Dean's Message

Dear Alumni and Friends,

Greetings!

Each year as we move toward fall, I like to take a moment to reflect on the past academic year. I am always impressed by the many accomplishments of our alumni, faculty, students and staff, each of which inspires opportunities to build, grow and meet new challenges.

We are proud to announce that our baccalaureate, master’s, doctor of nursing practice and post-graduate advanced practice registered nurse certificate programs have been granted full 10-year accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. This is a testament to the strength of our academic programs. We are proud that students’ NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates in 2017 are over 95 percent. We are committed to providing our students with an exemplary education to prepare our graduates to lead in research, education, practice and service.

Nursing as a profession stands at a crossroads. In the midst of a growing nursing shortage – both in practice and education – we must face the challenges of preparing our future professionals to deliver quality care while continuing to discover and promote cutting-edge research.

The health care landscape has shifted focus to the health of individuals and communities in a global context. This transformation affords us many opportunities for growth and advancement as we prepare our students to become culturally sensitive leaders who strive to improve wellness and translate discoveries to enhance health.

This magazine issue includes some of our emerging research on population health and caring for the vulnerable and the voiceless, including our aged and underserved populations. You will read about coordinated care models to better deliver quality care to our patients, their families and our community.

Our innovative initiatives on advancing clinical simulation and interprofessional and global education offer a glimpse of what is on the horizon for improving health care delivery and patient outcomes.

I also want to make special mention of Donna Tyrpak’s retirement this summer. She has been a treasured member of the SON. For the past six years she has served as our marketing, communications and alumni director, and the architect of our exceptional UBNursing magazine. Donna is the consummate nurse, who rallies others around her, works collaboratively, mentors and has put the SON on the map. We will miss Donna, but she is leaving us in good hands with Sarah Goldthrite, the co-editor of this magazine. Please join me in wishing Donna a spectacular retirement as she plans her next great adventure.

Finally, as we embark on our Boldly Buffalo fundraising campaign, we invite everyone — alumni, friends, faculty, students, staff, parents and community partners — to consider supporting important causes that will change the lives of our students and improve our community and our world. There has never been a better time to invest in UB Nursing.

I hope you find our work stimulating, and I invite you to become one of the voices influencing the future of nursing.

Sincerely,

Marsha L. Lewis, PhD, RN, FAAN