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March 2023

2023 'Transforming Care' Magazine Published

FAU's Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing recently released its annual Transforming Care magazine. The magazine's theme of "Compassion, Care, Commitment" reflects the enduring spirit and dedication of the College's talented faculty, staff and students, its continued pursuit of excellence in education, and how it's helping to provide much-needed health care services for our growing South Florida community.


Please enjoy reading the online edition of the 2023 Transforming Care magazine here.

FAU Study First to Show Statewide

Cannabis-related Deaths in Florida

Researchers from FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing are the first to conduct a statewide analysis of deaths in Florida associated with cannabis and synthetic cannabis use, utilizing data from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement from 2014 to 2020. The study examined sociodemographic characteristics, health-related conditions, the presence of other substances, and the type of death associated with the use of these substances.


Results, published in the Journal of Nursing Scholarship, show that 386 people died as a result of cannabis use; of these, 258 cases were caused by synthetic cannabis. Nearly 65 percent of these cases involved synthetic cannabis as the only drug involved.


“Synthetic cannabinoids are part of the new psychoactive substances that are two to 100 times more potent than THC, the main psychoactive compound in marijuana,” said Armiel Suriaga, Ph.D., senior author and an assistant professor in FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. “Synthetic cannabinoids are manufactured chemicals sprayed onto dried, shredded leaves or plant materials that mimic the effect of cannabis, but their actual effects are unpredictable, harmful and deadly.” Read More

FAU College of Nursing to Host 2023

White Coat Ceremony

FAU's Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing will host its annual White Coat Ceremony on Thursday, March 16, at 6 p.m., at the Carole and Barry Kaye Auditorium, 777 Glades Road, on the Boca Raton campus.


Almost 300 members of the College's Bachelor of Science in Nursing students will receive their first white coats at the event to mark their entry into the nursing profession. The white coat confirms their commitment to compassion, humanism and professionalism within the field. The event program will include a keynote address delivered by FAU Professor Emeritus Jill E. Winland-Brown, Ed.D., FNP-BC, FAANP.


Please consider investing in the next generation of nursing students. To donate, visit fauf.fau.edu/nursing-white-coats.

Student News

Call for abstracts! Submit all abstracts (do not send posters yet) for Sigma Iota Xi at-Large Chapter's 2023 Research Day to [email protected] by 5 p.m. on March 3. Follow this format on the subject line of your email submission: Last Name _First Name_ SIGMA_ Abstract title. Research Day will take place on Wednesday, April 19, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the College's atrium. 

Submit your evidence-based practice scholarship proposals now! Sigma Iota Xi at-Large Chapter is awarding two proposals; one for EBP and one for research, each with a $1,000 award. The deadline for submission is March 30, at 11:59 p.m. Email applications to Dr. Rebecca Koszalinski at [email protected].

FAU's Writing Across the Curriculum 2023 Student Publication Ceremony will take place on April 17, at 4 p.m. Get recognized for written work that you published as a student, as either a primary author or co-author during Summer 2022, Fall 2022 or Spring 2023. Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to participate! Submission deadline is April 1. Learn More.

Florida Atlantic University's spring break will begin on March 4. Classes will resume on March 11. Have a safe and enjoyable break!

The FAU Career Center is ready to help you build toward your future. Their award-winning staff are available to help with practice interviews, resume reviews and more! Make an appointment today or check out the latest jobs in Handshake.

On Tuesday, April 4, Nursing Honors students will present their final honors theses, from 10 a.m. to noon, in the College of Nursing building, Room 108, on the Boca Raton campus. All faculty, current mentors, prospective mentors and Honors 2 students are invited to support the presentation.

On Wednesday, April 5, at 1 p.m., the Sigma Iota Xi at-large Chapter will present a hybrid webinar on "Development of a Caring Data Science Framework and Predictive Models for COVID-19 Outcomes Using AI and Machine Learning" in the College's atrium. Dean Safiya George and Dr. Debarshi Datta will both speak during the event. Join Here

Congratulations to Ph.D. student Eftkhar Alroyley for reaching the fifth round of the Graduate College's 2023 Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition! She presented her research, "The Needs of Saudi Parents of Infants Hospitalized in the NICU: A Mixed Methods Research." The competition challenges graduate students to pitch their research in three minutes to a live audience for the chance to win over $30,000 in scholarship prizes.

College of Nursing students from FAU's Davie campus attended a three-day event for the Mission of Mercy and Florida Dental Association. Students primarily volunteered in the medical triage area where they treated approximately 1,500 patients for free dental care. Instructors in attendance included Melissa Borum, Dr. Syretta Morrison, Dr. Joan Diamond and Dr. Elizabeth Adenmosum. View Photos

FAU College of Nursing students, along with Drs. Nancy Harris and Debra Hain, returned from a study abroad trip in February to Guatemala where they helped care for over 400 patients.

Alumni Spotlights:

Eric Wilson and Megan Gallagher

Congratulations to recent BSN graduates Eric Wilson and Megan Gallagher on receiving the DAISY Award from The DAISY Foundation! Both Eric and Megan received their diplomas from Florida Atlantic in December 2022.


DAISY Award recognitions honor the super-human work nurses do for patients and families every day wherever they practice, in whatever role they serve, and throughout their careers. The awards are also tied to Certified Nurses Day which is celebrated annually on March 19. To read Eric's Daisy story, click here; to read Megan's story, click here.

News and Events

The College of Nursing served as a Southern Nursing Research Society Gold Host School for the 37th annual conference in Orlando, from March 1 to 3. Together with Dean Safiya George, approximately 12 College faculty members presented and volunteered during the event.

Enjoy free, bi-monthly yoga sessions! Mark your calendars for the second and fourth Mondays in March and April. This series is free and open to all FAU students, faculty and staff, as well as non-FAU community members. Learn more here.

Attention faculty and students! The College's annual Future of Nurses survey with Cross Country Healthcare makes healthcare leaders take note of what nurses like you have to say about your experience providing care and serving on the front lines. Complete the survey today to bring about real change.

On Friday, March 10, at 1 p.m., Dr. Beth Pratt will present during the national convening of the Mission Alliance online via Zoom as part of the PCORI grant that her team is working on. Scan the QR code to register for the event.

Healing for Healer's Night will take place on Wednesday, March 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the College's atrium. The event is hosted by the College, the Sigma Iota Xi at-large Chapter, and the Florida Nurses Association. Highlights include a presentation by Dr. Shirley Gordon, meditative relaxation services, reiki energy healing, aromatherapy, labyrinth walks, gift basket giveaways, refreshments, and more! To register for the event, scan the QR code or click here.

Tickets are now on sale for the 2023 President's Gala. The annual event will take place on Saturday, April 15, at 7 p.m., in the Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena on the Boca Raton campus. The gala supports student scholarships, with a focus this year for those enrolled in health and health science programs. Buy Tickets

Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) visited the nurse-led FAU NCHA Community Health Center on Feb. 23 to learn more about the primary care and behavioral health services provided to underserved communities in West Palm Beach. View Photos

Thank you to all of the faculty, staff, students and families who supported the College of Nursing's team at the 5K Walk for Wishes in Broward County. We surpassed our fundraising goal! All funds raised benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida. View more photos from the walk here.

Dr. Pat Liehr, former College of Nursing Associate Dean for Research and current Memory and Wellness Center Caring Hearts Auxiliary board member, led the Morikami Museum and Japanese Garden's "Stroll for Well-Being." This therapeutic garden walking program allows participants to immerse themselves in the natural beauty, peace and serenity of the gardens. Dr. Ruth McCaffrey, FAU College of Nursing Professor Emeritus, helped establish this transformative program. Learn more about this free event and view the schedule here.

Faculty and Staff Spotlights

Marqueshia Cooper joined the College of Nursing as an Advisor II, on the Boca Raton campus in February. Prior to joining the College, she served as the Assistant Director of the Student-Athlete Success Center and Director of Student Athlete Development. Welcome!

New IT Support Specialist Tyler Algigi joined the College of Nursing at the end of January. He previously worked at FAU as an enterprise systems technical support staff member. In 2022, Tyler received his Bachelor of Science degree from the university in Computer Science.

Dr. Karethy Edwards has been selected as the John Wymer Endowed Professor in Nursing for her long-standing track record of caring science focused curriculum development, community service and incredible grantsmanship.

In February, Dr. Joy Longo assumed the role of Interim Associate Dean of Academic Programs in the College of Nursing. Dr. Longo intricately understands the College's undergraduate and graduate programs, and she currently also serves as the College's AACN Essentials champion. 

Effective Feb. 20, Dr. Michelle Broadbent, clinical assistant professor, began serving as Interim Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs. She joined the College's faculty in 2021.

Together with FAU RN-BSN students, Dr. Lisa Wiese attended the Diabetes Coalition of Palm Beach County's Diabetes Awareness Day in February. The group provided over 70 free health-related screenings during the event.

Dr. Karen Wisdom-Chambers has been nominated for the Giraffe Award by the Women's Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County. As a nominee, she will attend the chamber's luncheon on Wednesday, March 15, at the Tideline Ocean Resort and Spa on Palm Beach, along with faculty and staff.

Dean Safiya George will be the keynote speaker at FAU's Horizon Society Luncheon on Tuesday, May 9, at the Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club in Boca Raton. Each year, the FAU Foundation honors philanthropists who have planned a future gift to FAU with a celebratory luncheon.

Drs. Cheryl Krause-Parello and Laurie Martinez presented a webinar, "For the Love of Dogs!: A Nurse-led Research Initiative for Veterans and their Families," during the Ph.D. Café on Feb.22. 

During FAU's Authors and Artists recognition celebration in February, Dr. Armiel Suriaga (at left, along with Dr. Linda Golian-Lui, Dean of University Libraries), presented his research on synthetic cannabinoids and cannabinoid-related deaths. The annual event was hosted by FAU Libraries and the Office of the Provost. Authors and Artists Recognition Event 2024 will start accepting submissions on July 1, 2023Read More

Congratulations to Dr. Rita Gengo (PI) and team for obtaining a $5,000 grant award from Sigma Theta Tau International, Sigma Foundation for Nursing. The study is titled, "Psychometric Validation of the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) in Individuals with Heart Failure," and its purpose is to provide robust evidence of the validity.

Congratulations to Dr. Candy Wilson for a $573,216 grant award from the TriService Nursing Research Program for the project, “Leveraging the Mission Wellness Mobile Application to Support Career and Family Planning in U.S. Service Members.” It builds on prior work focused on increasing knowledge, motivation and behavioral skills to reduce health-risking sexual behaviors to support mission readiness among active-duty service members by developing a smartphone mobile application.

In the Media

Dean George

Dean Safiya George joined the Boca Helping Hands (BHH) Board of Directors in February. Now in its 25th year of operation, BHH is a community-based nonprofit that provides food, medical and financial assistance to meet basic human needs as well as education, job training and guidance to create self-sufficiency. Through its various programs, BHH assists over 27,000 people annually. Read Article

The Sun-Sentinel and several other print and broadcast news outlets covered Drs. Armiel Suriaga and Ruth Tappen's study examining cannabis-related deaths in Florida, including WPTV, HealthLeaders and Medical Xpress.

On Feb. 6, Dr. Louise Aurélien Buie, Assistant Dean of Executive and Continuing Education and Academic-Practice Partnerships in the College of Nursing, joined WLRN's South Florida Roundup to share reactions and concerns following the sale of fraudulent nursing diplomas. Listen Here

Employment Opportunities


Family Nurse Practitioner - Community Health Center, Westgate

Clinic Director and Nurse Practitioner - Community Health Center, Westgate

Visiting Assistant Professor (Psychiatric Mental Health NP), Boca Raton

Coordinator, Finance-Clinical Programs, Memory and Wellness Center, Boca Raton


Invest in our nursing students today to prepare for Florida’s health care needs tomorrow.

Give Now

FAU/NCHA Community Health Centers

Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center

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