Class of 2016: Two Nursing Doctoral Students Find Careers with Purpose

Nursing School Doctoral Graduate Finds First Zika Case in the United States

When Dyan Summers’ patient suggested he might have a disease called “Zika Fever” in 2013, she was dubious.

But as Dr. Summers has learned over her years working as a health care practitioner, most recently at Travelers Medical Service in New York City, “You listen to your patients, even if what they’re saying sounds a little wacky.”

Read her full story.

A Doctorate in Nursing Symbolizes One Graduate’s Personal Triumph Over Illness

In 2008, weeks after his college graduation, Paul Coyne suffered a stroke that left him with severe weakness on his left side and memory loss that caused him to forget so many words and memories that he had trouble recognizing himself.

After weeks in the hospital and rehab, Dr. Coyne was well enough to move to New York City to begin work as a derivatives analyst at Goldman Sachs. He had a eureka moment during a routine doctor’s visit when, seeing himself in a mirror gowned for a checkup, he thought of the many nurses and nurse practitioners who had helped him after his stroke.

“I knew that there had to be more to the life I had fought so hard to keep than processing derivative settlements on Wall Street,” Dr. Coyne said. “I wanted to find a career with purpose and meaning, a career that would allow me to help others who were not as fortunate as I was to recover.”

Read his full story.