​‘Student Nurses’ Voices
​from the Western Hemisphere’
Session One Recording available here >>>  Session Three Recording available here >>>
Session Two of our worldwide ‘Student Nurses' Voices Speaker Series’
” I felt as though I was transported to a world of wisdom and soul— only to return refreshed with new perspectives and deeper understanding.  I am truly optimistic about the future of nursing because we have such dedicated and pioneering nursing students leading the way.”   
​                                                                 Dr. Khaldoun Aldiabat, Assistant Dean, Cape Breton School of Nursing
Session Two of our 'Student Nurses’ Speaker Series’  is the next Series to prepare and engage nurses—including students and retirees—to become inspired and informative thought-leaders across the global public space—to advocate to achieve SDG # 3 and to  influence the listening ears of everyone!  Building on the success of our Nurses’ Voices Speaker Series— this new Series continues our innovative global multi-media outreach of eight Sessions to be broadcasted from across the world. This Session features leading voices from the Bahamas, Brazil, Canada and the United States. It was broadcast virtually on December 3, 2024—Co-Hosted by
​This Session provides a foundation to bring Student Nurses' Voices
​into a dynamic global dialogue toward achieving a healthy world. ​
Presenters’ Bios
Western Hemisphere Regional Introduction
Rosemarie L. Josey, MSc, MPA, CNS, RN   Speaking at minute 6:46 ​
​Ms. Josie currently serves as Vice President of the  Commonwealth Nurses & Midwives Federation (CNMF)— a Federation of national nursing and midwifery associations in 53 Commonwealth countries. She also serves as CNMF's Atlantic Region Representative. Ms. Josey is a graduate of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Leadership for Change Programme (LFC) and a certified Trainer and National Coordinator for the CN LFC Programme for the Bahamas. In addition, she is a graduate of the ICN Global Nursing 
Leadership Institute (GNLI).  Ms. Josey is a Nursing Officer at the Public Hospitals’ Authority (PHA) in the Bahamas. A Registered Nurse for 40 years,  ​she holds certificates as a Human Resource Manager 1 & 2 from the College of The Bahamas and is also a graduate of Public Hospital’s Authority Master Mentorship programme, certified by the Royal College of Nursing. Her Master of Science (MSc), was as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at University of the West Indies, Mona. Her Master of Public Health Administration (MPA) in Business Administration & Management is from Mc Hari University in Nassau. ​
Co-Moderators
Maria Theresa ‘Tess’ Panizales, DNP, Dr. (h.c.), MSN, RN​     
​Speaking at minute 2:14 and throughout the Session
Dr. Panizales serves on NIGH's Board of Directors and now as Co-Chair of NIGH's ‘Student Nurses' Voices Speaker Series.’ Previously, she  took the lead for our  'Nurses' Voices from the Western Pacific' — Session Four of our 'Nurses' Voices Speaker Series'  She  also serves as NIGH's United Nations-NGO Representative in New York City. In July of 2023, she pro-
actively participated in the launch of NIGH's 'Nurses' Voices' campaign — shared virtually and onsite from Switzerland and the 2023 Caux Forum 'Healing the Wounds of the Past.'  She also shared her original language and culture by serving as NIGH's Advisor to establish the Tagalog / Filipino language version of the Nightingale Declaration. Dr Panizales has more than 40 years of professional nursing experience across the spectrum of healthcare both local and international — also including volunteer service.  As a nurse leader, her goal is to engage and build the next generation of nurses through mentoring and role modeling. Her first nursing professional work was with the Red Cross. Hence, working with refugees in a public health context is her important connection. She is currently working at the Veterans HealthCare Administration. 
Deva-Marie Beck, PhD, RN, DTM, HSGAHN   
Speaking at minute. 1:47 and throughout the Session
Dr. Beck is a Canadian American nurse, global citizen, and award-winning Nightingale scholar. For 20 years, she has served as a volunteer International Co-Director for the Nightingale Initiative for Global Health — leading workshops, keynotes, webinars, feature articles, videos, UN briefings, and to achieve NIGH’s UN ​ ​ECOSOC ‘Special Consultative Status.’  She has
recently been recognized as an Honorary Scholar of the Global Academy of Holistic Nursing (HSGAHN) for her leadership to promote and sustain global health care transformation and advocacy to achieve the United Nations SDGs. After a 30-year clinical career in Critical Care & Women's Health settings, she received her doctorate in 2002, from Union Institute & University, for her groundbreaking research to articulate Florence Nightingale’s relevance to today’s international health, development, education, and media. She has since authored and co-authored articles for numerous peer-reviewed journals and textbooks. Dr. Beck has recently achieved the highest-level Education Award from Toastmasters International — as a Distinguished Toast Master ‘DTM’.  She now aims to use this ‘credential’ to develop innovative ways to encourage and engage nurses and concerned citizens to share their voices and tell their stories in the global public arena.
Panelists
Donna M. Nickitas, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, CNE, FNAP, FAAN ​  
Speaking at minutes 14:11 and 1:38:18
Dr. Nickitas is an exceptional administrator, a noted health policy scholar, and an energetic visionary regarding the future of health care and nursing education in America. She serves as Dean of the Rutgers School of Nursing–Camden. Her long history of advocacy for equitable health care, expertise in academic nursing education, and proven ability to foster a culture of cross-sector engagement has ideally positioned her to lead the dynamic 
growth of the School of Nursing–Camden and build on the school’s tradition of leadership, scholarship, and service.  She believes wholeheartedly that nurses serve society and do public good by advancing health, driving public policy, and promoting access to quality, patient-centered care. She has also enjoyed a distinguished career at the City University of New York’s Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing and Graduate Center, where she played a critical role in growing enrollment and enhancing the national profile of this distinguished and historic School of Nursing.  Awarded many honors and fellowships, she is author, co-author, or co-editor of many peer-reviewed books and journals related to the nursing profession and, since 2008, has served as the editor of Nursing Economic$, a journal dedicated to advancing nursing leadership and innovation. Her writings inspire, enlighten, and motivate nurses to produce positive change on issues and trends affecting nursing and health care.  ​​
Kimberly Lugo   Speaking at minutes 20:07 — 1:30:57 and 1:31:00   
Kimberly Lugo is a first-generation senior nursing student at Rutgers University- Camden Honors College and the first nursing student to serve as Student Body President. She currently serves as the undergraduate student representative in the Camden Board of Directors, and as a Bonner Civic Scholar. She loves doing research, presenting her work on Alzheimer's disease and improving birthing conditions for Hispanic Women  in New Jersey-- winning first and second for this research.  She is also a member  of Sigma Theta Tau Honor 
Society — the Tri- Alpha Honor Society — and the National  Student Nursing Association. Currently, she works in the University of Pennsylvania Hospital Cardiac Progressive Care Unit.
Joseph Stapleton   Speaking at minutes 23.36 and 1:38:20
​Joseph Stapleton is a senior nursing student at Rutgers University-Camden. He serves as President of the Rutgers Camden Student Nurses Association and is an active member of Sigma Theta Tau Honors Society. He was a Critical Care Technician in the float department at Cooper University Hospital—allowing him to work on a myriad of floors such as the PACU, ICU, and Medical-Surgical units. He currently works at Cooper ​University Hospital on the Trauma Surgical Intensive Care Unit as a Critical Care Technician and participates in procedures such as thoracotomies, tracheostomies, and external ventricular drains.
Cheska Santos   Speaking at minutes 26:45 and 1:25:01
Cheska Santos is a Senior at Rutgers University-Camden School of Nursing. She serves as Secretary of the Student Nurses' Association, and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Eta Mu Chapter, as well as a member of the National Student Nurses' Association, and a member of Filipino League of Innovative Pinoy Students.
Tyshaneka Saffold, PhD, MSN, RN 
 Speaking at minutes 29:36 and 1:43:41 ​    
Dr. Saffold is an Assistant Professor at the Rutgers University School of Nursing-Camden. Dr. Saffold is an advocate who is passionate about improving the health of those in underserved populations. Her core values shape her philosophy of nursing: everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and compassion regardless of race or socioeconomic status. Her service relates closely to her commitment to ensure fair and ​equitable service to all regardless of their income level. Dr. Saffold volunteers both locally and internationally, providing free health and education services to community members. Dr. Saffold's program 
of research is health disparities in urban populations;equitable service to all regardless of their income level. Dr. Saffold volunteers both locally and internationally, providing free health and education services to community members. Dr. Saffold's program of research is health disparities in urban populations; prevention of both social and racial injustice; impact of poverty on health; and improving the health of vulnerable populations. Dr. Saffold has been a nurse for 18 years, with clinical expertise in the areas of cardiac care, community health, geriatrics, and leadership. Currently, her research centers on social determinants of health; particularly health disparities, social injustice, racial injustice, and inequalities in healthcare. 
Isabel Amelia Costa Mendes, PhD, RN   
Speaking at minutes 32:41 and 1:54.26
Dr. Costa Mendes is Emerita Professor at the University of São Paulo-Ribeirao Preto College of Nursing and serves as Coordinator of the Ibero-American Network of Nursing Editors working in Portuguese, Spanish and English. From 1994-1998 and 2002-2007, she served as Director of  the WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research development and was thus elected for two terms as Secretary General of Global Network of World Health ​
Organization  (WHO) Collaborating Centres for Nursing & Midwifery. She is  the Co-Founder, Co-Editor and collaborator of Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem, the top scientific nursing journal in Latin America. Since 2007, she has served as member of NIGH’s Council of Advisors, collaborating with NIGH’s Core Team to create Portuguese sub-titles for the video 'Nurses & Midwives: Now More Than Ever for A Healthy World,’ a co-production of NIGH and the World Health Organization to celebrate WHO’s 60th Anniversary. In 2020, she also provided the Portuguese version of the ‘Nightingale Declaration for A Healthy World’ to celebrate the WHO International Year of the Nurse & Midwife during the bicentennial of Florence Nightingale’s birth.   ​
Lucas Gardim, RN   Speaking at minutes 37:55 and  1:22:38
Lucas Gardim is a Registered Nurse and Master of Science student at the Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo, Brazil — a PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development. In 2023, Lucas was recognized as an Emerging Leader in the Americas by the Government of Canada. He is the founder of Humane Health Innovation, a student-led nursing organization where he currently serves as a ​Board Member. Additionally, Lucas was appointed as the inaugural Innovation & Entrepreneurship Trainee with SONSIEL — the Society of Nurse Scientists, Innovators, Entrepreneurs & Leaders, where he now serves as Global Innovation Lead, dedicated to advancing nursing innovation worldwide.
Agostinho Antonio Cruz Araujo, BScN, MScN   
Speaking at minutes 42:58 and 1:27.08
Agostinho A. C. Araújo holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) from the Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), Brazil, and is a Master of Science and Doctoral student at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo, a PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development. He had the opportunity to serve as a Visiting Scholar at the Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta (FoN/UAlberta), Canada. Additionally, Agostinho is a Certified Clinical Instructor (2024) by the Canadian Nurse Educators Institute (CNEI). His 
 work is deeply committed to advancing nursing education and empowering nursing students to contribute meaningfully to healthcare through evidence-based practice, innovative learning, and compassionate care.
Khaldoun Aldiabat, PhD, MSN, RN   
Speaking at minutes 46:10 and 1:48:42
Dr. Aldiabat is an Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for Research and Scholarship at Cape Breton University with extensive experience in nursing education, both in Canada and internationally. He holds a PhD in Nursing from the University of Calgary and a Master's in Community Health Nursing from the Jordan University of Science and Technology. Dr. Aldiabat's research interests include nursing education, mental health, community health, and chronic disease management. Over the past four years, he has secured multiple research ​
grants and has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles. He is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal of Multidisciplinary Qualitative Research and Associate Editor for the International Journal of Nursing Student Scholarship. His research focuses on nursing education, mental health, addiction, and chronic disease management. He is also affiliated with Nova Scotia Health Authority’s Center of Excellence in Healthy Aging and the Maritime SPOR Support Unit.
Sarah Galaise, LPN   
Speaking at minutes 50:13   — 1:30:27 and 1:32:23
Sarah Galaise graduated with honors from the Practical Nursing program at Algonquin College in 2000. Following graduation, she volunteered with the Missionaries of Charity in India, providing care to palliative care patients. Over the past 20 years, she has gained extensive experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse, working in acute care, long-term care, and palliative care across various locations in the Maritimes. ​Additionally, she has had the privilege of serving as a clinical supervisor for practical nursing and resident care worker 
​students in both acute and long-term care settings. She is currently in Term 7 of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Cape Breton University.
Brigid Milburn   Speaking at minutes 56:02 and 1:25:40​   
​Brigid Milburn is a Term 7 Nursing Student at Cape Breton University in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Growing up in Cape Breton, she developed a strong passion for sports, worked as a lifeguard on our beautiful beaches, and actively volunteered within her school and community. Her deep interest in first aid and commitment to community engagement naturally led her to pursue a career in nursing after completing high school.
Ben Inventor, PhD, CNP   
Speaking at minutes 1:03:08 — 1:35:38 and 1:45:28
Dr. Inventor serves as Associate Professor and Director of the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program at the Rush University, College of Nursing. He began his nursing career in the Philippines.  He continued his clinical experience in the United States while working in a variety of settings, including home health, long-term care, and acute care.  After obtaining a Master of Science in Nursing degree  as an Adult/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, he consulted with older adults in nursing homes. He received his PhD in
Nursing Science from Rush University, where he examined the impact of activities, social environment, and psychotropic medications on neuropsychiatric symptoms of nursing home residents with dementia.  His research interests focus on the effective management of neuropsychiatric symptoms, reduction of psychotropic medication use, caregiver skill-building to provide person-centered dementia care, and the use of pharmacogenomics to optimize therapeutic response and increase the safety of medications among older adults. ​
John Duffy, MSc, RN   Speaking at minutes 1:07:14 and 1:36:47
John Duffy believes in healthy society values and respects society's older populations, including understanding their healthcare needs. His passion for this belief inspired him to make this population the focus of his education. He is currently in the Rush University’s Generalist Entry Master’s Clinical Nurse ​Leader program, anticipating graduation in December 2024. He was selected as an inaugural Direct Entry student for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program and will begin in Fall 2025.
Leader program, anticipating graduation in December 2024. He was selected as an inaugural Direct Entry student for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program and will begin in Fall 2025. He will continue to focus on preventative care in older populations. Before his nursing career, he spent ten years in the technology industry, working primarily with hospitals and other healthcare organizations to implement new software and hardware investments.
Marc K. Balatero,  MSN, RN, CNL   
Speaking at minutes 1:12:55 — 1:21:44 and 1:41:52
​Marc Balatero resides in Los Angeles and is a long-distance Doctor of Nursing Practice student in the Rush University’s Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program. He received his Master’s Degree in Nursing from Rush University in 2016 and has been a registered nurse for about seven years now. He has worked in various settings, including the Step-Down nursing unit, Interventional Radiology, and Ambulatory 
Endocrinology, specializing in Diabetes and Thyroid Cancer care. In July 2023, he joined the Rush University College of Nursing as a practicing faculty member, working in two community partner clinics in the LA area serving low-income food service workers. In this role, he provides acute care services and health education within his RN scope. The goal is to help employees better understand their health and empower them to be more active in their health journeys. This current practice became his guiding light in nursing care and is central to pursuing higher education as a nurse practitioner.  ​
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