A LIFE OF DEDICATION A Conversation with Marlene Lofters-Dinham, DNP

Marlene Lofters-Dinham’s journey from the small seaside town of Savanna la Mar in Jamaica to a distinguished career in nursing is nothing short of inspirational. Academically gifted, Marlene earned a scholarship to Ardenne High School in Kingston and later completed her high school education at Mt. Alvernia High School in Montego Bay. She moved to the U.S. in 1985 to pursue a degree in Computer Science at Brooklyn College, but her life took a pivotal turn following the birth of her first child, leading her to nursing.

Marlene graduated with an AAS degree from Medgar Evers College in 1995 and pursued her BSN, despite facing significant personal challenges. The critical care her daughter received in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit inspired Marlene to specialize in Pediatric Nursing. She has since worked in various pediatric settings, including as a school nurse, community health nurse, and longterm care provider.

In 2004, Marlene began working at Downstate Medical Center in the Pediatric Medical Surgical Unit, collaborating with the very doctors who once cared for her daughter. She became the first nurse on staff to obtain ANCC board certification in Pediatrics and PALS certification. Marlene also chaired the Nurse Governance Council and contributed to hospital-wide councils, advocating for nurse empowerment.

Marlene’s research on pediatric pain management, particularly for children with Sickle Cell Crisis, and her presentations on culturally appropriate care for Caribbean families, have made significant impacts. She later transitioned to the PICU, where she welcomed new resident doctors and was named Downstate Hospital Employee of the Month.

After completing her BSN and MSN in Nursing Education with a specialization in Simulations from Drexel University, Marlene joined NYC Health + Hospitals as a Nurse Educator. She became Lead Nurse Educator for all ambulatory outpatient sites, focusing on staff and community education. Marlene also became a certified healthcare simulation educator (CHSE) and served as an ANCC validator for the pediatric certification exam.

In 2019, Marlene moved to Woodhull Hospital to care for her ailing mother and currently serves as the Associate Director of Nursing Education and Research. She recently earned her Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) from Chamberlain University.

Marlene continues to mentor the next generation of nurses as an adjunct faculty member at Medgar Evers College. She has also launched her company, “Lillian Clifford LLC,” and actively participates in the Jamaica Nurses Group NY, Inc. (JNGNY), where she has held several leadership roles and contributed to medical missions in Jamaica.

Dedicated to her family, Marlene describes her son Craig, his wife Kei, grandson Jackson, and her daughter Antoinette as “the wind beneath her wings that makes her soar.” We had the privilege of speaking with Marlene about her remarkable