Dean's Diamond Circle Recognizes Alumni, Supporters. Meet the 2025 Honorees

The UR School of Nursing handed out some of its highest honors at the annual Dean’s Diamond Circle Awards dinner Friday evening, April 11, at the Monroe Golf Club.

The annual celebration highlighted the significant contributions of School of Nursing alumni, former faculty, and supporters, with keynote speeches from Dean Lisa Kitko, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN; recent accelerated bachelor's alumnus and Wilmot Cancer Institute nurse Diyor Mukhammadov ’24N; and doctoral student Jamie Feingold ’26N (DNP), a nurse practitioner at Strong Memorial Hospital's fertility clinic. 

Meet the 2025 class of honorees:

Distinguished Alumnus Award

Rita F. D'Aoust, ’76N, ’84N (MS), ’94N (PMC), ’06N (PMC), ’08W (PhD)

D’Aoust is an accomplished nursing educator, clinician, and researcher whose career has significantly advanced healthcare education and workforce development. She currently serves as an associate professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, where she plays a critical role in shaping future nurse leaders and scholars. Her career has been defined by her innovative contributions to nursing education. At the University of Rochester, she established the Accelerated Bachelor’s program, which remains a model for second-degree nursing education and established herself as an early leader in integrating high-fidelity simulation and technology into nursing curricula, ensuring students receive cutting-edge clinical training. Her influence extends nationally through the development of the PRIME-NP Competency Model and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) Rubric, a framework that enhances nurse practitioner education and assessment.

A passionate advocate for veterans’ healthcare, D’Aoust has led groundbreaking efforts to support military service members transitioning into nursing careers, developing a new national model to create career pathways for veterans. Her pioneering leadership in geriatric workforce education and interprofessional collaboration has also improved primary care for older adults and underserved populations on a national level. D’Aoust’s work continues to shape nursing practice, education, and policy, ensuring that the next generation of nurses is well-equipped to meet evolving healthcare challenges. Later this spring, she will return to Rochester as the keynote speaker for the School of Nursing's annual Experiential Learning Summit.

Humanitarian Award

Orlando Harris ’10N (MS), ’14N (PhD)

Harris is an associate professor at the University of California, San Francisco, holding joint appointments in the School of Nursing’s Department of Community Health Systems and and the Department of Medicine’s Division of Prevention Science. A distinguished scientist and public health expert, Harris is committed to addressing health disparities among sexual and gender minorities, particularly in the U.S. and the Caribbean. He has pioneered studies on the impact of stigma, violence, and structural determinants of health on sexual minority communities, publishing foundational work. His work also extends to climate change and health equity, including the development of one of the first nursing courses on the intersection of climate change, public health, and social justice at UCSF.

As co-director of UCSF’s Scientific Working Group on Intersectionality in the Center for AIDS Research, Harris leads efforts to integrate intersectional frameworks into HIV prevention and care. His expertise has been recognized with numerous honors, including induction into the Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing and the American Academy of Nursing.

Harris' ongoing research, mentorship, and policy advocacy continue to shape inclusive healthcare practices and advance health equity on a global scale.

Legacy Award

Debbie R. Kamarck and Michael E. Kamarck, PhD, P’12, P’13

Debbie R. Kamarck and Michael E. Kamarck, PhD, have dedicated their lives to advancing science, healthcare, and education, while fostering a deep commitment to family and community.

The late Michael Kamarck was a leader in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. He passed away in 2023, but his memory carries on through his generosity and zeal. A graduate of Oberlin College with a degree in biology, he earned his PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Over the course of his career, he held key roles in technical operations and manufacturing, leaving a lasting impact on the field. Known for his mentorship and infectious enthusiasm, he was affectionately called the “sunshine pump” and “Excitable Boy PhD,” inspiring countless colleagues to reach their highest potential. His love for adventure extended beyond work—he was an avid traveler, cyclist, and storyteller, embracing life with his mantra, “Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.”

Debbie Kamarck’s passion for women's healthcare and education have shaped her professional and philanthropic endeavors. She earned a bachelor’s from Smith College, where she discovered her calling in women’s health, later pursuing a second bacehlor’s in nursing and an Master’s of Public Health in maternal and child care from Columbia University. She built her nursing career in gynecological surgery before transitioning to home healthcare, gaining insights into patient care beyond hospital settings. As her family moved across the country, she dedicated herself to volunteer work and advocacy. Today, she continues to champion access to healthcare and education for women and children, supporting scholarships and nursing programs.

Together, Michael and Debbie shared a profound partnership, raising their two daughters, Marissa and Amanda Kamarck '13N, and finding joy in their grandchildren, Connor and Colby. Their legacy of dedication, mentorship, and service continues to inspire those whose lives they touched.

Dean’s Medal

Nancy Dianis ’85N (MS)

Dianis, an alumna of the Adult Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program, recently retired as vice president and associate director of the clinical trials area at Westat, where she played a pivotal role in advancing global health research. With over 45 years of experience in nursing management, clinical research, and operations, Dianis led the support of numerous clinical trials and epidemiologic studies on HIV, tuberculosis, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and emerging infectious diseases. She also served as director of marketing and business development within Westat’s health studies sector, overseeing commercial and government contracts.

She has contributed significantly to global health initiatives, serving as principal investigator for a six-year National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute project focused on combating non-communicable chronic diseases in developing countries. She delivered the School of Nursing’s Clare Dennison Lecture in 2018 and was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus the same year.

Beyond her professional achievements, Dianis is committed to community service. She co-chairs the School of Nursing’s National Council, serves on the University of Rochester Campaign Planning Committee and as program chair for the NIH Children’s Inn Women’s Group, and actively participates with organizations in her community.

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