Meet the Nursing Students' Association of New York's (NSANYS)
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Board of Directors, back row left to right, front row left to right: Sarah Ebrahim (Community Health Director), Helen Pham (President), Grace Anne Crockett (Co-Vice President), Megan Scali (Co-Vice President), Nicole Contreras (Breakthrough to Nursing Director), Mary Andrews (Nominations and Elections Director), Julianne Martin (Treasurer), Kezia Varughese (Secretary), Ali Merenstein, Katherine Kacherovsky (STAT Editor). |
HELEN PHAM, PRESIDENT
Helen Pham is currently a sophomore pursuing her BSN degree in the Barbara H. Hagan School of Nursing program at Molloy College in Rockville Centre, NY. She is from East Northport, NY and has a younger sister, Brittney. Helen is a first-generation Vietnamese-American and will be the first nurse in her family.
At Molloy College, Helen is a Student Ambassador, Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) Ambassador/Mentor, and also serves as the Breakthrough-to-Nursing Director for the Molloy Nursing Student Association (MNSA). She is employed as Medical Assistant in a Pediatric office, but in her free time, she likes to disconnect from social media and enjoy the beauty of nature by traveling and exploring.
Helen began her journey with the Nursing Students’ Association of New York State (NSANYS) in her freshman year as the Community Health Director. She is ecstatic and ready to grow as a leader in her new role as President. Helen was inspired by nursing student leaders and wishes to instill the same inspiration among other nursing students. Helen has attended NSANYS 1st and 2nd Annual Council of State Leaders (COSL) Meetings, NSANYS 65th and 66th Annual Conventions, NSNA's 65th and 66th Annual Convention, and NSNA's 35th Midyear Convention. She is happy to inform you that the of leaders, elected for the 2018-2019 term, is a passionate, focused, and diverse one, who will contribute to a successful year.
Helen encourages all to reach out to the NSANYS Board of Directors as a resource for anything from creating a new chapter at your school to asking for ideas to increase participation. The next opportunity to network and brainstorm with other nursing students in person, will be at our 3rd Annual Council of State Leaders Meeting in Albany, NY in October 2019, so be on the lookout!
“It does not take a big commitment to make a big impact, but if all of the nursing students in NYS teamed up, there is no telling the enormity of what we can accomplish together.” -Helen Pham
At Molloy College, Helen is a Student Ambassador, Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) Ambassador/Mentor, and also serves as the Breakthrough-to-Nursing Director for the Molloy Nursing Student Association (MNSA). She is employed as Medical Assistant in a Pediatric office, but in her free time, she likes to disconnect from social media and enjoy the beauty of nature by traveling and exploring.
Helen began her journey with the Nursing Students’ Association of New York State (NSANYS) in her freshman year as the Community Health Director. She is ecstatic and ready to grow as a leader in her new role as President. Helen was inspired by nursing student leaders and wishes to instill the same inspiration among other nursing students. Helen has attended NSANYS 1st and 2nd Annual Council of State Leaders (COSL) Meetings, NSANYS 65th and 66th Annual Conventions, NSNA's 65th and 66th Annual Convention, and NSNA's 35th Midyear Convention. She is happy to inform you that the of leaders, elected for the 2018-2019 term, is a passionate, focused, and diverse one, who will contribute to a successful year.
Helen encourages all to reach out to the NSANYS Board of Directors as a resource for anything from creating a new chapter at your school to asking for ideas to increase participation. The next opportunity to network and brainstorm with other nursing students in person, will be at our 3rd Annual Council of State Leaders Meeting in Albany, NY in October 2019, so be on the lookout!
“It does not take a big commitment to make a big impact, but if all of the nursing students in NYS teamed up, there is no telling the enormity of what we can accomplish together.” -Helen Pham
GRACE ANNE CROCKETT, CO-VICE PRESIDENT
Grace Anne Crockett, from Howard Beach, Queens, is currently pursuing her BSN at Molloy College. Along with fulfilling her general major requirements, Grace Anne Crockett is also a student in the Honors Program. Grace is involved in many things on her campus, which led to her taking on this leadership position on the Board of Directors of NSANYS. Along with her new role, Grace is also a Division II Track athlete, the Vice President of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, the Junior Class President of Molloy Student Government, a Student Ambassador, Orientation Leader, and a Resident Assistant. Along with her on campus involvement, Grace loves to travel and study abroad. She has gone on three global learning trips which included visits to Salzburg, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, and Greece on top of her travel with family and friends. For NSANYS, Grace plans to be a resource for the Nursing Student community. As a resource, she is open to questions and concerns to make this organization an asset to developing the students into competent nurses. She wants to bring more nursing student representatives to next year’s convention from more nursing programs so the students have an opportunity to network. Through all of these experiences, Grace hopes to gain the leadership and skills necessary to continue her journey in becoming a Pediatric Nurse.
MEGAN SCALI, CO-VICE PRESIDENT
Megan Scali is a junior nursing student in the Honors program at Molloy College, Barbara H. Hagan school of Nursing in Rockville Centre, New York. She is very excited to represent nursing students all over New York State as a co-Vice President on the 2018/2019 Nursing Students Association of New York State Board of Directors! At Molloy College, Megan plays Division II Tennis, is a Resident Assistant, a member of Molloy Student Government, a Student Ambassador, a Youth Representative for the United Nations and an Orientation Leader. In high school, Megan volunteered her time to work with special needs children at the Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Cold Spring, NY which inspired her to pursue a career in the medical field.
As co-Vice President, Megan hopes to inspire other nursing students to be involved with their school student nursing association chapters and with the state and national organizations as well. She wants to involve more students with the planning of the Annual Convention and highlight the amazing things they all do. Megan is excited to share her passion for nursing with NSANYS members!
In her free time, Megan enjoys hiking, hanging out with her three sisters (Emma, Kristin and Hanna), dog and chickens while studying to become a nurse on a cardiac unit after graduation! She is extremely excited to develop her leadership skills during the course of the year and is looking forward to seeing everyone at our Annual Convention in 2019!
As co-Vice President, Megan hopes to inspire other nursing students to be involved with their school student nursing association chapters and with the state and national organizations as well. She wants to involve more students with the planning of the Annual Convention and highlight the amazing things they all do. Megan is excited to share her passion for nursing with NSANYS members!
In her free time, Megan enjoys hiking, hanging out with her three sisters (Emma, Kristin and Hanna), dog and chickens while studying to become a nurse on a cardiac unit after graduation! She is extremely excited to develop her leadership skills during the course of the year and is looking forward to seeing everyone at our Annual Convention in 2019!
KEZIA VARUGHESE, SECRETARY
Kezia Varughese is currently a junior in the undergraduate nursing program at Mercy College, in Dobbs Ferry, NY. As a full time nursing student, she enjoys playing an active role on campus and believes that involvement is an important factor in a successful future. Some positions Kezia currently holds are President of the Student Nurses’ Association of Mercy College, Anatomy and Physiology II Lab Director, Open Lab Instructor, Teacher’s Assistant, and a Resident Assistant. Upon holding these positions, Kezia is also honored to hold position as the Secretary of the Nursing Student’s Association of New York State (NSANYS) 2017 – 2018 year.
Kezia has attended the American Nurses’ Association (ANA) Convention, Council of State Leaders meeting as well as the NSANYS 65th annual convention in which Kezia was chosen to serve on the leadership panel. These are all events that have inspired her to become involved in the nursing community and have strengthened her leadership skills as well as help develop other skills such as effective communication and organizational. Kezia also enjoys volunteering in events that help bring the community together such as blood drives, food drives, bake sales and fundraisers.
As an indecisive person, Kezia was shocked to realize that at a young age she knew nursing was her calling. Her inspiration for nursing is due to the love and care she has for helping others and the satisfaction she receives knowing that her actions have made a difference in one’s life. Kezia hopes to graduate with her BSN and then continue to pursue her education in graduate school to become a nurse practitioner specializing in either the neonatal (NICU) or pediatric unit.
Aside from studying nursing, Kezia has always had a great passion for music. She is a first soprano soloist as well as a flutist for over 10 years. Kezia has had the honor to be able to sing the national anthem for the Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Induction Ceremony for the past 2 years. In addition to singing, Kezia enjoys playing her flute and loves to perform at various events such as talent shows, volunteer events, and campus events.
One of the major goals Kezia would like to achieve while being apart of the NSANYS Board of Directors is to help students around the country get more involved in the nursing community. She believes that there are many students out there who have the potential to hold leadership positions and excel in what they do, but do not realize this due to lack of interest, opportunities or awareness. This is a change Kezia would like to implement within the next year because she believes that anyone can help create a difference – it's merely a matter of who takes advantage of their ability to do so vs. those who do not.
Kezia has attended the American Nurses’ Association (ANA) Convention, Council of State Leaders meeting as well as the NSANYS 65th annual convention in which Kezia was chosen to serve on the leadership panel. These are all events that have inspired her to become involved in the nursing community and have strengthened her leadership skills as well as help develop other skills such as effective communication and organizational. Kezia also enjoys volunteering in events that help bring the community together such as blood drives, food drives, bake sales and fundraisers.
As an indecisive person, Kezia was shocked to realize that at a young age she knew nursing was her calling. Her inspiration for nursing is due to the love and care she has for helping others and the satisfaction she receives knowing that her actions have made a difference in one’s life. Kezia hopes to graduate with her BSN and then continue to pursue her education in graduate school to become a nurse practitioner specializing in either the neonatal (NICU) or pediatric unit.
Aside from studying nursing, Kezia has always had a great passion for music. She is a first soprano soloist as well as a flutist for over 10 years. Kezia has had the honor to be able to sing the national anthem for the Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Induction Ceremony for the past 2 years. In addition to singing, Kezia enjoys playing her flute and loves to perform at various events such as talent shows, volunteer events, and campus events.
One of the major goals Kezia would like to achieve while being apart of the NSANYS Board of Directors is to help students around the country get more involved in the nursing community. She believes that there are many students out there who have the potential to hold leadership positions and excel in what they do, but do not realize this due to lack of interest, opportunities or awareness. This is a change Kezia would like to implement within the next year because she believes that anyone can help create a difference – it's merely a matter of who takes advantage of their ability to do so vs. those who do not.
JULIANNE MARTIN, TREASURER
Julianne is a junior in the Basic-Baccalaureate Program at Stony Brook University, and is the Treasurer at her local student nurses’ association chapter. She is also a member of other organizations on campus, and has held many leadership roles at Stony Brook including: spending her summers and winters as an Orientation Leader, a Teaching Assistant for new transfer students, a member of the Dean's Advisory Committee, and serving as a Commuter Assistant.
Julianne is excited and honored to serve as the 2018-2019 NSANYS Treasurer. She hopes to be a resource for all local treasurers’ in New York by providing the tools to help them grow their local chapters financially. Julianne is eager to begin her nursing career, and has greatly enjoyed her clinical experiences on a Med-Surg. Telemetry floor thus far. She is unsure of what field of nursing she will peruse but is open to it all!
Graduating in May of 2019, Julianne looks forward to the next year and a half she has to explore the various opportunities offered to her in both her nursing education and leadership in NSNAYS and at Stony Brook. She looks forward to the path ahead and the various students, leaders, and inspiring nurses she will meet.
Julianne is excited and honored to serve as the 2018-2019 NSANYS Treasurer. She hopes to be a resource for all local treasurers’ in New York by providing the tools to help them grow their local chapters financially. Julianne is eager to begin her nursing career, and has greatly enjoyed her clinical experiences on a Med-Surg. Telemetry floor thus far. She is unsure of what field of nursing she will peruse but is open to it all!
Graduating in May of 2019, Julianne looks forward to the next year and a half she has to explore the various opportunities offered to her in both her nursing education and leadership in NSNAYS and at Stony Brook. She looks forward to the path ahead and the various students, leaders, and inspiring nurses she will meet.
EIZLE BIANCA SALONGA, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Bianca is from Rockaway Beach, Queens. She is a rising junior nursing student in the Honors program with a chemistry minor at Molloy College, Barbara H. Hagan school of Nursing in Rockville Centre, New York. At Molloy College, Bianca serves her local chapter, Molloy Nursing Student Association, as Co-Communications Chair. She has also been involved in other clubs such as Concert Choir, Sinfonietta Ensemble, Music Therapy Club, and Campus Ministries. After graduation, Bianca aims to work in the Intensive Care Unit and eventually become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
When she attended NSNA’s 66th Annual Convention in Nashville, TN, one of the speaker’s words resonated with her, “Never say you are just a nurse.” As Communications Director for NSANYS, Bianca wants to broadcast opportunities for nursing students and student accomplishments to empower potential nurses and show the world how dynamic and complex the field of nursing really is.
When she attended NSNA’s 66th Annual Convention in Nashville, TN, one of the speaker’s words resonated with her, “Never say you are just a nurse.” As Communications Director for NSANYS, Bianca wants to broadcast opportunities for nursing students and student accomplishments to empower potential nurses and show the world how dynamic and complex the field of nursing really is.
SARAH EBRAHIM, COMMUNITY HEALTH DIRECTOR
Sarah Ebrahim is from New Hyde Park, Long Island. She is currently a student in Hunter’s Bellevue School of Nursing at Hunter College. She is expected to graduate in May 2019. Attending her first NSANYS convention this year, she was inspired by the previous board of directors to run for Community Health Director. At the NSANYS 66th Annual Convention, she enjoyed talking to other dedicated nursing students that wanted to donate their time and energy to volunteer work.
She stays active in her community by volunteering at local events such as Heart to Heart Community Outreach and Walk for a Cause. She has also branched out and has donated time to Global Health. Sarah has attended a 2-week Medical Outreach Trip to the Dominican Republic twice within the last year. On these Global Health Volunteer trips, she was able to provide medical access to different communities while working in a mobile clinic. Her time volunteering has allowed her to acquire skills to assess and educate communities about pressing health issues. As NSANYS Community Health Director Sarah hopes to drive the motivation that many nursing students have to help others.
She stays active in her community by volunteering at local events such as Heart to Heart Community Outreach and Walk for a Cause. She has also branched out and has donated time to Global Health. Sarah has attended a 2-week Medical Outreach Trip to the Dominican Republic twice within the last year. On these Global Health Volunteer trips, she was able to provide medical access to different communities while working in a mobile clinic. Her time volunteering has allowed her to acquire skills to assess and educate communities about pressing health issues. As NSANYS Community Health Director Sarah hopes to drive the motivation that many nursing students have to help others.
NICOLE CONTRERAS, BREAKTHROUGH TO NURSING DIRECTOR
Nicole Contreras is currently a Freshman pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Molloy College in Rockville Centre, New York. In high school, Nicole volunteered at the hospital near her home and this is where she found her passion for nursing. She feels that by becoming a nurse she will be able to touch the lives of many. In school, Nicole holds several leadership roles, she is a Student Ambassador, Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) Ambassador and an active member of the Molloy Nursing Student Association (MNSA).
In her free time, Nicole enjoys practicing yoga and spending time with family. Nicole’s parents immigrated to the United States from El Salvador and she wants to be able to help minority students like herself, have the same opportunities that she did. She plans to reach out to a diverse population of students and get them excited about the field of American Nursing.
In her free time, Nicole enjoys practicing yoga and spending time with family. Nicole’s parents immigrated to the United States from El Salvador and she wants to be able to help minority students like herself, have the same opportunities that she did. She plans to reach out to a diverse population of students and get them excited about the field of American Nursing.
ROSA MISURACA, POLICY AND EDUCATION DIRECTOR
Rosa Misuraca is a junior, from Howard Beach, Queens, and currently attends The Barbara H. Hagan School of Nursing at Molloy College working towards a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. She is a commuter student and enjoys spending her time on campus. Rosa has been involved in many clubs and activities on campus such as being a member of the Molloy Nursing Student Association, a class president on Molloy's Student Government, and an Orientation Leader for the classes of 2020 and 2021. Rosa is also part of Molloy Life Media, where they make creative content for Molloy College. Rosa has always enjoyed singing and theatre, and has been in many musicals such as Anything Goes, Peter Pan, and Catch Me If You Can. After graduation, Rosa wants to pursue her nursing career in Obstetrics.
Rosa is very excited to be on the Board of Directors on NSANYS, giving her opportunities to advance in her nursing education and career. She is excited to take her leadership skills and apply them to her position as Policy and Education Director. Rosa wants to be able to encourage other nursing students to get involved, go to the various nursing conventions, and join the NSANYS Board of Directors in the years to come!
Rosa is very excited to be on the Board of Directors on NSANYS, giving her opportunities to advance in her nursing education and career. She is excited to take her leadership skills and apply them to her position as Policy and Education Director. Rosa wants to be able to encourage other nursing students to get involved, go to the various nursing conventions, and join the NSANYS Board of Directors in the years to come!
KATHERINE KACHEROVSKY, STAT EDITOR
Katherine Kacherovsky is currently a junior at the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing in New York City. Her passion for art, design, and for humanities has led her to her nomination as the STAT Newsletter Editor of NSANYS 2018-2019. In addition to being an officer on the Board of Directors of NSANYS, Katherine is also the Secretary of the Hunter-Bellevue Student Nurses’ Association (HBSNA), and her background of avid volunteering and altruism has prepared Katherine to take on all these roles alongside her studies.
In high school, Katherine was presented with the Penguin Random House Creative Writing Scholarship, and since then, her interest in writing has only developed further. Her intrinsic curiosity and appreciation for medical and nursing research has directed her toward positions of writing, extensive researching, and theoretical and empirical exploration. Such positions include her contribution to the Hunter-Bellevue Nursing Students’ Press (NSP).
Katherine also worked as a researcher and writer on her university’s Resolutions Committee to submit a proposal to the National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA). Her committee promoted breast cancer prevention, which she advocated for at her local Making Strides for Breast Cancer walk, as a volunteer. During her first year of nursing school, Katherine gained clinical experience as a medical volunteer at the New York Road Runners Marathon, and as a volunteer at Weill Cornell’s Community Clinics.
Relative to her Editor position in NSANYS, her experience as an art student, and as the Editor of the Yearbook Committee at James Madison High School has provided her with the knowledge and creativity needed to produce newsletters that will portray the values and attitudes of the nursing students of New York State.
In high school, Katherine was presented with the Penguin Random House Creative Writing Scholarship, and since then, her interest in writing has only developed further. Her intrinsic curiosity and appreciation for medical and nursing research has directed her toward positions of writing, extensive researching, and theoretical and empirical exploration. Such positions include her contribution to the Hunter-Bellevue Nursing Students’ Press (NSP).
Katherine also worked as a researcher and writer on her university’s Resolutions Committee to submit a proposal to the National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA). Her committee promoted breast cancer prevention, which she advocated for at her local Making Strides for Breast Cancer walk, as a volunteer. During her first year of nursing school, Katherine gained clinical experience as a medical volunteer at the New York Road Runners Marathon, and as a volunteer at Weill Cornell’s Community Clinics.
Relative to her Editor position in NSANYS, her experience as an art student, and as the Editor of the Yearbook Committee at James Madison High School has provided her with the knowledge and creativity needed to produce newsletters that will portray the values and attitudes of the nursing students of New York State.
MARY ANDREWS, NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS DIRECTOR AND REGIONAL DIRECTOR CHAIR
Mary is a freshman nursing major at Molloy College on Long Island, from Levittown. In addition to nursing, she is also studying for a biology minor. Though only having been there for a short time, Mary is very passionate about Molloy and the nursing profession, and is very active on campus. Organizations she is involved in include the Molloy Nursing Student Association, Molloy Student Government, the New Student Philanthropy Council, the board for Agape Latte, Molloy Life Media, and the Dominican Young Adults. She also started a rosary prayer group on campus. Having recently become a student ambassador for Molloy, Mary loves to show her school spirit. Outside of Molloy, Mary volunteers at the Wantagh-Levittown Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and works as both a photographer and a seamstress.
Thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as an NSANYS board member, Mary wishes to help others get involved as much as possible, and to find their passion for nursing, as well as the healthcare profession.
Mary is still deciding on what she would like to specialize in, but is interested in working in labor and delivery.
Thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as an NSANYS board member, Mary wishes to help others get involved as much as possible, and to find their passion for nursing, as well as the healthcare profession.
Mary is still deciding on what she would like to specialize in, but is interested in working in labor and delivery.
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