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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

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

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

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)

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Chapter News

  • Please join Gamma Nu for Induction

    All Gamma Nu members are cordially invited to attend Gamma Nu's 2024 Induction Ceremony.

    A brunch, followed by the ceremony will be held on Sunday April 14h at 11 am in the University Center, South Orange campus.  Our keynote speaker will be Gloria Chan, Vice President of Sigma Theta Tau. 

    f you would like to attend, please send your name and a check (payable to Gamma Nu Chapter) for $35.00 (by March 31) to: 

    Dr. Lori Wilt

    1 Long House Rd

    Warwick, NY 10990

  • Save the Date for Founders Day

    SAVE THE DATE

    NJ Consortium of Sigma Chapters Founders Day Celebration

    Sunday September 29, 2024

    12:00 PM

    Metuchen Inn, Metuchen NJ

    Speaker, Ticket information, Cost TBA

    Please look out for upcoming emails/information regarding this event and the NJ Consortium including:

          Award application

          Abstract submission for Keynote speaker

          NJ Consortium Dues payment due date

  • Research Award and Scholarship Applications Open

    All Gamma Nu members are invited to apply for a Francisca Champion Research Award and/or Carolyn Rummel Scholarship (undergraduate and graduate).

    Please contact Maryanne Barra-Schneider for additional information and applications. (maryanne.barraschneider@shu.edu)

  • The 2023-24 Board of Directors/Leadership Team

    President: Katherine Black
    Vice-President/President Elect: Maryanne Barra-Schneider
    Treasurer: Lori Wilt
    Recording Secretaries: Afua Ampiaw and Susan Darby
    Corresponding Secretary: Susan Darby
    Counselor/Governance Committee Chairperson: Luz-Patricia Torres
    Governance Committee: Carmen Cruz-Torres, Diane McClure
    Leadership Succession Committee: Patricia Hubert (Chair), Michele Davide, Loriann Palmieri
    Reinkemeyer Research Day: Beth Jameson, Nancy Bohnarczyk, Caroline Meza, Ivonne Guzman

    Induction Committee: Diane McClure (Chair), Katherine Black, Carmen Cruz-Torres, Ivonne Guzman

    Awards/Scholarships: Maryanne Barra-Schneider, Denise Warren-Simmons, Susan Cacciola
    Membership Involvement: Kathryn Paterek
    NJ Consortium and Region 14 Representative: Katherine Black

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