Saying Thanks & Raising Awareness
Today and all throughout the year, the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College salutes the strength and the fortitude of nurses and those working in healthcare who are part of our alumnae community and beyond. Thank you for all you do.

During May, the American Nurses Association helps elevate and celebrate nursing during National Nurses Week, May 6-12, 2022, as well as during its month-long recognition.

May is also Mental Health Awareness Month. We join in raising awareness about the importance of mental health and its impact on the well-being of children, adults, families, and communities everywhere. Thank you to the dedicated mental health providers whose service and support improve the lives of those who may be experiencing stress, trauma, anxiety, depression or other concerns.

We are pleased to share the stories of three alumnae who are making a difference in healthcare. We have witnessed how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our alumnae community and the world. We have seen how providers have faced new challenges and worked tirelessly to ensure that people receive the care they need.
Gaining Experience During the Pandemic

Jasmine Hossain, Class of 2013, BSN, RN, is a Clinical Nurse I at Hackensack University Medical Center near her hometown of Teaneck, New Jersey.

As an undergraduate, Jasmine studied public health and later went to nursing school at DeSales University in Pennsylvania, becoming a Registered Nurse in 2018. She was new to the profession at the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"When the pandemic came along, it sped up my nursing experience in a hospital setting," says Jasmine, pictured wearing a mask.

Although Jasmine recounts that it was overwhelming at first, she says the pandemic "brought a sense of everyone working together and helping one another out."

The environment was one where "everything happened very rapidly and you just had to learn some of the new equipment and vital procedures that came with COVID," she says.

Currently, Jasmine is a nurse in the NICU, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She is also a leader in her community. She serves as Chair of the New Nurses Council, which provides a safe space for new nurses to discuss issues, policies and resources, and to connect with other nurses starting out.
Mental Health and Well Being at the Forefront

Elena Shu, Class of 2011, FNP-C, is a Nurse Practitioner with Cerebral, a mental health telemedicine provider, where she works in a remote capacity from her home. She made the switch recently after working at the University of Maryland Faculty Physicians Incorporated in Baltimore. In this position she provided primary and urgent care for graduate students in the medical, law and dental schools, among others. It was there that Elena saw the emergence of a growing need for mental health care. She decided to pursue her latest position with Cerebral, which provides access to mental health care online and via a mobile app.

"I became very concerned about how many people would come to the clinic who were struggling mentally and yet no one closest to them had any idea," says Elena.

Elena says she perceived a gradual shift when the pandemic happened and patients seemed to feel more comfortable talking and "mental well-being overall came to the forefront."

"It was very rewarding to help students whose families, roommates and friends were often unaware of their suffering," she says.

At Douglass, Elena studied public health, minored in French and lived in the French House. She went on to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing from Edinboro University, practiced in nursing for two years before pursuing Nurse Practitioner school at Widener University, both in Pennsylvania.
Advancing Nursing Through Advocacy and Equity

Winifred V. Quinn, Class of 1986, Ph.D., FAANP(h), FAAN(H), is dedicated to advancing nursing through her advocacy and work in public policy. As the Director of Advocacy and Consumer Affairs for the Center to Champion Nursing in America (CCNA), she focuses on advancing nurses’ rights to serve patients to the full extent of their education and training. CCNA is an initiative of AARP Foundation, AARP and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and runs the "Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action," an initiative of the same organizations.

Winifred says her work has roots in her personal experience as a family caregiver. "The experience of caring for my parents in their later years inspires me to this day," she says.

Diversifying nursing is another body of work that Winifred leads. "It comes down to equity and improving care for historically underserved communities being represented in the clinical sectors so they are more likely to get the quality care that they need," Winifred says.

To achieve health equity and reduce disparities she notes, it is vital to encourage more individuals to pursue nursing, which she says "is a very effective career ladder and can provide a financially-secure profession."

Following Douglass, Winifred earned a Ph.D. in Health Communication from Rutgers University School of Communication and Information. Last fall, she was named an honorary fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. She was inducted as an honorary fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners in 2018, and the American Academy of Medicine last year. 

We are inspired by the commitment and sacrifice of those from our alumnae community who are working to improve the lives of others. We would like to hear from more alumnae in the healthcare field. Please email us at douglassalumnae@douglassalumnae.org to share your story with our AADC community.
AADC 100th Anniversary Proud History to Bright Future Gala
Join us for the AADC 100th Anniversary Proud History to Bright Future Gala on Saturday, June 11, at the East Brunswick Hilton Hotel. We will feature keynote speaker Cheri Beasley ’88, Former Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court and the first African American woman to lead the Court. Purchase your tickets online today!
For nearly 100 years, the AADC has been proudly alumnae-created, Alumnae-led, Alumnae-driven, and Alumnae-supported. Join in the Countdown to 100 by contributing toward AADC Proud History to Bright Future. www.douglassalumnae.org/MakeAGift.
The AADC Annual Appeal is not on behalf of NJC, DRC, Douglass or Rutgers.

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