Tuesday at noon in the College of Nursing building, Room 115, Boca Raton campus. Open to all Florida Atlantic students, faculty and staff.
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Register for the Anne Boykin Institute's 2025 Summer Academy taking place June 4-6, both in-person and online. This year's theme is "Caring: Essential Knowledge for Nursing Practice." Register Now
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Interested in contributing to the success of our students? Become an NP preceptor. To view the preceptor handbook and the guidelines for applying for participation points, click here. Questions? Contact Charles Owens at cowens11@health.fau.edu.
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Elaine J. Wold, longtime Boca Raton philanthropist and friend of Florida Atlantic University, including the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, passed away at the age of 97. Wold served as an honorary ambassador for the Caring Hearts Auxiliary’s Keep Memories Alive Walk at the Boca Town Center in support of the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center.
| | Candy Wilson, Ph.D., Named Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship | | |
Dr. Candy Wilson has been appointed Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship at Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing effective April 1, 2025. Previously, Dr. Wilson served in an interim capacity and through her leadership, the Office of Nursing Research and Scholarship (ONRS) has effectively supported the innovative research and scholarly pursuits of our faculty and students.
Dr. Wilson is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and a dedicated women’s health nurse practitioner with over 30 years of service. Throughout her distinguished military career, she secured over $18 million in federal research funding and authored 53 peer-reviewed publications. Her research has influenced the U.S. Congress, Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and other federal leaders. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Western Kentucky University in 1992, a Master’s in Nursing from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2000, a Master’s in Health Science from Duke University in 2019, and a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado at Denver Health Sciences Center in 2006.
After serving honorably in the active-duty U.S. Air Force, Dr. Wilson retired in 2022. Focusing on overseas deployments, she provided women’s health care in Afghanistan villages for over 3,000 women and children in seven villages living in austere conditions.
| | Dr. Janell Wildgoose-Carroll, director of research, scholarship and sponsored programs and Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research (FNINR) board member, connected with other members during a meeting in Houston, Texas last month. The board also discussed strategic planning efforts and establishing one-year goals. | | |
Dr. Eric Malz joined the FAU/NCHA Community Health Center as the new Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in March. Dr. Malz has more than 24 years of experience as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner working in inpatient, outpatient, nursing home and state hospital settings. As a hospital administrator, he oversaw a Community Mental Health Center. In addition, he has precepted nurse practitioner students from Columbia University and New York University.
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Dr. Monica Roundtree Cleckley successfully passed the ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certification test. She is the clinic director of the FAU/NCHA Community Health Center in West Palm Beach.
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Dr. Caryn Andrews, MSN '96, recently joined the college as an affiliate faculty member. As part of this appointment, Dr. Andrews will spend her sabbatical at the college. Currently, she is a lecturer at Hadassah School of Nursing at the Faculty of Medicine of Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Her research includes the multicultural/multilingual study of cancer screening and modesty, NP integration in Israel, and spiritual care of APNs in Israel and the world.
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Dr. Anita Noble is on sabbatical at the College of Nursing. Dr. Noble is a senior lecturer (clinical) at the Henrietta Szold Department of Nursing, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine and Hebrew University. Her areas of research are multiculturalism/cultural competence, lactation and women's health. She has presented her research and been an invited lecturer in the United States, Israel, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the Philippines and Australia.
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Assistant Professor in Data Science Dr. Debarshi Datta presented the "Creating a Data Science Project Using All of Us Workbench" project at the second Data Engineering for Precision Medicine pre-hackathon workshop in Gangal Hall on Feb. 21. The research design competition focused on health care data, where participants leveraged AI, machine learning and data science to advance innovation in precision medicine.
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Associate Professor Dr. Lisa Wiese will present "NIH and Other Funding for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Topics in Health and Aging" on Thursday, April 17 during the Capstone Lunch & Learn event for the Early Career Academy, hosted by Florida Atlantic's Division of Research.
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Dr. Candy Wilson’s journey from the U.S. Air Force to groundbreaking research on military women’s health is featured in the University of Tennessee’s College of Nursing. As Associate Dean for Nursing Research and Scholarship at the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, she continues to shape research initiatives and mentor future nurses.
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Dr. Mary Ann Leavitt joined Episode 37 of the Heart360° podcast by the American Heart Association, discussing advancing nurse-led research, scholarly inquiry and quality improvement research. Hosted by moderator Sarah D. Williams, the series leverages the expertise of experienced nurse researchers to inspire and educate nurses on engaging with research and scholarly inquiry.
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