News & Events

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) proudly announces that Linda L. Costa, PhD, BSN ’76, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, associate professor, and five UMSON alumni have been selected as 2021 Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing (AAN). They are among the 225 distinguished nurse leaders who compose this year’s cohort, and they were recognized for their contributions to health and health care at the academy’s annual Health Policy Conference, October 7 - 9, offered in a hybrid format. The UMSON alumni are: Diane M. Breckenridge, PhD ’96, MSN, RN, ANEF, FAAN Virginia LeBaron, PhD, MS ’02, APRN, FAANP, FAAN Rebecca (Suzie) Miltner, PhD ’01, RN, CNL, NEA-BC, FAAN Laura J. Wood, DNP, MS ’83, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN Mei-Ling Yeh, PhD ’97, MS ’93, DMS, FAAN Criteria for selection as an AAN Fellow includes evidence of significant contributions to nursing and health care and sponsorship by two current AAN Fellows. Applicants are reviewed by a panel of elected and appointed fellows, and selection is based, in part, on the extent the nominee’s nursing career has influenced health policies and the health and well-being of all. At UMSON, Costa teaches in the Master of Science in Nursing Health Services Leadership and Management specialty and in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program with a focus on translation of evidence to practice, innovation in health care, and DNP project advisement. She is co-director the School’s Nurse Leadership Institute, funded by a Maryland Higher Education Commission Nurse Support Program II grant. For the last six years, she has served as a member of the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission Performance Measurement workgroup. She is a health services researcher with funded research studies on hospital discharge transitions, medication reconciliation, and implementation science. She has lectured nationally and internationally on leadership and evidence-based practice. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UMSON and her Master of Science in Nursing and PhD from The Catholic University of America. “We congratulate Dr. Costa on the honor of being named a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing,” said Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the School of Nursing. “It is a tribute to her dedication and commitment to evidence-based practice and its significant role in advancing the practice of nursing. We also congratulate our five distinguished alumni for being nationally recognized for their leadership and many contributions to nursing research, education, and practice.” The new AAN Fellows represent 38 states; Washington, D.C.; and 17 countries. Fellows now comprise more than 2,900 nursing leaders who are experts in policy, research, administration, practice, and academia and who champion health and wellness, locally and globally. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling more than 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – In the continued response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s request, and UMSON’s assessment of students’ readiness, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) for the fourth time has approved an early exit for entry-into-nursing students who are scheduled to graduate on Dec. 23, 2021. In an effort to bolster the nursing workforce, students approved for an early exit can begin working as nursing graduates. All 161 graduating Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students will exit as early as Nov. 19, provided they have successfully completed fall 2021 courses. And 11 graduating entry-into-nursing Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) master’s students opted to exit as early as Nov. 19. To be eligible for the early-exit option, CNL students had to meet specific GPA and academic program requirements. Exits for both groups will continue until the first week of December. The School of Nursing has collaborated with the chief nursing officers of local major hospital systems such as the University of Maryland Medical System, the Johns Hopkins Health System, MedStar Health, Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center, and Holy Cross Health and has ascertained their need for and interest in hiring nursing graduates. Students who are exiting early have been encouraged to pursue nursing graduate positions at these and other employers to support the state’s health care systems through the pandemic. “We are committed to continuing to partner with Maryland’s health care systems to support them in meeting the needs of our state,” said Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “Now in its fourth iteration, our early-exit option has been a vital source of new nursing graduates for Maryland’s nursing workforce as area facilities continue to grapple with the ramifications of the pandemic. Nurses throughout Maryland have served courageously on the front lines for over 20 months. I am proud of our entry-into-practice students for their willingness to support these efforts, and I applaud all of our students for their resiliency and for persevering in their studies during a difficult time marked by uncertainty and ongoing challenges. Maryland is well served by all of these truly dedicated individuals.” UMSON will provide a letter to participating students that they can in turn provide to prospective employers stating that they have met all the program requirements and have qualified for and taken an early-exit option from UMSON. UMSON had a total of 372 BSN students and 70 CNL students exit early in spring and fall 2020 and spring 2021. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – The Nurse Leadership Institute (NLI) at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (USMON) is pleased to announce its 2021 - 22 cohort of NLI Fellows, the institute’s seventh cohort. The 36 nurse educators and clinicians from throughout Maryland were selected through a competitive application process and are participating in a yearlong program designed to prepare nurse faculty and practitioners to strengthen their leadership in academic and health care to improve health outcomes for Maryland residents. Nurses selected for this program demonstrate the leadership potential needed for this challenge. The NLI was established in 2015 by a $2.5 million, five-year Nurse Support Program II grant from the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission, administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. In 2020, the institute’s grant funding was renewed with a $1.7 million five-year grant, allowing NLI to continue serving as a statewide resource for developing academic and practice nurse leaders. Grant funding covers program expenses and fees for fellows, allowing UMSON to offer the program at no cost to participants. “Like no other time in history, it is clear that the health of Marylanders depends on nurses and nurse leaders,” said Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD ’11, MS ’05, BSN ’04, CRNP-Neonatal, FNAP, FAAN, associate professor; chair of the Department of Partnerships, Professional Education, and Practice; and director of the Center for Health Equity and Outcomes Research. “Whether preparing the next generation of nurses as educators or providing essential care to patients in hospitals, nursing leadership matters. I am so excited to welcome the 2021 - 22 class of fellows to the Nurse Leadership Institute where they will strengthen their capacity to advance nursing practice and academia and command a well-deserved seat at the leadership table.” During their participation in the NLI, fellows identify and strengthen their leadership competencies, expand their skills using a strength-based approach, and create a plan for continued development. They collaborate with other fellows to develop a leadership collaboration activity that translates knowledge to practice. Fellows also select a mentor who serves as a professional guide throughout the program. In addition, the program offers a free, one-year membership in the Maryland Organization of Nurse Leaders and continuing nursing education units for all activities. “Participating in the NLI gave me the confidence to accept the role as chair of the Transition to Nurse Residency taskforce under the Maryland Organization of Nurse Leaders’ Maryland Nurse Residency Collaborative,” said Eursula L. David-Sherman, MSN, BSN ’92, RN, NPD-BC, nurse residency coordinator, Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center, and a 2019 - 20 NLI Fellow. “The taskforce develops onboarding strategies to support new nurse graduates as they successfully transition into nurse residency programs. Leading this taskforce allows me the opportunity to collaborate with academic partners and practitioners across the state, to support the future nursing workforce, and to ensure these new nurses are equipped to provide care for Maryland residents.” To date, 173 fellows have completed the NLI with coaching provided by 167 mentors. The 2021 - 22 NLI cohort of fellows began the program in August and will finish at the end of June. These nurses represent 17 health care organizations and higher education institutions statewide; the 2021 - 22 NLI Fellows are: Matthew Adome, MSN, RN, University of Maryland Medical System Florchita Arceo, MSN, RN, University of Maryland Capital Region Health Belinda Asante-Mensah, MSN, RN, AG-ACNP, CCRN, The Johns Hopkins Hospital Ami Ayers, MSN, CPEN, Sinai Hospital Stanneshia Barnett, MSN, RN, University of Maryland Baltimore-Washington Medical Center Lorrin Barton, MSN, RN, Sinai Hospital Brutrinia Cain, JD, BSN, RN, Health Resources and Services Administration Cheryl Coale, MS, RN, University of Maryland Baltimore-Washington Medical Center Patricia Fato, BSN, RN, CPN, Kennedy Krieger Institute April Fogle, BSN, RN, Frederick Health Hospital Renee Franquiz, DNP, RN, CNE, UMSON Laura Garifo, BSN, RNC-OB, CLC, C-EFM, MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center Ashley Gick, BSN, RN, PCCN, Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center Amy Hampt, MS, RN, NE-BC, The Johns Hopkins Hospital Alexandra Johnson, MSN, RN, The Johns Hopkins Health System Thomas Jones, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, TidalHealth Peninsula Regional Traci Jones, PhD, RN, PCE, NCSN, Prince George’s County Board of Education Rose Karlan, MSN, RN-BC, CNL, The Johns Hopkins Hospital Racquel McCrea, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center Kelly McDonald, BSN, RN-BC, CMSRN, Sinai Hospital Alicia Mezu, MSN-Ed, RN, Maryland State Department of Education Penny Miller, BSN, RN, Frederick County Government Natalie Moore, MSN, AG-ACNP, RN, CCRN, University of Maryland Medical Center Monica Myers-McClary, MHA, BSN, RN, CMSRN, CSSGB, Frederick Health Hospital  Laura Ogle, MSN, RN, CNE, CEN, MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center Michelle Powell, DNP, RN, University of Maryland Medical Center - Midtown Veronica Quattrini, DNP, FNP-BC, UMSON Kristen Rawlett, PhD, FNP-BC, FAANP, UMSON Megan Roesler, MSN, RN, CPN, Kennedy Krieger Institute Nadine Rosenblum, MS, RN, IBCL, PHNA-BC, The Johns Hopkins Hospital Michelle Spencer, DNP, RN, UMSON Christie Thibeault, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center Kimberly Webster, BSN, RN, CM/DN, Physicians Management Group/Maryland Primary Care Physicians Jodi Wendel, MSN, RN, University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center LaToya White, MSN, CRNP, FNP-C, University of Maryland Medical Center Claire Wright, MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, TidalHealth Peninsula Regional # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling more than 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.