June 5, 2017
Five Ursuline College nursing graduates were honored by the Greater Cleveland Nurses Association (GCNA) for their dedication and professionalism, with 2017 graduate Emily Adkinson, BSN, chosen for the prestigious 2017 Next Generation of Care Award.
Her classmate, 2017 grad Jacqueline Elrod, BSN, was Ursuline's choice for the GCNA Future of Care award, which recognizes one graduating student from each of six Northeast Ohio nursing programs. In addition, two of the four mid-career nurses honored with the GCNA Faces of Care award are Ursuline alumnae Deborah (Poluka) Aloshen '80 and Linda (Holland) Boseman '81.
“Anyone familiar with the reputation of The Breen School of Nursing would not be surprised that so many Ursuline graduates have been honored as Northeast Ohio’s ‘Faces of Care.’ Caring and competence are the hallmarks of an Ursuline nurse,” said Patricia Sharpnack, DNP, dean of the Breen School of Nursing. “We were particularly thrilled that Emily was chosen from among all of her peers in the region’s nursing programs. Emily truly rises to the top and inspires us all.”
Adkinson's award was announced at the June 3 Faces of Care gala co-sponsored by the GCNA and Cleveland magazine. Despite a rigorous academic schedule in the honors program of Ursuline's Breen School of Nursing, her leadership on the Ursuline Arrows volleyball team, participation in music and theater programs, her volunteer work and her part-time job as a nursing assistant, Adkinson maintained a 3.86 GPA. In April, she presented her undergraduate research into complementary care at the Midwest Nursing Research Society conference in Minneapolis.
She graduated from Ursuline on May 19 with the St. Catherine medal and the Gonzaga medal. The Saint Catherine Medal for Student Achievement, presented at colleges affiliated with the National Catholic College Graduate Honor Society, recognizes leadership and service to the college. Unique to Ursuline, the Gonzaga medal is awarded to student for exemplifying "refinement, dignity, integrity, and sincere concern for others."
In the clinical setting, patients and staff comment on Adkinson's skill and compassion. She will be working in intensive care at University Hospitals Case Medical Center.
Elrod was 2016-17 president of the group Student Nurses of Ursuline College, through which she helped raise funds for the American Heart Association. In November 2016, she represented The Breen School of Nursing at the National Student Nurses Association’s 34th Annual Mid-year Convention in Kansas City. She has accepted a position in Cleveland Clinic's pediatric intensive care unit.
Aloshen is director of nursing and health services for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, where she has spearheaded partnerships with the region's major hospitals to provide children with vision and dental care. She also oversaw the opening of 17 free health clinics in elementary schools and high schools.
Boseman, a nurse practitioner, is a pediatric clinical nurse systems specialist for the MetroHealth system. She also treats residents of the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center one half day a week, and she teaches in the graduate nursing program at Case Western Reserve University.
Behavioral health nurse Tracy Booker '11 was also honored at the gala. She was one of University Hospitals nominees for the Faces of Care award.
See the June issue of Cleveland magazine for profiles of Aloshen and Boseman and a brief write-up about Elrod.
Last year, the GNCA chose Ursuline student Elizabeth Manning, BSN '16, for the Next Generation of Care Award. Her story of triumph over adversity in her native Kenya inspired attendees at the 2016 gala.
