UR Nursing Celebrates Fall Convocation, Recognizes Top Scholars

The University of Rochester School of Nursing marked the first week of the fall semester at its Convocation Ceremony on Sept. 3, welcoming both new and returning students and celebrating annual award winners.
The School welcomed nearly 250 new students, including more than 80 accelerated bachelor’s students and 25 new doctoral students.

“You are here today because of your potential to contribute to the nursing and health care profession in meaningful ways,” Dean Lisa Kitko, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN, told students. “We are confident in your abilities, excited for the future you will shape, and ready to support you every step of the way.”

Representing 11 states and 7 countries – among them, England, Ghana, Hungary, and Nigeria – new students join the School’s vibrant community with rich experiences not only in nursing, but as patient technicians, scientists, social workers, teachers, firefighters, musicians, and several other career backgrounds as well.

Several students currently work across the UR Medicine network, and several have committed to doing so in the near future as members of the UR Nursing Scholars Program, a program that offers tuition coverage for select students who agree to a three-year work commitment at a UR Medicine-affiliated hospital after passing their licensure exam.

“Nursing education, practice, and research are the backbone of a strong and effective health care system. Our nurses are on the front lines of patient care, and their expertise is vital to delivering the highest quality outcomes,” University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) CEO David Linehan, MD, said in an address to students.

The ceremony also recognized the following students for their scholarly and clinical accomplishments:

Clare Dennison Prize

Nasreen Jaff received the Clare Dennison Prize, which recognizes a bachelor’s student for outstanding proficiency in general nursing care. Jaff is a patient care technician at Rochester Regional Health, and earned her first bachelor’s at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).

Eleanor Hall Award

Laura Callens ’16N, a Master’s in Nursing Education student, received the Eleanor Hall Award, which recognizes an outstanding master’s student. Callens pursued a nursing career after several years in catering and hospitality, and graduated from the accelerated bachelor’s program in 2016. She is now a palliative care nurse at URMC.

Michele Unger Leadership Award

Justine Clarkson, RN, a Clinical Nurse Leader student, was the recipient of the Michele Unger Leadership Award. The award recognizes a Leadership master’s student who exemplifies the life character of Michele Unger, the former Leadership in Healthcare Systems program director and a beloved nurse leader at Strong Memorial Hospital who passed away 10 years ago. Clarkson is a nurse at Wilmot Cancer Institute's Falck Cancer Center in Elmira.

George Spencer Terry Jr. B’49 Endowed Fund in Nursing

Alexandria Lovejoy, AGNP, RN, was awarded the George Spencer Terry Jr. B’49 Endowed Fund in Nursing Award. This award is given to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student who is developing innovative solutions to challenges facing nurses, health care providers, and students. Lovejoy is a nurse practitioner in Internal Medicine at Thompson Health. In 2022, she was named Thompson’s Associate of the Year and Nurse of Distinction.

Jill Thayer Dissertation Award

Yuri Choi, MS, RN, received the Jill Thayer dissertation Award, which is presented to a doctoral student whose research demonstrates a commitment to personalizing or enhancing health care encounters and access to health care. Choi’s research focuses on the needs of adolescent cancer survivors, and the role of parents in promoting physical activity after treatment. She volunteers with several local health organizations, including 13thirty Cancer Connect and the Genesee Valley chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society, and serves as a student diversity officer on the School’s Council for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Katharine Donohoe Scholarly Practitioner Award

Wonkyung Chang, MS, RN, received the Katharine Donohoe Scholarly Practitioner Award, which is presented to a doctoral student prepared as a nurse practitioner who has undertaken research focused on improving the well-being of the populations they serve. Chang is a combined MS-PhD student in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialty, and practices as a nurse at Hillside Children’s Center. Her research focuses on unhealthy alcohol and substance use among immigrant sexual minority men, and has been supported by the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. She was also a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Minority Fellow.

Loretta C. Ford Fellowship

Mary Antwi, MPH, BSN, an incoming PhD student, received the Loretta C. Ford Fellowship. Named after the School’s founding dean, the Ford Fellowship recognizes a new PhD student demonstrating high potential for academic and professional success. Originally from Ghana, she is an accomplished nurse leader, educator, and pastry chef. She previously taught at the Nursing and Midwifery Training College in Tepa, Ghana. She will join the School of Nursing’s sexual health and HIV research group, focusing on adolescent sexual health promotion.

Watch a live recording of the ceremony.

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