From the Alumni Association President Dear Columbia Nursing Alumni,

Greetings on behalf of the Alumni Association. I am humbled to be continuing to serve as your president.

We had an exciting start to 2022, when we welcomed alumni back to campus for in-person events while celebrating our 130th anniversary. It was invigorating and inspiring to see everyone back in the building for Alumni Reunion, the Black Student and Alumni Mixer, the Graduation Celebration for the classes of 2020 and 2021, the New Student Orientation Trivia event, and many others.

My role as president of the school’s Alumni Association is to assist in representing the voice of nearly 11,000 Columbia Nursing alumni living and working around the world. The Alumni Association is your opportunity to stay involved in the life of the school. We are a vibrant community where graduates have the opportunity to learn, network, give back to their community, and socialize.

This past year, the goal of the Alumni Association Board of Directors has been to bridge the gap between alumni and students. The Student Engagement Working Group was formed to build a working relationship with current students to better serve their needs. The committee has been working closely with the Student Council to create events, networking opportunities, and mentorship connections.

The Alumni Association represents a diverse group of active alumni who want to stay connected to Columbia Nursing and engage with their fellow alums. I would like to introduce the three newest members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, who described the impact that they intend to make by being on the board:

• Jesus Casida ’96MS: I will inform and assist Columbia Nursing in accomplishing its research, teaching, and service missions, all while it maintains its stature as one of the most forwardthinking schools of nursing in the nation and the world.

• Lora Peppard ’08DNP: I will work with the Alumni Association Board of Directors to reinforce the strong infrastructure Columbia Nursing has built to guide, nurture, and support Columbia nurses in their academic and professional journeys.

• Vaneh Hovsepian ’22PhD: I would like to promote interdisciplinary collaborations and networking opportunities among nursing and other schools within Columbia University.

If you would like to participate in a volunteer committee, become more engaged with the school, host an event, or update your contact information, please get in touch with our alumni office at sonalumni@cumc.columbia.edu or 212-305-5999.

On behalf of the Alumni Association, I hope you have a wonderful summer and I look forward to hearing from you and seeing many of you at future events both locally and regionally. Be sure to follow us on social media to stay up to date.

Warm Regards,

Kevin Browne ’92MS, DNP, RN, CNS, CCRN-K President, Columbia Nursing Alumni Association

Senior Vice President, Chief Nurse Executive, St. Joseph’s Health

2022-2023

Alumni Association Board of Directors

Daniel Billings ’18DNP

Felesia Bowen ’10PhD

Kevin Browne ’92MS, President

Nicolas Burry ’20DNP

Jesus Casida ’96MS

Mollie Finkel ’12MS, Nominating Chair

Hilda Haynes Lewis ’99MS

Christa Simpson Heinsler ’76BS, Secretary

Kevin Hook ’98BS

Vaneh Hovsepian ’22PhD

Rosalind Kendellen ’74MS

Kimberly Lanfranca ’06MS

Lora Peppard ’08DNP

Marjorie Salas Weis ’17DNP

Olivia Velez ’11PhD

Julie Yoshimachi ’20DNP

Congratulations to Laura Ardizzone

’10DNP on receiving the 2022 Columbia Alumni Medalist Award. This distinguished award recognizes alumni across Columbia University for their service of 10 years or more to the university, including its schools, alumni associations, cross-campus initiatives, regional Columbia Clubs, and universitywide initiatives.