CNHS celebrates the Class of 2026 as they close one chapter and get ready for what’s next: heading into new experiences near and far and bringing their skills and compassion into the health professions, all beginning under a bright blue sky! ☀️
#UVMgrad
Continuing our student spotlight of the CNHS Class of 2026. . .🎓 #UVMgrad
1. Shayenne Tomasik
When Shayenne Tomasik arrived at the University of Vermont, she was looking for more than a strong academic program, she wanted a place that would challenge and support her while helping her find direction. UVM stood out for its close-knit Exercise Science program, hands-on research opportunities, and access to clinical settings, all within Burlington’s active, outdoor community. A defining moment came in Dr. Jeremy Sibold’s Sports Psychology course, where his enthusiasm inspired her to pursue research. She later joined his lab, studying the connections between screen time, physical activity, substance use, and adolescent mental health. With his mentorship, she earned an undergraduate research grant and presented award-winning work at a regional conference. Shayenne expanded her experience in Dr. Boyi Dai’s Biomechanics Lab. Beyond research, she served as co-president of the Exercise Science Club and volunteered with the Unified Fitness Program. After graduation, she plans to take a gap year to gain clinical experience before pursuing medical school.
2. Gabriella Anticevic and Mia Cullen
For Gabriella Anticevic and Mia Cullen, their Public Health Sciences capstone project became more than an academic requirement; it helped shape their future paths in health care. Partnering with Vermont Youth Leaders in Aging, Gabriella and Mia coordinated intergenerational visits between high school students and older adults. Through shared activities such as games and conversation, these gatherings fostered meaningful connections. They improved well-being for both seniors and teens while encouraging younger participants to engage more thoughtfully with aging populations, and the experience is shaping their next steps. Both plan to pursue graduate education: Gabriella in nursing, with a focus on hospice care, and Mia as a future physician assistant.
(Find commencement and livestream details at the link in our bio.)
From first day nerves to this defining moment:
Today, our future nurses received their pins, marking the completion of their nursing education and honoring a tradition that began over 150 years ago with Florence Nightingale. What started as a “badge of courage” has become a lasting symbol of compassion, resilience, and a commitment to care.
Surrounded by friends, family, and the people who supported them every step of the way, this milestone is more than a ceremony. It is a promise to serve, heal, and lead with heart.
And just like that, celebrations for the CNHS Class of 2026 have officially begun!
(Find commencement and livestream details at the link in our bio!)
#UVMgrad
We’re getting ready to celebrate the CNHS Class of 2026 and we’re excited to introduce some of its members! To all of our graduates: CNHS is incredibly proud of you, and we can’t wait to see all the great things ahead. #UVMgrad
1. Savannah Rijkse
“I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in health care, but the faculty and coursework in communication sciences and disorders solidified my goal of becoming a speech-language pathologist in a school setting,” says Savannah Rijkse. At UVM, Savannah’s academic experience emphasized professional, clinical, and social communication through coursework, clinical observations, and collaborative discussion. For her senior capstone, she participated in a service-learning research project with the UVM Justice Research Center and the Prison Research and Innovation Network. The experience broadened her perspective on the intersection of incarceration and health. Living both on and off campus, along with studying abroad in Costa Rica and Ireland, strengthened her adaptability and cultural awareness. With strong communication skills and a wide range of experiences, Savannah is well prepared for her next step: serving as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in South Korea beginning in January 2027.
2. Olive Brown
The strength of the nursing program, combined with the University of Vermont’s deep connection to nature and wilderness, first drew Olive Brown to UVM. While applying to colleges in high school, Olive was planning a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, and UVM’s setting and values felt like a natural fit, both academically and personally. One of the most impactful courses for Olive was Public Health Nursing, which explores upstream factors that shape health and the critical role nurses play beyond hospital walls. Inspired by Dr. Teresa Graziano’s passion and ability to connect course material to current events, Olive developed a strong interest in public health, one that led them to become a CPR instructor for their clinical practicum. After graduation, they plan to pursue a nursing position, ideally in oncology.
As we celebrate National Nurses Week, we’re recognizing how much nurses give every day and the paths that lead them there.
UVM alumna Alison Gates Brown ’78, MPH, BSN, was inspired early on by her parents’ commitment to service and science, which led her to pursue a nursing education at the University of Vermont. She went on to build a 45 plus-year career at the forefront of health care, including serving as president of the University of Maryland Medical Center.
In 2026, Brown and her husband, Ken Kolodner, ScD, expanded a scholarship they established to support students in UVM’s Direct Entry to Master of Science in Nursing Program. The program creates a path for graduates from non-nursing fields to enter the profession, and this scholarship helps remove barriers for those pursuing a graduate nursing degree.
It’s a powerful example of how nurses give back to the next generation of caregivers.
Learn more at the link in bio.
The 2026 Zeigler Research Forum is all about celebrating student research in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Join us to explore more than 70 student poster presentations, short data blitz talks, and awards recognizing outstanding work across CNHS.
This year’s forum will also include a keynote by Jana M. Iverson, Ph.D., a nationally recognized researcher whose work focuses on early development and learning.
May 6, 2026 | 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Davis Center
Learn more via the link in bio.
📸 Josh Defibaugh
Another exciting update from this semester!! 🎉
We’re thrilled to highlight the Go Baby Go initiative which was an exciting interprofessional collaboration between Speech-Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Biomedical Engineering students! Together, we designed and adapted ride-on vehicles with alternative access methods, opening the door for young children of all abilities to experience independent mobility, exploration, and play.
This project was a vibrant example of what’s possible when disciplines come together - sparking innovation, breaking down barriers, and creating meaningful change so every body has the opportunity to move, engage, and thrive. ❤️👏🚗
#slp #cnhs #uvm #csd #gobabygo
Reducing Social Isolation Through Intergenerational Connection
For their senior capstone project, Gabriella Anticevic and Mia Cullen (Public Health Sciences ’26) partnered with Vermont Youth Leaders in Aging (VYLA) to address social isolation among two at-risk groups: high school students and older adults.
VYLA brings together older Vermonters, high school students, and UVM student facilitators at seven senior living and nursing care communities across Chittenden, Franklin, Addison, and Washington counties. Through structured, long-term intergenerational engagement, the program demonstrates how meaningful cross-generational relationships can strengthen mental and emotional well-being across the state.
Why it matters:
• 9% of Vermont seniors experience frequent isolation, and 13% report having no support network
• 86% of Vermont high school students report negative emotional states, yet fewer than 1 in 10 have a trusted adult they can talk to
“These outstanding students have played an integral role in the success of this pilot program by facilitating intergenerational discussion and activity groups,” said Marissa Birne, education lead for the University of Vermont’s Center on Aging.
Gabriella and Mia presented their work alongside their peers at the Public Health Capstone Showcase on April 28 in UVM’s Hoehl Gallery. After graduation, both plan to pursue graduate education: Gabriella intends to study nursing with a focus on hospice care, while Mia plans to become a physician assistant.
📸 Left to right: Gabriella Anticevic, Mia Cullen, Marissa Birne
Data sources: Age Strong Vermont; Vermont Department of Health
(Learn more about the Public Health Sciences program at the link in bio.)
#uvmgrad
Hey, MEPN and graduating BSN students: don't let the NCLEX exam stress you out.
Dana Health Sciences Library is here to support you with a display full of study guides, practice questions and flash cards.
See Dana's hours (link in bio) and drop by to lock in.
#NCLEX #BSN #MEPN #UVMLibraries #Nursing
Public Health Week reminder: Standard drinks matter.
Stop by the Davis Center today to meet Arpana and Mason, who are hosting this event in collaboration with Winooski Partnership for Prevention as part of their Public Health Capstone project.
Learn how binge drinking is defined, how standard drink sizes work, and practical, evidence‑based ways to reduce risk. Free standard drink glassware available while supplies last.
Davis Center, ground floor
Friday, April 10
12:30–3:30 PM
Learn more: link in bio
The deadline is almost here. Submissions are already reflecting a wide range of perspectives - there’s still time to add yours!
📝 Submit your proposal by April 10
🔗 Learn more — link in the bio
📅 Save the Date: September 24–25 | UVM Davis Center + virtual
Presented by:
• University of Vermont Health
• The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont
• UVM College of Nursing and Health Sciences
