RWJ Scholars Round Four

Romella Edgmon:

If home is where the heart is, then my husband and dog wear my heart in San Diego, CA. I bring to& Rochester a sunny disposition, my perspective as an architect, my talents as an architectural illustrator, a professional Bachelor of Architecture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and Architecture Design and Theory from Virginia Polytechnic Institute. More recently, my interactions involved designing hospitals, and volunteering at a teaching hospital and a not-for-profit hospital, both in San Diego. I am inspired to begin a new life experience in nursing, bringing a sensitivity, maturity and understanding gained through my own personal experience as a breast cancer survivor. Though my professional background could not be any further from nursing, it could not be any closer to the person I have become. I round out my time road biking along the San Diego coastline and bays, working up a good sweat at the gym, and enjoying good food and drink, all of which are better when sharing with family, friends and laughter.

Dalia Falu:

A native of Rochester, NY, I have lived in many cities since graduating with a degree in Art Therapy. I returned to my hometown 2 years ago after a rewarding case management career in Phoenix, AZ because there is just no place quite like Rochester. When I am not chasing my toddler, I look forward to opportunities to do wood sculpting and take a nap.

Zachery Feasel:

I grew up in Walden, NY and just moved to Highland Park after doing genetics research at the Cornell Agricultural Station in Geneva, NY. In 2010, I graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges with Biology and Psychology majors and an Evolution minor. Ultimately, I would like to become a CRNA or geriatric NP, although I'm still very open to looking at other fields.

Brad Forsythe:

I grew up in Avon, NY. I graduated from the University of Rhode Island in May 2003 with a BS in Animal Veterinary Science and a minor in Forensic Science. My ultimate goal is to become a Nurse Anesthetist or Nurse Practitioner. Outside of school I enjoy playing sports, hiking with my wife and dog, and riding my mountain bike. I look forward to starting school in the fall and can't wait to meet everyone!

Jessica Gyemibi:

I was born in the Bronx, NY but lived in Ghana for all my childhood and teenage years. Moved back to the States and graduated with a BS in Psychology and a minor in Health and Wellness at the University at Buffalo. I worked as a pharmacy technician for 2 years and also worked as a direct care professional for a nonprofit organization that serves individuals with developmental disabilities. In college I did research on Autism Spectrum Disorders and Timothy Syndrome Disorder and presented my findings at a national conference. I am excited to begin my journey in the field of nursing. I enjoy spending time with family, watching movies and cooking.

Joshua Hatcher-Mullins:

I grew up in the cities of Raleigh, North Carolina and Beckley, West Virginia, and graduated from Cornell University in May 2011 with a BS in Biology & Society. My interests include learning foreign languages (currently trying to brush up on Japanese), plants, and cooking. I hope to eventually become an advanced practice nurse or nurse educator while running a bakery on the side - a way to fulfill both my passion for medicine and love of sweets. I wish everyone luck in the nursing program and look forward to getting to know you all!

Lauren Salopek:

I am from Northeastern Ohio, but also consider Ann Arbor, MI and Washington State home. In 2009 I graduated from the University of Michigan with a BA in Political Science. Entering nursing, I'm interested in Women's Health and hope to become a Nurse-Midwife. When I'm not hitting the books, I like to run road races, travel, and hang out in fun coffee shops with a good read. I'm excited to meet everyone and to have a great year together.

Allan Wong:

I am originally from the Bay Area in California, but am excited to go to school on the East Coast. My interests are hiking, biking, music, trying new foods and traveling. After the program, I plan to continue school and become a Nurse Practitioner.

Luke Angell:

I grew up on a 300 acre farm in the Hudson Valley region of New York with my seven siblings. I graduated this past May from Cornell University with a;Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. I currently manage a small herd of cattle in addition to assisting in the daily operations on the farm that I grew up on. I love working outdoors, spending time with my family, and learning new material. I am excited about pursuing my lifelong dream of entering the medical profession and feel blessed to be able to embark on this new chapter of life at the University of Rochester School of Nursing.

Russell Favro:

I have lived in the Rochester area for almost 20 since receiving my Bachelor of Science in Packaging Science from RIT. After 17 years of work in engineering and operations management, I felt pulled toward something that would be more rewarding. This, combined with a lifelong interest in the medical field, led me to pursue a second career in nursing. I currently live in Churchville with my wife and two young adolescent children. In my spare time I enjoy cycling and curling.

John Garza:

I grew up in Bakersfield, California. I was a police officer for 17 years before retiring in 2002. I then went on to get a BS in Liberal Studies from National University and Master in Social Work degree from California State University, Bakersfield. I spent the last six years working as a psychiatric social worker and medical social worker for Kaiser Permanente. My ultimate goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner.; I mainly spend my spare time with my wife and kids doing various things like barbequing, hanging out at a park, or spending a weekend at the beach. We are not snow people so moving to Rochester is going to be huge adjustment for all of us but an exciting one. I am ready to get started and look forward to meeting everybody.

Jessica Ladelfa:

I am from Southold, NY, however, have spent the last 10 years in Tampa, FL. I graduated from The University of Tampa with a BA in Psychology and worked as a clinic coordinator.; My ultimate goal is to become a pediatric Nurse Practitioner. My husband of 5 years is from the Rochester area and we have recently just moved back to NY. Outside of school I love running, cooking, baking, and spending time with my husband and friends. I look forward to meeting everyone and to a great semester!

Alexander Moy:

I grew up in New York City, and graduated from the University of Rochester with a degree in Optics. I worked in the engineering sector for four years before deciding to switch to healthcare, and jumped into an opportunity to work for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. My ultimate goal is to become some sort of advanced practice nurse, and look forward to the chance to grow and learn with all of you. During my downtime, I like to play sports, run with my cat and dog (well, the dog anyway), experience new things, and cook. Here's to good times, new friends, and most importantly, to us!

Andrew Schlesinger:

Once an employee of various school districts across the United States, I am very excited to start working towards certification as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner here in Rochester, New York. Hopefully, my experiences as a teacher, counselor, and school psychologist will add to classroom discussions and help provide an understanding of instructional environments and how they relate to the nursing profession. My long-term goal is to open a practice serving the psychiatric needs of children and adolescents residing in the Buffalo and Rochester areas. That being said, I have inkling that I might find other facets of nursing interesting and would adjust my career aspirations accordingly. I was recently married to my energetic and beautiful girlfriend of five years and we enjoy remodeling our home, watching sports, listening to live music, and spending quality time with my ten nieces and nephews. Traveling is always enjoyable, and I frequently return to Las Vegas and Phoenix where I attended graduate school. This is a very exciting time for all of us and I look forward to meeting new friends and colleagues.