Upcoming Events
Recent Alumni Events
2025 White Coat and Scholarship Awards Ceremony
August 23, 2025 - Syracuse, NY - The Upstate College of Nursing proudly hosted its annual White Coat Ceremony on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the Onondaga County Civic Center. This meaningful event celebrated approximately 60 students as they marked an important milestone in their nursing education and professional journeys.
The ceremony brought together students, faculty, alumni, and families in recognition of the dedication and compassion that define the nursing profession. A highlight of the evening was the symbolic presentation of white coats, signifying each student’s commitment to patient care, ethical practice, and professional integrity.
Dr. Mantosh Dewan, President of Upstate Medical University, addressed the students with words of encouragement and inspiration as they embark on this next step in their careers. His message reinforced the profound impact that nurses have on patients, families, and communities.
Congratulations to all of our students who participated in this year’s White Coat Ceremony. The Upstate College of Nursing Alumni Association is proud to celebrate your achievements and looks forward to supporting your continued growth and success in the field of nursing.
WHITE COAT ROCK HITS ALL THE RIGHT NOTES!
SPINAL CHORDS ARE PROOF THAT DOCS CAN ROCK.
May 15, 2025 - If you weren’t at Funk ’n Waffles on May 15th, you definitely missed something special.
White Coat Rock, a first-of-its-kind benefit concert hosted by the Upstate Nursing and College of Health Professions Alumni Associations, brought the house down with live music, Upstate pride, and serious support for student scholarships. The event sold out in advance and filled the iconic Syracuse venue with energy, laughter, and a crowd that was ready to cheer for their favorite healthcare rock stars.
The show kicked off with Spinal Chords, a high-voltage band made up of Upstate faculty, staff, and students. The crowd couldn’t get enough of powerhouse vocalist Olivia Laniak, a medical student who brought both talent and stage presence to every song. She was joined by a stacked lineup of Upstate talent: medical students Jian Li on keyboards and Humza Khan on guitar, Shaun Sergott from Neurology on guitar, Dr. Mike Vertino (Department of Neurology) on bass, and on drums—none other than Dr. Larry Chin, Chair of Neurosurgery and Dean of the College of Medicine.
Local favorite, Jam Theory, followed and rocked us into the night with a setlist that kept the crowd on its feet until the final note.
The night was more than just a good time - it was a meaningful celebration of our Upstate community and a powerful way to give back. All proceeds from the concert support scholarship and other initiatives benefitting the College of Nursing and College of Health Professions.
Photos from White Coat Rock courtesy of B. Fitz Photograpy
Find them on Facebook and Instagram @B.Fitz.Photography
COLLEGE OF NURSING DEAN'S RECEPTION 2025
COLLEGE OF NURSING CELEBRATES GRADUATES AT ANNUAL DEAN’S RECEPTION
May 3, 2025 - The College of Nursing held its annual Dean’s Reception at SKY Armory in downtown Syracuse to honor graduating students on the eve of commencement. This year, 42 students were celebrated for completing their nursing degrees. The program included congratulatory remarks from Dean Tammy Austin-Ketch, PhD, FNP-BC, FAANP, along with student addresses, residency certificate presentations, and the announcement of the 2025 Student Marshal. A highlight of the afternoon was the recognition of this year’s DAISY Award recipients, introduced by Caitlin Nye, PhD, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CHSE.
The Upstate Nursing Alumni Association was proud to support this special milestone, continuing its commitment to fostering community and celebrating academic achievement. The event provided an opportunity for faculty, alumni, and students to connect in a meaningful way and marked the transition from student to professional for the next generation of nurse leaders. Congratulations to the Class of 2025!
See more photos <Link coming soon>
DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE POSTER SHOWCASE
CELEBRATING DNP STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS AT THE 2025 POSTER SHOWCASE
Congratulations to our Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students on a successful 2025 DNP Poster Showcase! Held on March 25, 2025, this event highlighted the incredible work of our students as they presented their final scholarly projects - evidence-based initiatives designed to address real-world healthcare challenges and improve patient care.
The evening began with welcome remarks from Dr. Suzanne Sullivan and Dr. Lori-Jeanne West, followed by compelling presentations from DNP students Kayla Butler and Jayne Vamvakias. Their projects exemplified the DNP program’s focus on translating research into clinical practice, showcasing innovative approaches to improving healthcare outcomes.
A panel discussion featuring Dr. Aisha Lubega, Dr. Kristen Soper, Dr. Sheri Stone, and Dr. Caitlin Tomko provided further insight into the impact of evidence-based practice in nursing. Dean Tammy Austin-Ketch, commended the students for their dedication and contributions to the future of nursing.
The event continued with a poster session, where attendees had the opportunity to engage with students about their projects, which covered a wide range of topics aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery.
Congratulations to all our DNP students on this major milestone!
See more photos here