Niagara Falls
THE
NIAGARA REPORTER
LOCAL NEWS  •  LOCAL VOICES  •  LOCAL MATTERS
News

NU School of Nursing Celebrates First Graduating Class from Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center

N
Niagara Falls Reporter Staff  ·  August 20, 2020
NU School of Nursing Celebrates First Graduating Class from Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center
SharefXin✉

Please click the link below to subscribe to a FREE PDF version of each print edition of the Niagara Reporter

http://eepurl.com/dnsYM9

 

Niagara University and Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center recently celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of registered nurses to earn Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees through an innovative joint program that saw classes taught on the medical center campus. Among the graduates were top row from left, Lynne Clark, Julie Shannon, Amanda Kirbis and Victoria Fox. Bottom row, from left, Brandi Jackson, Anna Pennesi, Lakkhana Cohen, Rycky Pera. Not pictured are Erin McKean, Amanda Martin, Ron Lindaman and Chantalle Latko.

 

By: Staff Reporter

Niagara University and Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center recently celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of registered nurses to earn Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees through an innovative joint program that saw classes taught on the medical center campus.

The partnership between Niagara University and Memorial was established in 2018 and aims to improve educational opportunities for registered nurses by offering NU School of Nursing’s RN to BSN program at Memorial.

While the program offers some courses online, most are face to face to promote synergy and critical thinking. Memorial’s support and commitment to its nurses enabled this initial cohort of working nurses to complete their degree requirements in less than two years.

The pioneering RN to BSN program was spearheaded by Memorial President & CEO Joseph A. Ruffolo, Chief Nursing Officer JoAnn Pellegrino, Nurse Educator Vicki Smith and Fran Crosby, Ed.D., R.N., director of Niagara University’s School of Nursing.

“We are so proud of these 12 nurses for their hard work, determination, and perseverance, especially during a time of added hardship. It has been an honor to be a part of their journey and we look forward to our continued partnership with NU’s School of Nursing,” said Pellegrino.

“These amazing nurses completed their academic expectations not only while working full time, many with family responsibilities, but during the COVID-19 crisis as well. Their productivity has been outstanding and it has been my pleasure to work with them,” Crosby said. “I am so proud to call them NU nurse graduates and appreciative of Joe Ruffolo, JoAnn Pellegrino and Vicki Smith for making this partnership happen.”

This year’s graduates are Lynne Clark, RN; Erin McKean, RN; Amanda Kirbis, RN; Brandi Jackson, RN; Anna Pennesi, RN; Victoria Fox, RN; Amanda Martin, RN; Ron Lindaman, RN; Julie Shannon, RN; RyckyAnn Pera, RN; Chantalle Latko, RN; and Lakkhana Cohen, RN.

The group began their studies in August 2018. Niagara University provides the faculty to teach the program’s courses alongside medical center’s colleague who identify opportunities for case studies, research projects, guest speakers and other resources to enhance students’ learning experiences.

 

**attorney advertising**
SharefXin✉

Comments (0)

Leave a comment

More From Niagara Falls Reporter

Niagara Falls Hosts Oldest State Park But State Needs to Provide More Assistance
Featured

Niagara Falls Hosts Oldest State Park But State Needs to Provide More Assistance

By tony Farina · August 26, 2026

By Tony Farina The Niagara Falls State Park, located in Niagara Falls, N.Y., and created in 1885, is recognized as the oldest state park in the U.S. and contains the American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls, and a portion of the Horseshoe Falls (also known as the Canadian Falls). Following a $44-million refurbishment of the 221-acre park in 2003, in 2007 it was named the 10 th most beautiful spot in America by “The Today Show.” According to the state’s Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, the State Park receives more than nine million visits each year. It is

Featured

WEBR to Launch Katie Daye Show on Monday

By tony Farina · August 21, 2026

By Tony Farina There is much excitement in the airwaves at WEBR The Breeze as station manager and program director Frank Miller has announced that beginning on Monday, Aug. 24, the talent he has been hoping to bring in for some time will be joining the WEBR midday lineup from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every weekday. “We’re just thrilled to be launching the Kadie Daye show on Monday, and we are so looking forward to having a talent like Kadie on our airwaves at WEBR AM 1440, FM 105.3 and FM 106.9,” Miller said in talking about the new

Far Too Often, Promises Have Proved Empty; Niagara Falls Needs Progress And Strategic Planning
Featured

Far Too Often, Promises Have Proved Empty; Niagara Falls Needs Progress And Strategic Planning

By tony Farina · August 4, 2026

By Tony Farina Promises are nice and they bring hope for the future. But unfortunately, most of the time, promises have fallen flat for the City of Niagara Falls, some succeeding but many turning out to be empty promises and major disappointments. At this point, Niagara Falls doesn’t need more failed promises. What the city needs is progress to build a better future and a plan to make it work. City leadership must bring it all together. While there are promises to build a better future on the table and being talked about, like Centennial Park and the Niagara Digital

Governor Issues Response To McMurray’s Letter on Slag Concerns
Featured

Governor Issues Response To McMurray’s Letter on Slag Concerns

By tony Farina · August 4, 2026

By Tony Farina The radioactive slag bubbling up across Niagara County in recent weeks, triggering state and federal testing and some remedial work and family relocations, is the ongoing and seemingly never-ending legacy of the environmental desecration of the past 100-plus years by massive corporations dumping toxic waste that was the subject of Christen Civiletto’s book Thundering Waters. “What we have again is an environmental storm,” said attorney and former Grand Island Supervisor Nate McMurray, a candidate for election to the 45th District State Assembly seat now open because of the retirement of Angelo Morinello. McMurray will run for the