Nese College of Nursing

Inaugural cohort of nursing scholars recognized for their focus on gerontology

The inaugural cohort of Penn State Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence Scholars on a Zoom call with members of the CGNE administrative team. Credit: ProvidedAll Rights Reserved.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence (CGNE) has officially announced their first-ever cohort of gerontological scholars. Selected by the CGNE Scholars committee, Lindsay Calvert, Sanga Jung, and Lauren McNally were awarded the distinction for their academic excellence and commitment to gerontological nursing.

The CGNE Scholars Program seeks to enhance the lives and health of older adults through supporting students in their pursuit of a career in gerontology nursing research. It provides scholars opportunities to develop knowledge of aging and gerontological nursing research through educational events and seminars, direct engagement with CGNE-affiliated faculty and students, and mentorship by faculty experts.

Lindsay Calvert, an MSN student with an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care focus at the University Park campus, has a special interest and passion for the subject of trauma in the older adult population. She looks forward to opportunities to better understand and participate in trauma prevention, ongoing rehabilitation care after discharge, as well as working with experienced scholars to gain perspective and experience to become a better nurse to her patients.

Lauren McNally, a senior BSN student at the Hershey campus, decided the CGNE Scholar program was a beneficial avenue because of her interest and passion for ensuring the older adult population receives necessary healthcare attention. She looks forward to building her network within the gerontological research community and gaining unique learning experiences to improve her nursing and research practices.

“The CGNE is so unique and I am very excited to be a gerontological scholar this year!” said McNally.

Sanga Jung, a FNP certificate program student at the University Park campus, has clinical and research interests in primary prevention for older adults and elder-friendly technology. Through the scholar program, she hopes to learn more about holistic health management for older adults and to become a clinician that empowers them to live a fulfilling life.

The program was established through the vision of the CGNE Leadership Team under the direction of Nikki Hill, assistant professor and associate director of education for the Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence; Andrea Yevchak Sillner, assistant professor; and Ying-Ling Jao, assistant professor. Donna Fick, CGNE director; Janice Whitaker, CGNE administrator; and Chris Binduga, education program assistant, also contributed to the planning and implementation of this program.

“The CGNE Scholars Program brings our BSN and MSN students with an interest in gerontological nursing research together with our faculty in a unique way to provide a tailored learning and mentoring experience.” said Hill. “We hope students will be inspired to pursue a Ph.D. in nursing, and ultimately become leaders in improving the lives and care of older adults through education, research, and practice.”

The CGNE Scholars Program, like so many of the center's important initiatives, is funded annually through one of the endowments established by friends of the Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence. Each scholar receives a $4,000 scholarship plus up to an additional $1,000 funding to attend a scientific conference.

Scholars must be enrolled in the college’s BSN, MSN, or graduate certificate program (full or part-time), and are selected based on their academic excellence, professional commitment to gerontological nursing, and future plans to pursue a doctorate.

To read more about the program and its qualifications, visit this link.

Last Updated October 21, 2020

Contact