Celebrating 46 Years of Excellence
Welcome to Gamma Nu Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International
Chartered in 1978, Gamma Nu is Seton Hall College of Nursing's chapter and has over 300 members.
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36th Annual Reinkemeyer Research Conference
The 36th Annual Reinkemeyer Research Conference, co-sponsored by Seton Hall University College of Nursing and Gamma Nu Chapter of Sigma, was held on March 15, 2024. Over 100 nurses and students gathered in lovely Bethany Hall on the South Orange campus. The planning committee was co-chaired by Beth Jameson and Nancy Bohnarczyk.
Four podium presentations and fourteen posters provided a vast range of interesting research topics. The conference was proud to include eight poster presentations by SHU CON undergraduate students.
The podium presenters and topics were:
Perceptions of English-Speaking West African Born Registered Nurses Regarding Academic Factors that Contribute to Retention and Success in Selected United States Entry Level Nursing Programs.
Afua Ampiaw, PhD, RN, MEDSURG-BC, ACUE
Fathers' Lived Experience of Bereavement
Christine Denhup, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC
Building the Science to Guide School Nurse Leadership Development Programs: An Integrative Literature Review
Cynthia Elizabeth Samuel, PhD, RN, CSN-NJ
Beth Q. Jameson, PhD, RN, CNL, CSN-NJ, FNASN
“There Is No Mentoring Here”: A Qualitative Study of Yearning for Mentorship and Support
Dione A. Sandiford, PhD, RN, CHSE; Charlotte Thomas-Hawkins, PhD, RN, FAAN and Shira Birnbaum, PhD, RN
The Keynote Speaker was Dr. Susan W. Salmond, who presented Best Evidence to Guide Practice: Focus on Emotional Well-Being of Nurses. Dr. Salmond, EdD, RN, ANEF, FAAN is Executive Vice Dean and Professor, Rutgers University School of Nursing and Co-Director, Northeast Institute for Evidence Synthesis and Translation (NEST).
Poster topics were:
• Developing Novel Partnerships to Improve Childhood Asthma and School Absenteeism
• Efficacy and Usage of Pain Assessments in Children with Cognitive Impairments
• Effective Interventions to Minimize Sleep Disruptions in the Acute Care Setting: An Integrative Review of Literature
• Evaluating the Efficacy of Screening Methods for Alcohol Use in Pregnancy
• Impact of Early Cannabis Use on The Adolescent Brain
• Impact of Resiliency and Self-Care Training on Student Nurses
• Infusion of Creativity and Digital Literacy Skills into Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology
• Mentorship as a Prescription for Burnout: A Study of Newly Graduated Registered Nurses
• Motherless: Maternal Mortality in Birthing People of Color
• Non-pharmacological Verses Pharmacological Pain Management Effectiveness in Adult Acute Care Patients
• Nursing Interventions for Patients with Visual Impairments: An Integrative Review of Literature
• Pediatric Emergency Nurses' Experiences in Communicating with Patients and Families with Limited-English Proficiency
• Side Effects and More: How To Increase HCAHPS Scores
• There’s No Place Like Home: A Mobility Initiative
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Gamma Nu Provides Annual Christmas Dinner to Magnificat Home
Once again, Gamma Nu helped the women of Magnificat Home in Jersey City celebrate Christmas with our annual dinner and gifts. Seton Hall College of Nursing faculty and Gamma Nu members generously donated money for the gifts, and each woman received a gift bag with assorted toiletries, socks, gloves, snacks and a Walgreen’s gift card. GN member Kim Conway delivered the gift bags in person and the dinner was catered by a local restaurant. Thank you for your ongoing support!
In a letter of appreciation, the Magnificat Home director wrote:
Our ladies enjoyed the delicious, generous meal you provided in December, along with the gifts. I can tell you our residents enjoyed a festive and happy Christmas due to your kindness. It is a pleasure being part of Magnificat Home, largely because of the positive energies coming from your group and others. May you all enjoy God’s choicest blessings in this coming year.
Magnificat Home currently houses 15 previously homeless women. In addition to the annual Christmas party, Gamma Nu supports the home throughout the year with gifts of household supplies and other requested items. Click here to learn more about Magnificat Home.
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In Memoriam
Mary Ann Scharf (1948-2023)
Mary Ann Scharf, Ed.D, RN, passed away on November 26, 2023. She was a Founding Member of Gamma Nu Chapter and its President from 1986-88. Mary Ann was also the Founding President of the NJ Consortium of Sigma Theta Tau Chapters. A faculty member at Seton Hall College of Nursing from 1972-2018, she served as Director of the Patient Care and Simulation Labs for her last few years.
Many current Gamma Nu members have fond memories of Mary Ann and her dedication to students, Sigma and Gamma Nu. She was a tireless volunteer and a wealth of Sigma knowledge and Gamma Nu history. Mary Ann's Obituary can be found here.
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Patricia Hubert Attends Sigma Convention as
Gamma Nu Delegate
The 47th Sigma Biennial Convention was held on November 11-15, 2023 in San Antonio, Tx. Gamma Nu’s delegate was Dr. Patricia Hubert, Adjunct Professor of Nursing at Seton Hall and Caldwell Universities. Pat was excited to attend and participated in many engaging and thought-provoking educational presentations, poster sessions and social events. She also enjoyed San Antonio’s sights, sounds and food!
Sigma requires each chapter to appoint delegate(s) but allows one delegate to fill both slots. As a delegate Pat attended the House of Delegate sessions during which resolutions were presented for discussion and voting. New officers were also elected. Amita Avadhani, a Seton Hall CON alumna, was reelected as Region 14 Coordinator.
Gamma Nu is grateful for Pat’s service to Gamma Nu, where she also chairs the Leadership Succession Committee and is always ready to assist with events and activities.
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Gamma Nu Donates and Stuffs Backpacks
for Newark Schoolchildren
Gamma Nu donated 32 backpacks for kids in Newark and several members helped to stuff these and other donated packs. The backpack drive was spearheaded by the Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness (DHCW), which operates several clinics for local residents. The Mary Eliza Mahoney and Speedwell Clinics are the experiential training sites for Seton Hall nurse practitioner students participating in the Nurse-led Mobile Health Training Program. The backpacks were distributed to the children at the Health Fair sponsored by the DHCW in late August, which resulted in many excited faces.
Twana Irby (DHCW Staff), Sharon Dobrina (SHU Staff), Gamma Nu Members Patricia Hubert, Mary Pat Wall and Lori Wilt, DHCW Staff Member
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Gamma Nu Inducts New Members
Gamma Nu's Annual Induction Ceremony and Dinner was held on April 30, 2023 in Bethany Hall on the South Orange Campus. We congratulate an welcome our 57 new members. Maryanne Barra-Schneider, Vice-President, chaired the event which many others helped to make successful. The keynote address, Transforming Healthcare with the Next Generation of Nurse Leaders, was delivered by Katherine Connolly, DNP, APN-C, Assistant Clinical Professor at the College of Nursing and Associate Director of Seton Hall's Buccino Leadership Institute.
We welcomed these new members from the Graduate, Traditional and Second-Degree BSN Programs:
Miriam F. Alper
Kathleen Ambrosio
Laila S. Andino
Madeleine A. Anton
Heidy Solangel Aviles
Katelyn Caniero
Katherine Renee Cassamassino
Lindsey Jeffie Ciaccio
Hailey DiGiuseppe Erdmann
Lauren K. Gates
Nina R. Giangrande
Wendy L. Gonzales
Sara Elizabeth Gutter
Stephany M. Guzman
Danielle Nicole Hallacker
Stephanie Marie Hanvey
Patricia Horan
On Hea Lee
Majada Hussain
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Nita Ibrahim
Haylee Rose Intiso
Alicia John
Tariq M. Khairullah
Anila Korca
Lauren Elizabeth Krug
Katelyn Elizabeth Longo
Stephanie Elizabeth Longo
Carolyn Lowry
Stephanie Nicole Martinez
Olivia Erin McCue
Shahlina McDermott
Julia Cady McGowan
Cindy Josephine Orlowski
Kailey A. Paieda
Trisha C. Palacio
Jinu Elizabeth Paulose
Isabella N. Raineri
Kyle Reyes
Elizabeth Romano
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Valerie L. Ruberto
Emy Seeley
Gianna Setteducati
Nikia Sharp
Emma N. Sheeler
Sigal Shenker
Sara M. Siddiqui
Sumaiyah M. Siddiqui
Tara L. Specht
Lauren M. Spilletti
Eric J. Suss
Emoni l. Tolliver
Kaitlyn E. Vega
Angelise I. Vera
Alexandria R. Vitarelli
Julia M. Wilson
Shannon Woods
Mary M. Wojcik
Betty Zuniga
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At the Induction Ceremony, Maryanne Barra-Schneider awarded the annual scholarships and research awards. This year, the scholarships were named in honor of Carolyn Rummel, a Gamma Nu Founding Member who passed away last year. Congratulations to this year's Carolyn F. Rummel Scholarship recipients; each received $500:
Sara Gutter
Stephanie Hanvey
Ami Patel
This year's recipients of the 2023 Francisca Champion Research Awards are:
Loriann Palmieri
Diane Logan
Luz-Patricia Torres
The Gamma Nu Joy of Nursing Service Award was presented to Dr. Diane McClure, a Gamma Nu Past-President of Gamma Nu. Dr. McClure was recognized for her unfailing willingness to serve the Chapter in many capacities.
Congratulations to All!
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Gamma Nu's 40th Anniversary
Gamma Nu Chapter celebrated its 40th Anniversary on April 28, 2018 with Mass in Immaculate Conception Chapel followed by brunch in the University Center. Guests included several founding members and past presidents.
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Gamma Nu Founding Members pose with the chapter's Charter in front of a display of Gamma Nu memorabilia. Pictured (L to R): Linda Ulak, Mary Ann Scharf, Josephine DeVito, Maura Ryan and Carolyn Rummel |
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Five Gamma Nu Past Presidents were able to attend the 40th Anniversary Celebration. Pictured are Diane McClure (then President), Mary Ann Scharf (1986-1988), Josephine DeVito (2006-2008), Brenda Petersen (2008-2010), Wendy Budin (1998-2000) and Carolyn Rummel (1990-1992 and 2012-2014) |