Meet our 2011 Robert Wood Johnson Scholars!
“I'm 23, from Central New York, and received my first bachelor's degree from UB in Psychology. I worked for some time in group homes for people with developmental disabilities during my studies and realized that nursing would be a great fit for me. I chose UB's School of Nursing after advice from a previous student and determining that I'd like to stay in Buffalo. The nursing school is well-recognized and prepares students for their clinical work. Finding out I was a RWJ scholar was an amazing surprise and helped make studying with the accelerated program a financial possibility.
-Julie Wisniewski
“My passion for healthcare motivated me to do an in depth amount of research on nursing. Being a newcomer to this country with a degree from a foreign country, I found the accelerated baccalaureate (ABS) program to be the best program to provide me with the skills and knowledge that I need to pursue my career as a nurse. I chose University at Buffalo school of Nursing, because of well-structured curriculum, experienced staff and clinical exposure it has for students. The Nursing school incorporates some of the most updated technological advances in its education such as simulation learning. This will help keep nurses up to date and well prepared for the future technological advancements in the medical world.”
“The RWJ scholarship is a great honor for me. Not only is it a great financial help to me, but it has been a great motivational force as well. Leadership programs will most definitely help me perform all my crucial roles as a nurse including patient care, critical thinking and advocating for the patient. It has also increased my responsibility to work harder, reduce health care errors and to prepare myself to serve nursing as an efficient health care worker.”
-Gurpreet Kaur
“I selected UB SON because UB has a great reputation for nursing. I have a few friends and family members who talked highly of the program that they were in. I also chose UB SON because it offers this accelerated program, which was a plus for someone who has already completed four years of college.”
“Being a RWJ scholar has impacted my professional nursing career because it has allowed me to be able to afford the finances of the program. It has also allowed me to attend various leadership seminars and events. I am honored to be a RWJ scholar and look forward to sharing the opportunities it arises for me in the nursing program.”
-Amanda Marks
“I decided to attend UB's School of Nursing because of the great reputation that the school had. I heard from friends and family that all of the health care professional schools at UB were excellent, offering great professors, facilities and future opportunity. The Robert Wood Foundation Scholarship has greatly helped me in my nursing experience by providing interesting meetings that have helped me to learn leadership skills that I have already started to use. I have also been able to use the tools to find out my strengths and weaknesses in order to improve myself as a person and a leader. The funding that the Robert Wood Foundation has provided has also made my transition of moving hundreds of miles away much easier on my family and I.”
-Adam A. Sollazzo
“The University at Buffalo's School of Nursing was my first choice for my nursing education. Between the detailed website and my informative visit to the school, I quickly realized the ABS program was for me. The SON blends new technology, evidence based practice, research, and meaningful clinical experiences into a comprehensive curriculum that I find challenging, but enjoyable.”
“Finding out I was selected to be a Robert Wood Johnson Scholar was a source of immense pride and relief. The burden of paying for my schooling was eased, and I knew I would be able to focus solely on school for the first time in my life. The additional details, like leadership training and mentoring, only added to my joy. I am so thankful to both the University at Buffalo and the RWJ Foundation for this opportunity and I'm excited to bring my experience and skill set with me in my future career as a Registered Nurse.”
- Heather Maiman