Nursing Students Support Community Health
in the Glades
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Undergraduate and graduate Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing students recently participated in several outreach events in the Glades, offering health assessments and education to residents as part of the HRSA-funded Mobile Health Unit CARE grant and the SURF scholarship program. At the Glades Area Ministerial Association meeting, students conducted blood pressure screenings and shared heart health information with community members.
Nursing students also took part in the third annual Male Empowerment and Community Health Fair on June 7 in Pahokee, hosted by Boldin Community Impact. The event focused on men’s health in the rural Glades region, where chronic illnesses often appear earlier and access to preventive care remains limited. Students provided health education, conducted screenings for hypertension, diabetes, mental health and cognitive decline, and coordinated referrals, assisting approximately 200 residents.
| | Dean Duncan, Dr. Brumley Guest Speakers at Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton | Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing Dean Cameron Duncan and Dr. Alice Brumley, interim director of the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center at Florida Atlantic, were the guest speakers at the Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton meeting on June 6. Dean Duncan highlighted the college's exceptional nursing programs and national rankings, while Dr. Brumley delivered an engaging presentation on healthy brain aging, ways to promote cognitive longevity and recommendations for early screening and support. The Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton also recognized Dean Duncan with a certificate of appreciation. View Photos | | College of Nursing and Partners Honor Women in Military Service | |
In a moving tribute to the dedication, courage and sacrifices of women in uniform, Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, in partnership with FAU’s Canines Providing Assistance to Wounded Warriors (C-P.A.W.W.), FAU Athletics, the FAU Military and Veterans Student Success Center, and Veterans & Homefront Voices, and Vets & Allies Storytelling, hosted a commemorative Women Veterans Recognition Day celebration on June 12, at the Delray Genesis Club at Flagler Credit Union Stadium on the university’s Boca Raton campus. More than 100 attendees turned out to honor the legacy and ongoing service of women veterans.
Several women veterans spoke at the event, including Marilyn “Dee” Ray, Ph.D., a distinguished nurse scholar, retired United States Air Force Colonel, and professor emeritus, FAU Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing; and Candy Wilson, Ph.D., a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and associate dean of research and scholarship at FAU's Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. Read More
| College of Nursing Faculty, Students Honored at International Association for Human Caring Conference | | The International Association for Human Caring Annual Conference, held June 26 to 28 in Providence, Rhode Island, featured poster and podium presentations and workshops on various aspects of caring theory in education, research, practice and policy by College of Nursing faculty and students and other attendees. During the conference, Dr. Armiel Suriaga received the Boykin and Schoenhofer Nursing as Caring Award; graduate student Judyta Kociolek received the Parker, Barry, & King Community Caring Award; and graduate student Nicole Carty-Mullings received the Jean Watson Student Award. The event was hosted by the University of Rhode Island College of Nursing. | | |
A virtual Accelerated BSN track information session will be held on Tuesday, July 8 from 2 to 3 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, July 10, from 3 to 4 p.m. to learn more. Click here to register.
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An RN to BSN virtual information session will be held on Thursday, July 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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Curious about Graduate College? Take the next step in your educational journey! Florida Atlantic's Graduate College will host a virtual Graduate Information Session on Thursday, July 17, at 5 p.m. This session will include information regarding financial aid, test preparation and graduate admissions. Learn more and register here.
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Make your weekend work for you! Now through Saturday, July 26, you can book a virtual career coaching session every Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with FAU's Career Center. Whether you’re job hunting, updating your resume or just figuring out what’s next, the Career Center can help. View the latest jobs in Handshake.
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The College of Nursing's summer commencement will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 5 at 1 p.m. in the Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium, located in the Student Union on the Boca Raton campus.
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Registration is open for fall 2025. Take the time today and sign up for classes! Registering now will ensure you have a great semester. Classes start on Saturday, Aug. 16. View the FAU Registrar's calendar here. Note: Non-degree-seeking students are only allowed to register just prior to the start of each term.
| | Student Spotlight: Tracey Saint-Louis | | |
BSN to DNP College of Nursing student Tracey Saint-Louis noticed a widening gap in individuals who have access to medical care, which has led to an increased usage of hospital emergency rooms for conditions that can be treated at a community-based facility. The issue fueled her passion to return to Florida Atlantic University and pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, with a specialization as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
"I knew that by becoming a nurse I could help by offering wider access to health and preventative care," shared Saint-Louis. "A doctorate in nursing will allow me to serve more clients within the community." Read More
| | Preceptor Spotlight: Dr. Amanda Simionie | | |
Triple-time alumna of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing Amanda Simionie, BSN ’01, MSN ’13, DNP and FNP-C, ’22, has poured her heart and soul into caring for others as a nurse for over 25 years. Her health care journey began as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and then pivoted to nursing school, eventually becoming an ER nurse. Today, Dr. Simionie works at the Cleveland Clinic’s Family Health Center in Port St. Lucie where she still treats patients today. In addition to her Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) duties, she is also guiding and mentoring the next generation of nurses.
“I think it is important to give back however much you can,” shared Dr. Simionie. “I learn so much from my students since health care is always changing. It is a mutually beneficial relationship—they teach me, and I teach and mentor them.” Read More
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Join College of Nursing Dean Cameron Duncan and the Florida Atlantic University Alumni Association on Wednesday, July 23, at 6:30 p.m. at The Blue Dog in Boca Raton for this month's Florida Atlantic Foodies event! Enjoy a curated menu that brings an elevated casual New York dining experience to Boca. For more details and to register, click here.
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The Anne Boykin Institute for the Advancement of Caring in Nursing’s 2025 Summer Academy was held June 4 to 6 at the College of Nursing's Boca Raton campus, as well as online. The annual event generated thoughtful conversations about a holistic approach to nursing, and it attracted attendees from around the world, including the U.S., Canada, Slovenia, Philippines and South Korea. Read More
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Dr. Mary Ann Leavitt served as moderator for research abstract presentations at the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses 21st annual meeting in Savannah, Georgia on June 11. The event was dedicated to learning, collaboration and the advancement of heart failure care.
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Dr. Lisa Wiese presented at the National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence meeting in Connecticut on June 16. The topic of her presentation was, “An updated measure for investigating basic knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease in underserved rural settings."
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Several faculty shared their poster presentations on student success initiatives and intentional wellness at the Nursing Consortium of Florida conference, held June 27 and 28 at the TradeWinds Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach. The event brought together nurse leaders and mental health experts to discuss real-world strategies to strengthen emotional well-being.
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Apply now for the college’s new Advanced Holistic Practice & Nursing Coach Certificate for spring 2026. The application deadline is Nov. 15, 2025. The graduate certificate advances knowledge of the contemporary views of healing and holistic nursing practice.
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The College of Nursing’s Dermatology Nurse Practitioner (NP) Certificate Program is accepting fall 2025 applications through Friday, Aug. 8. The course prepares NPs with the knowledge and skills for specialization in general dermatology. The fall 2025 semester begins on Wednesday, Sept. 10.
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Free yoga sessions are available 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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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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Advance your education! The College of Nursing offers a range of professional development courses, all based in the caring philosophy of our college, that are designed to fit your schedule and your life. Learn more about our certificate course here.
| | Online Driver Risk Predictor Study | | |
Dr. Kelley Jackson, a research recruiter for the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, delivered an insightful presentation on, "Healthy Brain: Are You Fit to Drive study at Abbey Delray South on June 5. She described a new study that will develop, test and evaluate a five-minute self-administered, tablet-based screening test that can be done in a provider’s office with older adult drivers experiencing cognitive decline. The results will provide an objective, evidence-based prediction of passing an on-road driver evaluation for older adults without physically taking the on-road test. The decision to stop driving is one of the most difficult faced by older adults with cognitive impairment and their families.
The first phase of the study involves testing 150 older adults with and without cognitive impairment to determine the most accurate test items to predict driving performance accompanied by a same-day road test. In Phase 2, the determined tablet-based test items will be field tested in neurology and primary care office settings for its accuracy and ease of use in predicting on-road test results in 200 additional participants. If you are interested in participating, please contact Dr. Kelley Jackson at 954-691-3977 or Dr. Jo Ann Bamdas at 561-297-0502.
In addition, the lead principal investigator of the online driver risk predictor study Dr. Ruth Tappen, Christine E. Lynn Eminent Scholar and professor in the College of Nursing, was recently selected as the recipient of the 2025 Doris Schwartz Gerontological Nursing Research Award by the Gerontological Society of America (GSA). Dr. Tappen will be presented with the award at the GSA's annual Scientific Meeting in November.
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Clinic Director of the FAU/NCHA Community Health Centers, Dr. Monica Roundtree Cleckley, was featured in a South Florida Hospital News and Healthcare Report article about her vision to expand preventative care in underserved communities (July 1).
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Dr. David Newman, professor and statistician in the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, is a co-investigator of Florida Atlantic University’s $1 million grant from the Florida Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association to launch a new initiative: the Geriatric Emergency Department Pharmacologic Harm Prevention Project (GREAT PHARM). The study is highlighted in an Insurance Newsnet article (July 1).
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Dr. Katina Kennedy, adjunct faculty at Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and preceptor in the Nurse Practitioner program, was featured in an article published by USANews that focused on her commitment to public education and community advocacy (June 21).
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Interim Director of the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center Dr. Alice Brumley, a former Palm Health Foundation Scholar, discusses geriatric care in the article, "From Scholarship to Service: How a Nursing Scholar is Locally Advancing Memory and Wellness Care," on June 27. Read More
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