Celebrating
Dear Friends,
Our world has turned upside down since we started planning this issue of alumnecc.
When we began, our goal was to focus on celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first class to graduate from our nursing program.
Interviews were completed and photos were set up for mid-March, which, as you know, is when COVID-19 emerged as the pandemic threat it is today.
Like everyone, we had to dramatically change plans midstream. Visiting health care facilities to capture photos of our nursing graduates, many of whom were on the front lines battling this insidious virus, was no longer a possibility; we had to make do with what was already available.
COVID-19’s impact on our magazine is nothing compared to how it has disrupted teaching and learning at the college.
As soon as we learned of the potential impact of the virus, our faculty dove into remote learning mode, transitioning the content they had taught face-to-face into a number of remote options, using tools like Zoom, Skype, and YouTube.
And our students, many who have limited resources and most of whom have jobs and families, have certainly risen to the occasion, continuing with their studies despite the additional challenges in their lives.
While I can’t predict what will happen between now and the next few weeks when alumnecc is delivered to your homes, I am proud of how we have responded as a college to the threat of COVID-19.
I am also deeply appreciative of the bravery and commitment of our alumni who are the true heroes. Many of our health care graduates and our criminal justice graduates, in particular, are at the fore front, putting their health on the line to care for others.
I hope you stay safe, and find something to lift your spirits, even in these most difficult of times.
Lane A. Glenn President Northern Essex Community College
FOR OUR ALUMNI & FRIENDS
Editor: Maureen O’Leary
Contributing Editors: Sarah Comiskey, Ellen Small Davis, Ernie Greenslade, Wendy Shaffer
Graphic Designer: Susan Stehfest
Writers: Sarah Comiskey, Ellen Small Davis, Ernie Greenslade, Maureen O’Leary
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first graduating class of NECC nurses. Since that first class in 1970, our graduates have been taking care of us in our hospitals and clinics, long-term care facilities, doctors’ offices and schools, in our homes, and throughout our communities.
Several months ago we set out to pull together the stories of just some of the amazing nurses that have graduated from Northern Essex so that we could recognize and celebrate the work that nurses do on the front lines of health care each and every day. The World Health Organization is observing 2020 as the “Year of the Nurse and Midwife,” marking 200 years since the birth of Florence Nightingale. In the middle of creating this issue of alumnecc, the COVID-19 pandemic hit—a global event that has even more clearly shown us the unwavering commitment, professionalism, selflessness, and compassion of our nurses. Please read on to learn about the paths of five of our nursing program graduates from the past 50 years, and one current nursing student, who have made an impact on the field through a wide range of positions. 1970s
MARGARET FITZGERALD ’70, DNP, FNP-BC, NP-C, FAANP, CSP, FAAN, DCC, FNAP
CURRENT JOB TITLE(S): Founder, Fitzgerald Health Associates; Nurse Practitioner, Greater Lawrence Family Health Center
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN NURSING? “I knew I liked working with people and I knew I liked science. And so I wanted to go into some kind of work that allowed me to do both!”
WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING PART OF YOUR CAREER? “I would say it’s twofold—first, the long-term relationships that I’ve had with patients as a primary provider and nurse practitioner. I quite literally have patients who I’ve been seeing for 30 years or more. It’s been incredibly humbling and rewarding to have people entrust me with their health and the health of their families for such a long period of time. Second is helping other nurse practitioners solve clinical problems and find the best solutions for providing the best care to patients.”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY OF NECC? “It had to be back in 1969, when the nursing program was first applying for accreditation. I was selected as the nursing student representative to stand beside President Harold Bentley during the process. It was an incredibly affirming and intoxicating experience and it was the first time in my life that someone had pulled me to one side and told me I had leadership potential. That has stayed with me throughout my career.”
CURRENT JOB TITLE(S): CEO, InsideOut Wellness and Thermography Center, LLC; board-certified holistic nurse and Level III certified clinical thermographer
WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING PART OF YOUR CAREER? “Being a catalyst for change. As a holistic RN I promote patient empowerment and selfadvocacy, which helps to facilitate their ‘health journeys.’”
WHAT IS ONE THING THAT YOUR PATIENTS WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? “Most of my patients do not know that this is my second profession. I have a degree in economics and was the first female that the US Treasury sent overseas to examine banking operations of US Banks with international branches.”
HOW DO YOU RELIEVE STRESS AFTER A LONG WORK DAY? “As a holistic nurse, I have many modalities in my toolkit… meditation, yoga, Reiki, deep relaxation, etc. I like to find ways to nourish my body, mind, and spirit.”
SINCE THE START OF YOUR CAREER, WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU OBSERVED IN THE FIELD? “Since the 1980s, nurses in general have become less hands-on and have more demands for their management skills. Today’s nurses are well-educated, very competent, and have chosen to be a health care provider as opposed to prior generations when professional opportunities for women were not abundant.”
1990s
CURRENT JOB TITLE: Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Greater Lawrence Family Health Center
WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING PART OF YOUR CAREER? “The most rewarding part of my career has been having the privilege of being involved with some families for many years, taking care of their health care needs, and watching their children grow up to become productive members of society.”
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION THAT PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT THE NURSING FIELD? “I think the biggest misconception is that nursing is an easy career. Many think we went into nursing because it was an easy path to employment. Starting with the intense and difficult workload of classes and clinical hours during nursing school, nursing requires not only treating patients who are sick, but also offering emotional support, advice, and education to families. And let’s not forget the documentation and lots of paperwork. However, the reward of
NECC is training the medical assistants, nurses, respiratory therapists, radiologic technologists, and dental assistants of the future. You’ll be in good hands!
Business Management: Healthcare
Practice Associate Degree
Community Health Worker
Dental Assisting
Exercise Science
Health Fitness Instructor
General Studies:
Health Specialization
Healthcare Technician
Medical Assistant – Day/Evening
Medical Billing
Medical Coding
Medical Office Assistant
Nursing Associate Degree
Nursing Advanced Placement: LPN to ADN
Paramedic Technology
Paramedic Technology Certificate
Practical Nursing
Public Health
Radiologic Technology
Respiratory Care
Sleep Technologist
making a difference in someone’s life makes all the work worthwhile.”
HOW DO YOU RELIEVE STRESS AFTER A LONG WORK DAY? “I relieve stress after a long work day by spending time with family, exercising, and reading.” 2000s
a lobectomy and I was in the ICU watching while the surgeon took out every stitch from the large hook-shaped incision in my dad’s back. The nurses were so nice to my family and provided us support up until the day he passed away.”
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MEMORY OF NECC THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE? “My first clinical ever was my first experience in patient care—my NECC clinical group started our nursing career at Tewksbury State Hospital. I was so absolutely terrified of the experience. I remember coming home after that first day of clinical and being so horrified about what life can actually hold for people that I almost did not go back that next day. Obviously, the next day, I woke up, showered and went to clinical again, despite my fears. I did not know at the time, but this was the solidifying moment in my life that yes, I absolutely can do this. I ended up feeling grateful for the fact that THAT was my first ever patient care experience; trial by fire—that is what a lot of being a nurse is about.”
CURRENT JOB TITLE: TriClip Tricuspid Valve Repair System National Trainer, Abbott Laboratories
WHAT LED YOU TO YOUR CURRENT CAREER? WHO OR WHAT INSPIRED YOU? “I wanted a career that was both meaningful and interesting. A career in medicine checked both of those boxes for me. Nursing opened my eyes to a fascinating world and allowed me to humbly serve my fellow man, while ultimately the medical device industry offered me a place to enjoy my twofold love for medicine and technology.”
WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING PART OF YOUR CAREER? “To be a part of cutting-edge medical technologies that are redefining the standard of care for patients with heart failure. The minimally invasive technologies are allowing patients to live longer while having a better quality of life.”
HOW DID NECC PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CURRENT ROLE? “The NECC Nursing Program gave me a strong clinical foundation and defined and developed my critical thinking skills. These skill sets are highly valuable and sought after in today’s marketplace.”
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MEMORY OF NECC THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE? “The Anatomy and Physiology I course I took with Professor Tom White. His enthusiasm and brilliance was contagious and made the course fun and engaging. He inspired and supported me to pursue a degree in nursing. For that I am forever grateful to him.”
2010s
AJA NICHOLSON ’13, ADON, BSN, RN
CURRENT JOB TITLE: Transitional Care Unit Manager, Genesis Healthcare
WHAT LED YOU TO A CAREER IN NURSING? WHO OR WHAT INSPIRED YOU? “I always felt like I was destined to be a nurse. My dad was very sick when I was a little girl with diabetes and lung cancer. I remember him having
HOW DO YOU RELIEVE STRESS AFTER A LONG WORK DAY? “Sometimes I cry, sometimes I cook. There is usually a small glass of red wine involved at some point after the work day depending on the events of the day.”
CURRENT JOB TITLE: “I hold a CNA license in the state of Massachusetts.”
WHO OR WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN NURSING?
”Honestly? My dad decided I needed to stop mucking around and do something I would love and that would offer stability. Also, nurses are on the front line of care. More times than not you will see a nurse before you see a physician. This gives nurses a unique opportunity to connect with people. I’m a people person, it’s what I’m good at!”
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE NECC? “NECC was close, affordable, and flexible. Being a nontraditional student, the latter is very important to me. Also, it definitely helped that the NECC Nursing School had great graduation and NCLEX pass rates!”
WHAT CAREER PATH ARE YOU INTERESTED IN PURSUING WITH YOUR NURSING DEGREE? “I volunteer with SWOP (Sex Workers Outreach Project) Boston, and other nonprofit organizations that serve at risk and underserved populations. My goal is to better serve these populations as a nurse practitioner. Whether it is STD testing, a physical, pharmacological intervention, or a referral to other agencies, I want to be that person they can count on. We treat the whole person, not just the disease. I want to have deep community ties to services for patients in my area.”
A dozen NECC Public Health students are gaining real world experience while volunteering for Governor Charlie Baker’s recently formed Academic Public Health Volunteer Corps (APHVC) to contact, track, and trace COVID-19 patients.
They have joined some 1,700 volunteers in this novel partnership that includes the non-profit Partners in Health, several state agencies, and 11 Boston area colleges and universities.
The volunteers completed online training before being deployed to serve 351 boards of health in Massachusetts.
“This was something some of the public health students definitely wanted to be involved with,” says Jacqueline Dick, professor and program director of the NECC Public Health Associate Degree and Community Health Certificate programs.
Rosanna Lara of Lawrence, who already earned a Community Health Certificate and graduates in May with a Public Health Associate Degree, was grateful for the opportunity to work on a public health initiative.
“I hope all the knowledge I have gained throughout my years in the Public Health program, along with all the required online training I received in the past few weeks, can help me contribute efficiently to collaborate in COVID-19 Contact Tracing,” Lara says.
Massachusetts is the first and only state to create an APHVC, according to Dick. Since its inception, New
Jersey and California have inquired about its creation and progress.
“I told the students this is not a dress rehearsal. This is public health,” says Dick.
NECC alumna and West Newbury resident Diannely Antigua is one of 10 emerging writers to receive the prestigious Whiting Award.
The award has been presented annually, for the past 35 years, by the Whiting Foundation to select fiction and nonfiction writers, poets, and playwrights. The prizes are designed to recognize excellence and promise in a spectrum of emerging talent, giving most winners their first chance to devote themselves full-time to their own writing, or to take bold new risks in their work.
Antigua, 30, who graduated from NECC in 2009 with an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts, is one of three poets to receive an award of $50,000. She is a Dominican American poet born and raised in Massachusetts. Her debut collection Ugly Music (Yes Yes Books, 2019) was the winner of the Pamet River Prize. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from UMass Lowell and earned her Master of Fine Arts at New York University.
“I feel incredibly honored to be one of ten 2020 Whiting Award recipients,” Antigua said. “It seems strange to celebrate in such an uncertain time as this, but to me it’s a sign of how important art, namely poetry, is. Poetry has been ever present for me in moments of joy and great pain, and its necessary place is only growing.”
Community colleges are known for being nimble, and Northern Essex faculty and staff proved how flexible they truly are when they transitioned all courses to remote learning in March, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When the semester started, 20 percent of credit courses were offered online and 15 percent were offered in a hybrid format including online and face-to-face learning.
“Two thirds of our classes weren’t expected to be taught remotely,” says NECC President Lane Glenn. “The scale of what was accomplished was flabbergasting.”
Using tools like Blackboard, Navigate, Zoom, Skype, and YouTube, faculty spent the week after spring break creating a remote learning model for each of their courses.
In early April, the college announced that remote learning would be extended through the end of the semester. Praising the quick actions of faculty and staff, President Glenn says “more of our students are going to be successful this year because of these efforts.”
“
Two thirds of our classes weren’t expected to be taught remotely,” says NECC President Lane Glenn.
“The scale of what was accomplished was flabbergasting.
Dr. Scott Lancaster came by way of his education in much the same way many NECC students do – nontraditionally. Trained as an EMT while serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, he later completed a paramedic program and went to work. In 2010, he returned to school as a full-time student while working full time. In the last 10 years he earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate. A dedicated paramedic, before entering academia, he flew on a New Hampshire medical helicopter. He continues to work as a paramedic a few shifts a month for the Amherst, N.H. Fire Department.
Home: Goffstown, N.H.
Profession: Assistant dean of health professions (and paramedic)
Hobbies: Prehospital care research and martial arts
Last book read: The Pedagogy of Real Talk: Engaging, Teaching, and Connecting With Students at Risk 1st Ed. by Paul Hernandez
Latest accomplishment: This was more my wife than me, but the birth of our second daughter, Jamie Emerson, on January 3, 2020. More personally, successfully defending my dissertation and completing my Ph.D. on September 9, 2019.
Quote: “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.” – Thomas Jefferson
I am a researcher of health education, focused primarily on outcomes of paramedic students across the United States. I am a Disney fanatic; I’ve been to Disney World or Land more than 20 times in my life.
Why I do what I do: Health professionals impact everyone at some point in their lives. From the medical assistant to the surgeon, each and every health professional can directly influence your quality and quantity of life. Education of these professionals is paramount in having a thriving community and nation, and I love that I get to play some small part working with students and faculty to ensure that we are producing the best educated providers possible.
Northern Essex Community College was recognized for the high voting rate of its students in the 2018 midterm elections. Close to 32 percent of Northern Essex students voted in the 2018 midterm elections which was more than an 11 percent increase over the 2014 midterm elections. The college received a silver seal for Excellence in Student Voter Engagement in the 2019 ALL IN Challenge Awards.
The All IN Campus Democracy Challenge is a nonpartisan, national initiative recognizing and supporting campuses as they work to increase nonpartisan democratic engagement and full student voter participation. The Challenge encourages higher education institutions to help students form the habits of active and informed citizenship, and make democratic participation a core value on their campus.
Activities at NECC included voting registration events, a class research project on presidential primary candidates, and the creation of an Election Working Group made up of students, faculty, and staff.
With its new partnership with the Essex County Sheriff’s Department (ECSD), Northern Essex Community College is now providing educational opportunities for up to 160 Essex County inmates at five locations county-wide. The classes include High School Equivalency (HiSET or GED prep); English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL); college and career readiness; computer literacy and applications; and college credit courses in English and U.S. History.
Educational programs, like the one Northern Essex is implementing with the ECSD, help inmates create viable education and career pathways, according to Adam Cutler, NECC’s director of education, corrections.
“Investments in education provide inmates with the tools needed to get a job and/or continue their education. The resulting outcomes can be life changing for individuals and their families while making our communities safer,” says Cutler.
Twenty staff members have been hired, including four on-site academic and career advisors; teachers; law librarians for the inmate’s law library, which Northern Essex manages; a community advisor to help individuals transition from jail to the community; and Cutler.
“Northern Essex gave Rosemary and me a good start in life. We have been so honored to watch the college grow through the years and to grow alongside it. It was important for us, as proud graduates and supporters, to take the next step in giving back to NECC through a legacy gift.”
William Klueber ‘63The NECC community is pleased to announce the establishment of the William and Rosemary Klueber Planned Giving Society, a new donor recognition program named in honor of two beloved members of the NECC alumni family, William J. “Bill” Klueber ’63, who currently serves as an esteemed member of our Alumni Board, and the late Rosemary B. Klueber ’70, who passed away in 2018. Both Bill and Rosemary have graced the college with their invaluable leadership for years, serving as prominent members on numerous college boards and advisory committees. In addition, both have long acted as philanthropic ambassadors for the college’s fundraising initiatives, setting a prominent example for other alumni and friends to follow.
The William and Rosemary Klueber Planned Giving Society is intended to recognize all those who have included NECC in a legacy giving plan. If you or someone you know is interested in legacy giving, please contact Allison Dolan-Wilson, vice president of Institutional Advancement, at adolanwilson@necc.mass.edu or at 978-556-3624.
Northern Essex Community College is truly an asset to our community. I have seen firsthand the benefits of an NECC education with two adult daughters who have received associate degrees from NECC and have gone on to attain a doctorate degree in nursing and a master’s degree in public policy. I am proud to be a supporter and volunteer.
Tom Mortimer CEO of Haverhill BankYasmelly
CastilloMy family and I are so grateful that there are people in this world willing to help those in need like myself. In the future, I would like to work with the elderly population, showing the dedication and passion that I have for the field of human services… My educational pursuits would not have been possible without scholarship support!
Yasmelly Castillo NECC Human Services Student
For two years in a row, NECC’s Licensed Practical Nursing Program was ranked the top LPN program in Massachusetts by PracticalNursing.org, a national nursing advocacy organization.
The rankings were based on graduate passing rates on the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses) exam. Eighteen programs in Massachusetts were ranked. Northern Essex received an overall score of 98.04 out of 100.
“This is such great news again for our students and the community which counts on Northern Essex for its LPNs,” says Lisa Bass, coordinator of NECC’s Practical Nursing Program. LPNs are in high demand in Massachusetts, due in part to the nationwide nursing shortage. According to the organization’s website, locally employed LPNs earn an average hourly wage of $27.34 and an average annual salary of $56,860.
NECC’s LPN Program is a 47-credit certificate program. Graduates can apply credits earned to NECC’s associate degree in nursing, which offers an advanced placement option for LPNs.
Hopefully you have been inspired by reading the incredible stories of our students and alumni in this issue of alumnecc. It is because of donors like you that we are able to provide critical scholarships and programs that help our students succeed at NECC. Your donation of any size has a positive impact on our students and communities, helping both to grow and thrive.
Please visit www.necc.mass.edu/giving to make a donation today, or contact Allison Dolan-Wilson, vice president, Institutional Advancement; executive director, NECC Foundation, Inc. at adolanwilson@necc.mass.edu or 978-556-3624 for more information on the many ways you can support NECC.
David Moorehouse ‘65
Faith Bodwell O’Brien ‘70
Sandra Watson ‘84
Lena Amirian ‘85
Michael Mooney ‘17
DAVID VOSE ‘68, a professional musician and faculty member at Berklee College of Music, has been inducted into the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame.
JOANNE CAROTA ‘87 has published her debut novel, The Docks, which explores the lives of modern Bostonians.
FRANCES O’LEARY ‘89, a geriatric emergency nurse clinician with Advent Health, has been highlighted in The Magazine Plus for her career accomplishments.
KEVIN GELINEAU ‘00 has been appointed deputy chief of the Seabrook Police Department.
KERVIN VALDEZ ‘05, owner and CEO of Town Livery, Inc., has launched a partnership between his company and NECC. Town Livery now assists the college with student transportation service needs.
JONATHAN PEREZ ‘13, an Iraq war veteran and financial analyst, was highlighted in the UML Connector for his career accomplishments.
REGINA SERVERIUS ‘15 was recently featured on Masslive.com for her involvement with the Healthy Families Massachusetts program.
NOAH GREENSTEIN ‘18, was featured in the role of gaoler (jailer) in the new original play Saltonstall’s Trial which ran at the Larcom Theater of Beverly. The play was first presented as a workshop production at NECC in 2018.
SHALIMAR QUILES, head of the Hennessey School in Lawrence, has been appointed to the Northern Essex Board of Trustees by Governor Charlie Baker. Born and raised in Lawrence and a 2008 graduate of Northern Essex, Quiles has been with the Lawrence School System since 2012. She served as a student reengagement manager, the superintendent’s chief of staff, and most recently school leader (principal) of the Hennessey School with 384 Pre-K through 2nd grade students.
Quiles attended the Arlington School in Lawrence and is a graduate of Lawrence High School. After earning her associate degree in communications, she transferred to Simmons College, graduating in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a minor in Spanish. In 2017, she graduated with a Master of Education from Merrimack College.
“I feel incredibly grateful and fortunate to be able to serve the college and the broader community,” said Quiles after learning of her appointment to the Northern Essex board.
A graduate of NECC’s general studies: physical education & exercise science program and a former NECC baseball player, KEEGAN PAFFORD ’16 of Derry, NH is now the co-founder and owner of w.o.d. welder, LLC, a company specializing in natural skin care products for athletes. His business has been highlighted in Men’s Journal and Paleo Fitness, among other national publications. He credits NECC with giving him the tools he needed to operate a successful business.
Northern Essex helped me develop my time management skills and channel my competitive instinct. Having a career in the fitness industry can be hectic and being part of NECC and its athletic program provided much-needed structure in my life to manage that.
