May 30, 2003

Milestone reached for Institute of Health Professions graduates

The MGH Institute of Health Professions welcomed 75 new graduates with masters of science in nursing degrees to the nursing profession at the Institute's May 10 commencement ceremony, held on the quadrangle of Harvard Medical School.

Peter L. Slavin, MD, president of the MGH, brought greetings on behalf of the hospital, while Ambassador Linda Tarr-Whelan, former US Representative to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, delivered the keynote address. Tarr-Whelan, who started her career as a nurse, began her speech by saying, "When I chose to be a nurse — even when I got my graduate degree — I never in a million years thought my career would take me to the White House or to the United Nations."

Rosenbloom, left, with Keaveney's daughter, Madeline

Tarr-Whelan, noting the proximity of her remarks to Mother's Day, recalled that "some of the best advice I ever received came from my mother — if a door opens, go through it." Scanning the crowd, Tarr-Whelan urged the new graduates to consider that "many times others see qualities of leadership in you that you don't see in yourself. This is particularly true for women."

Aisling-Jo Flanagan, MSN '03, approached the day in a mood of bittersweet joy. Her mother, a nurse trained in Scotland, had passed away in February. Lining up for the procession into the main ceremony, Flanagan felt a tap on her shoulder. It was her mother's sister, who had traveled from Kinross, Scotland, to surprise her. "It was great to have her there in support of all the energy, effort and determination getting this degree required," said Flanagan.

This year also marked the introduction of the Josephine Mangio Keaveney Memorial Nursing Prize, named in memory of a 1940 graduate of the former MGH School of Nursing. The prize — awarded to the outstanding student from the registered nurse post-professional program who best exemplifies the caring, spirit and professionalism of Josephine Keaveney — was presented to Deborah Ann Rosenbloom, MSN '03.

To learn more about the Institute's entry-level and post-professional programs in nursing, physical therapy, speech-language pathology and clinical investigation, visit www.mghihp.edu.