School of Nursing 2023-26 National Council

Rachel Brody Bandych

Rachel Brody Bandych’s professional journey has taken her through various fields, starting with law and later transitioning into a franchisee for multiple locations of a national brand. During her legal career in Rochester, Bandych worked in federal court and later in private practice, specializing in estate planning, administration, and litigation. She holds degrees from Mount Holyoke College and Boston University School of Law

Bandych's mother, Ruth Miller Brody, made significant contributions to the nursing field as the third director of the University of Rochester School of Nursing during the 1950s. Ruth Miller Brody was a graduate of the University of Rochester and served on the faculty of the UR School of Nursing. Bandych's father was a medical student at the University when they met and married. Though neither Bandych nor her sister pursued careers in nursing or medicine, they hold deep admiration and respect for health care professionals. In recognition of their parent's legacy and contributions to the University, Bandych and her sister established a professorship at the UR School of Nursing in 1997, honoring the invaluable work of health care professionals.

Nancy Dianis

Nancy Dianis recently retired as vice president and study area director for Westat, a multimillion-dollar corporation providing research services to businesses, foundations, and government agencies. A clinician and educator with over 40 years of experience, Dianis headed up clinical trials, epidemiologic research, and global health projects on a wide range of conditions. Dianis received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Illinois Wesleyan University and earned her master’s degree through the Adult Primary Nurse Practitioner program from the University of Rochester.

Dianis was the principal investigator on a project for the Global Health Activities in Developing Countries and Tuberculosis Clinical Diagnostics Research Consortium with Johns Hopkins University. She also served as a consultant for a review of the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s Clinical Research Management Program, where she provided recommendations for strategic direction and research on and evaluations of nursing practices and programs. From 1985 to 2014, she held adjunct faculty positions at nursing schools at the University of Rochester, George Mason University, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Maryland.

Dianis was awarded the Elizabeth Clinger Young Award in 1985 through the University of Rochester School of Nursing, given to the student completing graduate study in a Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program who most exemplifies great compassion, courage, and concern for others. In 1996, she was recognized by the NIH with the Nursing Department’s Director’s Award and in 2006 by the CDC for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention Honor Award.

Joanne Clements, MS, RN, ACNP

Joanne Clements, MS, RN, ACNP retired from her role as assistant professor of clinical nursing at the University of Rochester School of Nursing in 2020. She began her nursing career in critical care at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and Massachusetts General Hospital. Clements returned to Rochester in 1986 after being awarded a Louise Mellen Fellowship for graduate study in critical care and joined the University of Rochester Medical Center as a clinical nurse specialist in 1988. She served in multiple clinical, administrative, and managerial roles, including clinical chief for surgical nursing, prior to moving to UR School of Nursing in 1999. She earned her baccalaureate and master’s degrees from the University of Rochester.

For over 15 years, she served in baccalaureate and program director roles while maintaining a clinical practice role for the Center for Perioperative Medicine at URMC. She taught courses across program levels in leadership, management, and performance improvement. Prior to retirement, she served as interim director of admissions. Clements is a member of the URMC Board of Directors and is currently vice chair of the quality of care committee. She is a past recipient of the Dean’s Medal, Dean’s Appreciation Award, and the Sarah and Ernest Taylor Memorial Nursing Award from the UR School of Nursing.

Sergio Esteban

Sergio Esteban is the principal of LaBella Associates, a top 100 Rochester firm and the Nation’s Top 500 Engineering and Architecture company. LaBella provides services in architecture, engineering, program management, environmental consulting, survey and planning. The firm has headquarters in Rochester and 34 offices in the U.S. and in Europe.

Esteban obtained a master’s degree in civil engineering and transportation from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain, and furthered his education at Syracuse University and the University of Rochester. His leadership in projects and management of LaBella Associates has contributed to the growth of the company and the betterment of the Rochester community. He was the recipient of the 1993 Rochester Civil Engineer of the Year Award. In 2012, he was recognized as the Rochester Businessperson of the Year, Rochester Engineer Society Engineer of the Year, and Rochester Hispanic Businessperson of the Year.

Esteban is an active member of the Rochester community and is involved in several organizations. He currently serves as the Chair of the Board of the Rochester Convention Center. Additionally, he is a member and past Chair of the RochesterWorks! Workforce Investment Board, as well as a member of the REDCO Board and the University of Rochester School of Nursing National Council.

Arnice I. Jackson

Arnice Jackson, DNP, FNP-C, is a nurse practitioner with over 10 years of experience in various clinical and academic settings. With a passion for delivering quality care, her mission is to provide quality health care services that are accessible, culturally relevant, and that will empower individuals and communities to take an active role in their health and well-being. She serves this mission in her current role as a telehealth primary care clinician, health care consultant, and CEO of the non-profit organization, The Color of Health, Inc.

In addition to her clinical work, Jackson is also a skilled mindfulness and meditation facilitator. She has integrated mindfulness practices into her own life and clinical practice, recognizing the importance of addressing the impact of chronic stress on one's overall health and wellness. Jackson's dedication to improving patient outcomes and promoting well-being has earned her a reputation as a skilled and compassionate nurse practitioner. She continues to provide expert care to patients while also sharing her knowledge and expertise with colleagues and the wider health care community.

Marcia K. Johansson

Marcia Johansson, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, FCCM, FAANP, is an acute care nurse practitioner who currently lives in Tampa, Florida. She began her career as a registered nurse working in critical care. She returned to the Rochester area in 1994 and enrolled in the University of Rochester School of Nursing to complete her BSN/MSN degree with an acute care nurse practitioner focus. She worked at the University of Rochester Medical Center in the intensive care unit and later transitioned to the vascular surgery service, working in both the inpatient and outpatient settings for 20 years.

In 2016, she completed her DNP degree at the University of South Florida and became a full-time faculty serving as the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Concentration Director. In 2022, she joined the faculty at the University of Florida College of Nursing. She has been active in the Society of Critical Care Medicine, holding multiple committee leadership positions to advance critical care. She has over 21 peer-reviewed publications and has authored numerous book chapters.

Patricia Larrabee, RN, NP

Patricia Larrabee, RN, NP, is the former CEO and founder of Rochester Clinical Research (RCR). She retired from the company in 2023 and is currently serving as a consultant to the Atlas Clinical Research Network. Her chief responsibilities as RCR CEO covered all technical, operational, and managerial aspects of clinical site management. She also served as a sub-investigator on the trials RCR conducted.

Rochester Clinical Research conducts FDA-approved phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical research trials as part of the drug development process in the U.S. RCR also collaborates with several community physicians to assist in the conduct of research in the community by providing regulatory, recruitment, and study coordinating services. RCR has been involved in numerous COVID-19 trials and has adopted multiple new technologies to complete clinical trials during the pandemic.

Larrabee is a member of the Association of Research Professionals, the Society of Clinical Research Sites, and member of the Site Advisory Group for the Shared Investigator Program. Larrabee earned a master’s degree from the University of Rochester as an adult nurse practitioner. She is the past board chair of Mary Cariola Center and a longtime supporter of services for disabled adults and children and is currently on the Heritage Christian Center Foundation Board. She also served on the National Advisory Council for the UR School of Nursing 2012-15.

Diane R. Lauver, PhD, RN, FAAN

Diane Lauver, PhD, RN, FAAN, is a nurse educator and researcher with experience as a nurse practitioner. As an RWJ post-doctoral scholar at the University of Pennsylvania, Lauver studied women’s screening behaviors, and with a co-editor, she won an AJN book award. She was a faculty member at UW-Madison School of Nursing and developed women’s health courses, collaborated on offering a women’s health nurse practitioner program, and served as director of NP and PhD programs. Lauver received statewide awards, including women’s health, nursing research, and alumna of the year from the UR School of Nursing.

While studying at Vanderbilt University, Lauver learned about the evolving responsibilities of nurses. Her participation in a student-led coalition that focused on rural communities helped her gain insight into external obstacles to healthcare. Lauver further developed her knowledge by pursuing a MS-NP preparation from the University of Rochester School of Nursing and earning her PhD from the University of Rochester. She is currently studying patient-centered interventions to promote primary preventive behaviors and hopes to learn more about how nurses can facilitate individuals in reaching their health goals and improving their health.

Susan Parkes-McNally

Susan Parkes-McNally has over 50 years of construction accounting experience with O’Connell Electric Company. She is the executive vice president and supports the human resources and treasury departments. In addition to supporting O’Connell Electric’s strategic initiatives, she heads up the company’s philanthropic initiatives. Through her leadership and support of the company’s employee wellness initiative, O’Connell was awarded the Rochester Wealth of Health Award in 2010.

Parkes-McNally holds a degree in accounting/business administration. She is a trustee on the University of Rochester Medical Board and serves on their quality care, facilities, and advancement committees. She also serves on the University of Rochester School of Nursing National Council, and the executive leadership team for the American Heart Association.

One of her most significant contributions to the Rochester community is as a founding family and board member of the Mary Parkes Center for Asthma Allergy and Pulmonary Care, which is now an affiliate of the University of Rochester Medical Center. For over 20 years, she led the Mary Parkes Center Annual Golf Tournament Planning Committee, generating over two and a half million dollars that directly supports patients and their families. In 2018, she received the first-ever Rochester Business Journal Women of Excellence Award, joining the ranks of Rochester’s most inspiring women. The award testifies to her achievement in professional excellence, commitment to community service, and the positive impact of serving as a mentor.

Phyllis Arn Zimmer, MN, FNP, FAANP, FAAN

Phyllis Zimmer, MN, FNP, FAANP, FAAN, is an internationally recognized family nurse practitioner. Zimmer is current president of the Nurse Practitioner Healthcare Foundation, CEO of Altrix Primary Care, Nashua, and CEO of America’s Nurses. She is the past president of both the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties and the American College of Nurse Practitioners.

Zimmer has been a consultant for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the National Health Service Corps. In 1966, she was selected by the U.S. Public Health Service as a Primary Care Policy Fellow. She has provided expert testimony to the Food and Drug Administration and the Institute of Medicine. She spearheaded the NPHF white papers, which provide resource support to public health policymakers and illuminate issues of national importance in health care. In 2013, she presented a TED talk in Brussels highlighting the contributions of nursing to advancing health care innovation globally. In 2013, she presented this at the World Health Organization and on a panel at the Women Leaders Form, an affiliate meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. She is also a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

In recognition of her contributions to nursing, she has received the Distinguished Alumna Award from the University of Rochester School of Nursing. She was the 2012 recipient of the Loretta C. Ford Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Nurse Practitioner Symposium.