Page 53 - University of Martland Nursing Forum - Winter 2017

class news and notes
2010s
Benson Musau, BSN ’10, RN, worked in various medical centers in Annapolis and Glen Burnie, Maryland,
after graduation. He then joined Frederick Memorial Hospital’s Surgical Services. As a circulating nurse in the Operative Room, he renders pre-, intra-, and postoperative nursing service.
Jessica Yarger, BSN ’12, RN, (center) was honored as the Baltimore Washington Medical Center Registered Nurse of the Year-ED at
the Glen Burnie, Maryland, hospital’s 2016 Nurses Week awards ceremonies.
Anastasia Valentino, BSN ’13, RN, was chosen as Nurse of the Year 2016 from 4 East at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C.
Justin Graves, MS ’14, RN,
sustainability manager at UMMC, was honored by
the Maryland Hospitals for
a Healthy Environment at
its MD H2E Trailblazer
event for his dedication to environmental health and sustainability. Graves chairs the hospital green team, spearheaded programs in waste reduction and healthy foods, and has identified opportunities to change hospital purchasing programs that save
money and reduce environmental impact.
Carolyn Nganga-Good, MS ’07, RN, CPH, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Public Health Nurse Leader, delivered a presentation on “Building a Healthier Nation: Public Health Nurses Leading the Change” at UMSON’s 50th anniversary celebration
of its Community/Public Health Nursing master’s specialty program on Sept. 17.
Brandon Buckingham, MS, BSN ’08, RN, CCRN, nurse manager, joint academy/surgery, was featured in the 2015-16 HCGH Nursing Annual Report, “Faces
of Caring.”
Silvia I. Freyre, BSN ’11, RN, began her career
as a clinical call center nurse at health care
data analytics company Inovalon in Bowie, Maryland. She continues to work there as a clinical operations manager.
Vanzetta James,
MS ’11, RN, CCRN, team manager; Samantha Dayberry, BSN ’08, RN, PCCN; and Jennifer Morle, BSN ’08, RN, PCCN, were part of the UMMC Multi-Trauma Intermediate Care-6 (MTIMCF-6) team that was awarded the highly regarded Silver-Level Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association
of Critical-Care Nurses
in May 2015. The UMMC MTIMCF-6 team was the first shock trauma unit ever to be recognized with this award.
Valerie Sabol, PhD ’09, AGACNP-BC, CNE, FAANP, was selected as a 2016 National League for Nursing Academy of Nursing Education Fellow. She was inducted at
the Summit Honors Convocation in Orlando, Florida, in September.
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF NURSING 51
promoting nursing at the national level as secretary of the American Nurses Association board of directors.
Through her work with student nursing associations, she encourages aspiring nurses to join professional organizations and advocate for their nursing practice. “Be a part of the force that can create a better future,” she says. “Talk with your elected officials about health care reform and issues related to nursing—it’s important for the nursing voice to be heard.”
Huss shares her sister’s dedication to supporting nursing students. In her role as a program director at the National Institute of Nursing Research at the National Institutes of Health, Huss serves as a mentor and resource for investigator- initiated research opportunities and provides guidance on training and career- development programs for students
from across the country, including many associated with UMSON. When speaking with students considering nursing
as a profession, Huss praises the
School’s reputation and highlights its program offerings.
As an UMSON alumna and former faculty member, Huss says she strongly believes that nurses should seek out higher education. “Nursing offers you the opportunity to assume whatever role you’d like to,” she explains. “As long as you pursue education, you can develop the skills you need to make major contributions to build the scientific foundation for clinical practice.”
Huss encourages students to make learning a priority. “You’re a student forever,” she says.
—Meredith Lidard Kleeman