Congratulations Nurse Anesthesia Class of 2024!

We are thrilled to celebrate your incredible achievement of a 100% first-time pass rate on the NBCRNA exam! A whole class of students passing on their first attempt is an incredible feat, and a testament to the hard work and effort our graduates poured into their studies to achieve such success.

Here’s to continued excellence and many more achievements in the future!

#FIU #PawsUp #nurseanesthesia #CRNA #PantherPride #100percentpassrate

Dr. Amanda Thomas, physical therapy professor at the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences, was recently featured in FIU Research Magazine for her groundbreaking work on a novel at-home physical therapy program for patients with congenital upper limb deficiencies. The program was developed in collaboration with her Doctor of Physical Therapy students. Inspired by her son Hayden, who has experienced remarkable improvements in strength, range of motion, and coordination, the initiative has drawn global attention for its potential to provide convenient and cost-effective therapy options. The 3D-printed hand was designed at FIU’s Miami Beach Urban Studios with modifications from FIU biomedical engineers. Dr. Thomas’s study, published in the Journal of Hand Therapy, highlights the power of interdisciplinary innovation in transforming the lives of children and their families.

Dr. Annabel Núñez-Gaunaurd, a researcher in the Department of Physical Therapy, has secured over $100,000 in funding through three grants. As Principal Investigator on an FIU-RCMI pilot grant, she studies racial and ethnic disparities in physical activity and quality of life among adults with autism. Additionally, she is a Co-Investigator on an American Physical Therapy Association Research Foundation grant examining rehabilitation access for emerging adults with autism.

Dr. Butler has 11 publications and 12 scientific presentations covering sports medicine topics such as ACL return-to-sport testing, injury risk screenings, sports specialization. She has delivered 9 national and 3 local presentations and is scheduled to speak at an international conference in December 2024. Additionally, 18 of her presentations have been accepted for 2025 at national and local conferences. Dr. Butler serves on the steering committee for the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation Work Group (ARROW) and on the awards and nominating committees for the Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine Society (PRISM).

Congratulations to Dr. Lillybet Guilarte for obtaining her certification to become a Nurse Educator! We love our faculty and staff who are committed to bettering their education to reach new heights!

Introducing the My PATI interdisciplinary Team! My PATI Team has worked together with support from the National Institute on Aging and the Erica Wertheim Zohar Endowed Chair in Community Mental Health to develop an app to support communication and person-centered care delivery for persons impacted by dementia. A feasibility pilot randomized clinical trial will begin recruitment this month.

In the picture in the front row (left to right) from NWCNHS is Dr. Lisa Roberts, Dr. Mariateresa Munoz, Dr. Vicky Framil. Second row Dr. Ellen Brown, next in the second row is Gabriel Prieto Puche and Dr. Nicole Ruggiano (University of Alabama). In the back row, Juan Sotomayor Paez and Dr. Peter Clarke.



Melanie Hernandez, a passionate nursing student at Florida International University (FIU), is quickly making her mark both academically and within the FIU community. Originally from Miami Lakes, Florida, Melanie is set to graduate with her nursing degree in August 2025. Her journey into nursing is deeply personal—having been a NICU baby herself, Melanie was inspired by the care she received and now seeks to give back to others in similar situations.

At FIU, Melanie is not only dedicated to her studies but also to fostering leadership and community engagement. She serves as the Director of Academics for Alpha Omicron Pi and is the founder and current president of the Pre-Nursing Association. Through these roles, she actively shapes the academic and professional landscape for her peers.

When it comes to her academic experiences, Melanie is particularly fond of her Pathophysiology class, which she describes as both challenging and rewarding. The course has enhanced her understanding of disease processes and how they affect the body, sharpening her critical thinking skills and deepening her empathy for patients. Looking to the future, Melanie has clear career goals. She aspires to begin her career as a NICU nurse, providing care to newborns and families in need. In the long term, she hopes to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and work in underserved areas to help improve healthcare access for those in need.

Beyond academics, Melanie enjoys a variety of hobbies, including attending concerts, trying new foods around Miami, weightlifting, and spending time with her cats. She is also passionate about community service and creative endeavors, such as designing apparel for her sorority events. Working at the Diane Ramy Falconer STAR Center has also been a significant part of Melanie’s growth. Through patient simulations and hands-on clinical support, she has gained invaluable skills that bolster her confidence as she continues her nursing journey.

Proud of her Cuban heritage, Melanie is driven by values of hard work, resilience, and dedication. Her ultimate goal is to make a meaningful impact in healthcare, driven by her deep commitment to helping others. As a student, leader, and future nurse, Melanie Hernandez exemplifies the spirit of compassion and dedication that will shape the future of healthcare.

The Diane Ramy Faulconer STAR Center proudly announces the release of its newly developed Undergraduate Nursing Simulation Guidebook, designed to serve as a resource for nursing students navigating the dynamic and hands-on environment of clinical simulation education.

This guidebook has essential components of nursing practice, including detailed policies for professional conduct, clinical attire, and hygiene standards, ensuring students are well-prepared to meet the demands of real-world healthcare settings. Additionally, it provides an extensive reference for medical abbreviations, dosage calculations, and lab value interpretations, fostering clinical precision and confidence.

“We are excited to introduce a guidebook that not only supports the foundational knowledge of our students but also enhances their ability to excel in simulated and actual clinical environments,” said Saber Corum, Interim Assistant Director of the STAR Center. “This resource exemplifies FIU’s commitment to innovative nursing education and the professional growth of our students.”

Highlights of the guidebook include:

· Clinical Preparation: Clear expectations for attire, personal appearance, and professional behavior within clinical and community settings.

· Foundational Knowledge: Comprehensive sections on nursing processes, vital signs, priority assessments (ABC - Airway, Breathing, Circulation), and the 10 Rights of Medication Administration.

· Skill Reinforcement: Quick reference charts for nursing abbreviations, pharmacology, and lab values to promote accuracy during high-stakes scenarios.

· Interactive Learning: Step-by-step guidance on infection control, delegation, and diagnostic reasoning to align with the latest industry standards.

The guidebook also aligns with FIU’s commitment to fostering a compassionate and culturally competent care environment, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and real-life application through simulation.

This publication is a testament to FIU’s leadership in nursing education and its dedication to advancing healthcare both locally and globally. The Undergraduate Nursing Simulation Guidebook will be distributed to students beginning this semester and serves as a cornerstone for the STAR Center’s mission to blend technology, education, and clinical expertise.We are pleased to announce that Saber Corum has been appointed as the Interim Assistant Director of the Diane Ramy Faulconer STAR Center. Saber brings an impressive background in simulation education and a deep commitment to enhancing hands-on learning for our students, and we are thrilled to have him lead the STAR Center’s next chapter.

In his previous role as Simulation Education Manager at NWCNHS, Saber played an instrumental role in supporting our faculty and students, overseeing the daily educational operations of the simulation lab. He managed the integration of simulation materials, developed complex scenarios, skills labs, and OSCEs, and coordinated the STAR Center’s extensive simulation sessions. During this time, he ensured that our simulation experiences are of the highest educational standard.

In addition to his experience, Saber is a Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist (CHSOS) through the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSIH), an accreditation that underscores his expertise in running top-tier simulation programs. He is also ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) Certified and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) Certified through the American Heart Association, bringing essential skills that elevate our students’ learning in critical care environments.



• Drs. Hernandez, Campbell and Diaz were accepted to present a poster in Tucson, Arizona, Assembly of Clinical and Didactic Educators February, 2025
• Jean Hannan; Carmen Caicedo; Nola Holness; and PhD students: Julia Dnakanich, Kelly Simon Mengana and Nicole Whitfiled-Powell; BSN Students Exposure to a Nursing PhD Program Initiative
• Kelly Simon Mengana, PhD student and Dr. Caicedo will present a poster entitled "Care Setting and Caregiver Physical Functioning for Medically Complex Children" has been accepted for the SNRS 39th Annual Conference, February 19-21, 2025, Memphis, TN.
• Y Campbell, V J. Diaz, N Francis. Optimizing Clinical Training in Novice Nurse Anesthesia Residents Through Simulation-Based Education. Poster Presentation
• P. Hernandez, Y Campbell, V J. Diaz. Implementing Flipped Classroom in the Nurse Anesthesia Curriculum: A Quality Improvement Project. Oral Presentation.
• Dr. Jeff G. Konin recently presented on the topic of Marijuana and Athletic Performance at the University of Amsterdam as part of a collaboration with Professors Emase Kroon and Nora de Bode from the Neuroscience of Addiction Lab at the Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam.

• Dr. Brown Framil and Roberts JMIR Aging Publication . A continued program of research with an established team including. https://aging.jmir.org/2024/1/e57308
• Goldin, D., Alvarez, L. M., & von Harscher, H. (2024). Cognitive Flexibility: What Mental Health Professionals Need to Know. Journal of psychosocial nursing and mental health services, 1–8. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.3928/02793695-20241205-03
• de Almagro, C., & Goldin, D., Verme, J., & Carrillo, A. (2024). Clinical Introduction of a Health Care Transition Roadmap for Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes. Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) in Practice. https://doi.org/10.1177/2633559X241251846
• Pallidine, C. & Goldin, D. (Accepted). Virtual reality for pediatric ED pain management: Illustrative case report. Journal of Emergency Nursing.

NWCNHS Alumni Soiree : Friday, February 7, 2024

Click here to RSVP