NHS Grads Called Upon to Lead as Health Challenges Loom

May 18, 2009

With pressing health challenges around the globe — from the aging baby boomers and health care reform to nursing shortages and rising health care spending, Pulitzer Prize-winning health and science writer Laurie Garrett called upon the new graduates to lead.

Garrett addressed the 2009 graduates from the School of Nursing & Health Studies (NHS) at an evening commencement ceremony in Gaston Hall.

“I celebrate the miracle of each and every one of you,” said the award-winning journalist and best-selling author.

“Against all odds, you are here today, ready to treat, administer, give TLC and carry out research,” Garrett said. “Against all odds, you are ready, willing and able to fight inside our expensive, semifunctional health system. And I know that against all odds and obstacles that will be thrown at you each and every day of your new careers, you will carry on as consummate professionals.”

More than 160 NHS graduates received their bachelor of science degrees in health care management and policy, human science, international health and nursing.

Among the graduates: Three students were inducted into Phi Beta Kappa; 34 students were elected to Sigma Theta Tau, the international nursing honor society; nine were selected as health studies scholars; four were named to Upsilon Phi Delta, the honor society for health systems administration; three were named to Alpha Sigma Nu, the national Jesuit honor society; and three were initiated into Sigma Xi, the scientific research society.

The graduating seniors chose Elizabeth Kucharczyk (NHS’09), an honors nursing major, to present the student address at the ceremony. She said Georgetown’s values must guide her classmates in their careers.

“As we move forward in our careers, it’s important for us to remember our Georgetown roots and to bring the university’s values — like respect, integrity and social justice — to the international level,” said Kucharczyk. “Even more important, perhaps, is that we demonstrate caring and compassion in all of the service that we provide.”

Many NHS graduates already know where either their academic careers will continue or where their professional ones will begin. Examples include:

*Yale School of Public Health
*Harvard School of Public Health
*University of Michigan Medical School
*Accenture
*Georgetown University Hospital
*Children’s National Medical Center
*Deloitte Consulting
*Massachusetts General Hospital
*Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies

Submit your news at any time to the GUMC Office of Communications at gumccomm@georgetown.edu.



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