Elms College proudly attended the 10th Annual New England Minority Nurse Leadership Conference and Gala on November 9th, a prestigious event celebrating the leadership, achievements, and contributions of minority nurses across the region. This year’s conference brought together an inspiring mix of Elms alumni, faculty, and students, all united in advancing diversity in nursing.
Among the conference organizers was Elms alumna Ruth Amador, MSN, RN ’13, who played a key role as a coordinator. Dr. Yolanda Marrow ’23 and Dr. Lola Rios ’23, recent Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) graduates, showcased their Elms College DNP projects, sharing research and insights with peers from across New England. Dr. Anne Mistivar ’21 and Lousemie Duvernat, a graduate of the Elms Haiti Nursing Program, were also in attendance, further demonstrating the college’s strong presence in the field.
Dr. Julie Beck, Dean of the School of Nursing, Dr. Deana Nunes ’94 ’18, Associate Dean, and Andrea Maldonado-Burgos, a senior accelerated-second degree nursing student, attended the event. Together, they celebrated the many accomplishments of minority nurse leaders and reinforced Elms College’s commitment to supporting diversity in healthcare.
One of the evening’s most moving moments was the address from Virginia Allen. Dr Virginia Allen is a trailblazing nurse and the last surviving member of the “Black Angels”. A name patients gave the Black nurses recruited to care for quarantined tuberculosis patients from 1928 to 1960 at the height of the epidemic. Her story, alongside those of other inspiring speakers, resonated deeply with attendees, leaving everyone energized to continue the work of advancing healthcare.
Elms College is proud to see our alumni and faculty making such meaningful contributions to the nursing profession, embodying the values of leadership, service, and social justice.
