The latest news from the heart of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing for alumni, supporters and friends | | |
Caring Hearts Auxiliary to Host
20th Annual 'Keep Memories Alive' Walk
| | |
The Caring Hearts Auxiliary of Florida Atlantic's Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center within the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing is set to host its 20th annual “Keep Memories Alive” Walk-in-the-Mall on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 9 a.m. at the Town Center (North entrance) in Boca Raton. Registration begins at 8 a.m.
Sign up today with your family and friends! Your donations will fund caregiver programs and day center scholarships for participants in financial need.
| | Florida Legislature Awards FAU $30M for Health Professions Facility | | |
Florida Atlantic University has received $30 million in state funding from the Florida Legislature to advance plans for a 150,000-square-foot Health Professions Clinical Training and Research Facility on its Boca Raton campus. The facility will bring together students, faculty and researchers from FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, and College of Social Work and Criminal Justice to expand health professions education, strengthen clinical training and advance patient-oriented research.
The funding includes $10 million secured in 2025 and an additional $20 million in 2026. The $30 million marks the first state funding secured for the project and establishes a significant foundation for the university’s next phase of planning. Unlike traditional facilities dedicated to a single academic discipline, FAU’s Health Professions Clinical Training and Research Facility will create an interprofessional environment where future physicians, nurses and social workers learn and train alongside one another.
| | Sydney Gibbons, BSN '26, Receives Parliament of OWLs Award | |
Alumna Sydney Gibbons, BSN ‘26, was among the Parliament of OWLs (Older, Wiser, Leaders) award recipients at the university's Talon Leadership and Service Awards ceremony on Oct. 21.
As part of Florida Atlantic’s Homecoming 2026, the annual event honors outstanding alumni, students, faculty and community members who exemplify extraordinary leadership and service.
| | Nursing Dean Cameron Duncan, Ph.D., Named Fellow of the AAN | |
Cameron Duncan, Ph.D., Holli Rockwell Trubinsky Eminent Dean of Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) during the academy’s ceremony and soiree on Oct. 10 in Washington, D.C.
This prestigious honor recognizes leaders who have made significant contributions to healthcare, nursing practice, research, education and policy.
| | | |
New Issue: Journal of Art and Aesthetics in Nursing and
Health Sciences
| The 2026 issue of the Journal of Art and Aesthetics in Nursing and Health Sciences (JAANHS) is now available. This peer-reviewed collection celebrates the transformative power of caring through art, poetry, narratives and scholarly reflection from across healthcare disciplines. Explore the journal and consider sharing your own creative or scholarly expression of caring in a future issue. | | |
Alumni in Action:
Gabrielle Dispenza, BSN ‘20
| | |
Employed at: Broward Health Medical Center, Adult Neuroscience Unit
Role: Medical-Surgical Nurse and Assistant Nurse Manager
Career Highlights: Became a charge nurse within her first year and an assistant nurse manager by the end of her second year. Received the Medical-Surgical Division's Nurse Leader Excellence Award in 2023 and was featured in South Florida Hospital News and Healthcare Report's 2026 "Salute to Nurses."
| | | |
Giving Back: Shared career and internship advice at the college's Sept. 15 Lunch and Learn and discussed nursing leadership at a recent Student Nurses Association meeting.
Advice for Current Students: Prioritize your school, work and life balance, and don't be afraid to ask for help!
In Her Own Words: "What an honor to speak at the college that helped shape the nurse and nurse-leader that I am today!"
Beyond Nursing: Enjoys pickleball, journaling, self-development books and exploring new coffee shops.
| | Stay connected with fellow nursing alumni by joining Florida Atlantic's Nursing Professionals Alumni Network! Chat with fellow members within the network's portal, discover upcoming college and university events and explore opportunities to network. | | | |
We Want to Hear from You!
Complete our brief Alumni Engagement Survey to tell us how you'd like to stay connected with the college. Whether you're interested in mentoring, guest speaking, networking, engaging with students or being featured in our publications, we'd love to hear how you want to get involved!
| | | | |
