Welcome to the Upstate Nursing Alumni Association! 

Serving more than 3,000 alumni living and working coast-to-coast across the United States.

MISSION

The Nursing Alumni Association enhances educational excellence for Upstate’s nursing students and supports the professional development of alumni, students, and faculty in order to positively influence the health of our community.

We accomplish this by supporting scholarships, continuing education and clinical skills workshops, student professional enrichment opportunities, and other priority needs of the College of Nursing and our alumni community.

VALUES

Integrity • Professional Excellence • Lifelong Learning • Service • Inclusion • Mentorship • Community

 

MEMBERSHIP

All students of the College of Nursing are automatically members of the Nursing Alumni Association. From their first day as a student through every stage of their professional journey, graduates remain part of a strong, supportive, and engaged Upstate nursing community.

The association fosters meaningful connections between alumni, students, and faculty while creating opportunities for mentorship, networking, and continued professional growth.

OUR COMMITMENT TO STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

The Nursing Alumni Association is proud to support scholarships that help reduce financial barriers and empower the next generation of nurses. Thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends, these scholarships recognize academic achievement, leadership, and dedication to compassionate patient care.

SUPPORTING NURSING EXCELLENCE

Gifts to the Nursing Alumni Association help strengthen the College of Nursing and enhance the alumni experience through scholarships, student programming, professional development opportunities, alumni engagement events, and emerging needs of the college.

Thank you for supporting Upstate nurses — past, present, and future. 

MAKE A GIFT NOW


 

ALUMNI NEWS AND UPDATES 


 

WHITE COAT ROCK: TAKE 2 ROCKS DOWNTOWN SYRACUSE

White Coat Rock: Take 2 (and call me in the morning) returned to Funk ’n Waffles on April 15 for a high-energy night of live music and community impact. The evening kicked off with special guests Southbound Train, whose mix of country and classic rock favorites set the tone for the night. Upstate Medical University’s own Spinal Chords followed with two full sets, featuring a dynamic lineup of students, faculty, and staff—including several new student members who brought fresh energy to the stage.

From powerhouse vocals to standout guitar and sax performances, the band kept the crowd engaged all night long in a packed venue. Beyond the music, the event supported Upstate Nursing and College of Health Professions students, helping fund the future of healthcare in Central New York.

Spinal chords on stage

 


 

 

2026 DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE POSTER SHOWCASE

Dr. Dewan looks on at a presentation by a DNP Candidate

Dr. Mantosh Dewan looks on as a DNP candadate presents their work

DNP STUDENTS PRESENT INNOVATIVE PROJECTS AT 2026 SHOWCASE

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The College of Nursing proudly celebrated its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students at the 2026 DNP Poster Showcase, held April 7 at the Central New York Biotech Accelerator. The annual event highlighted the culmination of students’ scholarly work, featuring evidence-based projects aimed at addressing real-world healthcare challenges and improving patient outcomes.

The evening began with registration, poster viewing, and refreshments, followed by welcome and opening remarks from Emery Briggs and Jennifer Vaughn. Their remarks set the tone for an evening centered on innovation, collaboration, and the advancement of nursing practice.

Student presentations followed, with Lourdes Fulcomer, Breanna Lopez, Michael Schneider, and Lauren Wolff sharing their scholarly projects. Each presentation reflected the DNP program’s emphasis on translating research into practice, offering practical solutions to complex issues in healthcare delivery.

A panel discussion featuring Tess Bernardo, McKenna Burgwin, Kayla Butler, and Aisha Lubega provided additional perspective on the role of evidence-based practice in shaping the future of nursing. Panelists discussed the challenges and opportunities facing today’s healthcare professionals and emphasized the importance of continued innovation in clinical settings.

Closing remarks and recognition were delivered by Spencer Champagne, acting director of the Nursing Alumni Association, who commended the students for their dedication, perseverance, and contributions to the profession, and welcomed them into the community of Upstate nursing alums.

The event concluded with a poster viewing session, where attendees engaged directly with students including Leslie Burdick, Rachel Clement, Courtney Davis, Sundus Imam, Julia Kosowsky, Amy Lukacz, Kateryna Onufriychuk, Francesco Tangredi, Erica Wall, Matthew West, and others. The session provided an opportunity for meaningful discussion around projects addressing a wide range of healthcare topics.

The 2026 DNP Poster Showcase served as a powerful reminder of the impact of doctoral-level nursing education and the vital role DNP-prepared nurses play in improving patient care and advancing the healthcare system.

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