Alumnus

  • Tracey DeWire in white coat holds plaque award in front of Vanderbilt Health sign

    DeWire’s second career of nursing leads to 15 years of compassionate care

    Tracey DeWire, MSN'08, ACNP-BC, had a 16-year career in sales before deciding to become a nurse practitioner, a decision inspired by her best friend’s cancer diagnosis. She’s kept that inspiration burning in the 15 years of her second career. Her compassionate care has led to a VUMC Patient and Family Choice Award. Read More

    Aug. 2, 2024

  • A group of people in medical scrubs and masks gather around an unseen patient

    More than Skin Deep: Alumnus Victor Czerkasij helps the children in Ukraine

    Nursing alumnus Victor Czerkasij, MSN’06, has made visits to Ukraine, the land of his parents and ancestors, part of his personal mission. On his recent visits, he treated hospitalized children who have been traumatized by the war. “What was amazing to me was how many of the children would say, ‘I’m OK. Why don’t you give it to the child next door? They’re even worse than me,’” Czerkasij recalls. Read More

    Jan. 12, 2024

  • Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier in a suit with alumna Erin Miller holding a framed award

    School of Nursing alum Erin Miller receives VU early career achievement award

    Erin Miller, MSN’19, was honored with Vanderbilt's 2023 Early Career Professional Achievement Award during Reunion and Homecoming weekend Nov. 2-5. The award is given by the Vanderbilt University Alumni Association and recognizes alumni age 40 and under for their significant record of career achievement and promise for professional success. Both a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and a pediatric sexual assault nurse examiner, Miller was one of the first graduates from VUSN’s pilot VEP-SANE program. Today, her expertise as a pediatric SANE, child advocate and health care leader is recognized in more than 1,000 completed sexual assault exams and court testimony in more than 100 cases. Read More

    Nov. 8, 2023

  • Vanderbilt University

    “If You Want to Be a Nurse”–Reflections from an Experienced VUSN Nurse in Recognition of Nurses Month

    Charlotte Covington, BSN’69, MSN’89, associate professor of nursing, emerita, is a Vanderbilt School of Nursing alumna (twice), former faculty member, past VUSN Alumni Board member and lifelong friend to the school. In honor of Nurses Month, we are happy to share this essay she wrote that captures the reality and dedication… Read More

    May. 10, 2023

  • Vanderbilt University

    "If You Want to Be a Nurse"–Reflections from an Experienced VUSN Nurse in Recognition of Nurses Month

    Charlotte Covington, BSN’69, MSN’89, associate professor of nursing, emerita, is a Vanderbilt School of Nursing alumna (twice), former faculty member, past VUSN Alumni Board member and lifelong friend to the school. In honor of Nurses Month, we are happy to share this essay she wrote that captures the reality and dedication… Read More

    May. 10, 2023

  • Vanderbilt professor Tom Christenbery leans against porch rail in portrait for Summer 2020 Vanderbilt Nurse magazine.

    School of Nursing mourns loss of Tom Christenbery, beloved professor and champion of compassion in nursing

    Update: View Vanderbilt School of Nursing’s memorial service for Dr. Christenbery. Thomas L. Christenbery, MSN’87, PhD’04, CNE, professor of nursing and director of program evaluation at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, died unexpectedly in his sleep Tuesday, Feb. 16. He was 66.The popular Christenbery was… Read More

    Feb. 17, 2021

  • ASA Briggs, NP testifies at joint public hearing in D.C.

    Alumnus testifies in support of mental health care workforce shortage bill

    Asa T. Briggs, MSN’12, PMHNP-BC, recently testified in front of the Council of the District of Columbia Committee on Health in support of a bill regarding telepsychiatry and a need for mental health care providers. Briggs was director of psychiatry for Unity Healthcare, DC’s… Read More

    Mar. 4, 2020

  • Gold Vanderbilt logo next to a photo of a smiling Vanderbilt Nursing male alumnus

    Wisconsin-based alumnus talks about flu and coronavirus

    Alumnus Ken Nelson, DNP'13, MSN'11, was featured on CBS station WFRV in Green Bay reassuring viewers that the health system is prepared if there were cases of coronavirus, but that the flu is having a much greater impact. Nelson is the chief nursing officer for HSHS St. Vincent and St. Mary’s hospitals in the northeast Wisconsin area and is a member of the alumni board for Vanderbilt School of Nursing. Read More

    Feb. 3, 2020