Dean's Message

Dear University at Buffalo School of Nursing Community,

I hope this message finds you and your loved ones well. Each year, we look back to celebrate the advancements and achievements of our school, alumni and community – we discuss the challenges we have identified and have overcome or are working to overcome, applaud awards and accolades, and look forward to our continued growth and evolution.

To say life in 2020 has been challenging is an understatement. We as a nation have faced a series of crises, some unprecedented for our lifetime, some, tragically and horrifyingly, that we have seen played out in repeat across our screens for decades, that have been ingrained in this country since its inception.

The COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged our nation, our health care system and our economy. Those communities and individuals who are disproportionately susceptible to economic and health challenges, particularly the Black community and other communities of color, have been even more exposed to the elements of a system that has and continues to fail to help the most vulnerable.

In response, the SON has conducted open forums with faculty and with students to gain their perspectives and insights. Our Diversity and Inclusion Committee, chaired by our Unit Diversity Officer, Amy Hequembourg, has enlisted faculty, staff and students to develop programming to inform and change the culture of our SON. Two particular areas are the focus at this time include mentorship and curriculum revision to better represent and serve people of color. This will be an ongoing commitment.

The exposure and amplification of these justice, equity, diversity and inclusion issues has been painful. It has been stressful. It has been trying. But there is an opportunity here for nurses to continue to do good and to strive to do better.

In March when all SUNY courses moved online in response to the spread of COVID-19, our school came together to continue to provide our students with a high-quality education and to guide them toward success. Our faculty and staff mobilized and nimbly adjusted as circumstances changed day-to-day to ensure a continuation of coursework, labs and simulation in a virtual format. We worked closely with our community partners and university community to ensure the safety of our students as they made a gradual return to clinicals and in-person labs and simulation. We provided our entire SON community with resources for self-care and mental health and supported and guided individual students through their own unique situations and challenges.

I could not be prouder of our faculty and staff for pulling together and putting in long hours for our students. I am also so very proud of our students for their resilience – nursing school is challenging under normal circumstances, and our students showed their determination and passion for the profession by forging ahead whilst balancing new challenges at work and at home. I am very grateful to our alumni and donors who showed financial and moral support for our students through our Julia Buscaglia Student Support Fund and through their messages of love and support for our virtual commencement and Nurses Month.

During a year the World Health Organization designated as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, nurses across our nation and the globe demonstrated just how vital they are to the stability and health of our communities. So many of our colleagues served on the front line of the pandemic, others pushed forward caring for their patients amid these extreme circumstances, and our researchers forged ahead where possible or pivoted toward research to address various aspects of COVID-19.

In this issue, you will find many of these stories of strength, love, resilience and sacrifice, in addition to some changes and

advancements we have made before and during the pandemic. You will also find information about the many adjustments our school has made, from spring to fall to summer, to create a safe learning environment in which our students can succeed.

Thank you, nurses, for showing the world our strength and importance. I have never been so proud to be a member of this most noble and trusted profession.

Warm regards,

Marsha L. Lewis, PhD, RN, FAAN Dean and Professor
University at Buffalo School of Nursing