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��ñ��’s Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences hosted a Homecoming Brunch on Saturday, Sept. 27, welcoming alumni and their families, students, faculty, staff, donors and friends. The event honored �ٱ𳦰���’s 2025 Alumni Achievement Awards recipients and recognized donors to the Assessment Kit Sponsorship program and students who received those kits.

In his remarks, Decker Dean Mario R. Ortiz said the college enrolled 269 new undergraduate students and 122 new graduate students this fall, along with more than two dozen faculty and staff members. He also highlighted the ongoing growth of �ٱ𳦰���’s academic programs, which now include new undergraduate degrees and minors, as well as graduate degrees and advanced certificates.

“It’s an exciting time for Decker College as we grow, innovate and continue making a positive impact — and none of it would be possible without your support,” Ortiz told attendees. “To our current students in the room: I encourage you to introduce yourself to an alum today. Ask about their experiences, career paths and advice. Our alumni are living proof of the legacy you are now part of.”

Alumni Awards

Decker College’s network of more than 7,300 alumni spans the globe. This year, the college recognized four impactful individuals, three from the nursing program and one from the public health program.

Edwin Torres received the Dean’s Alumni Impact Award for creating a legacy of excellence and inspiring future nurses. Torres earned his bachelor’s (2010), master’s (2014) and doctoral (2022) degrees in nursing from Decker College. He also earned master’s degrees in healthcare leadership and business administration from Cornell University. He is a nationally recognized nurse practitioner, educator and community health leader whose career exemplifies clinical excellence, academic achievement and public service. As the founding provider of Montefiore Einstein’s Diabetes Outreach Program, Torres cares for more than 10,000 patients, improving outcomes in some of New York’s most underserved communities. He advocates for health equity and social justice through his work as a founding member of Montefiore’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and as a community advocate with organizations like PA’LANTE Harlem and the Hamilton Heights Tenant Association. His many honors include the Nurse Practitioner Association’s Luminary Award, ��ñ��’s Medal of Distinguished Service and multiple citations from the New York City Council and New York State Legislature.

Annie DePugh was honored with the Emerging Leader Alumni Award as a graduate from the past 10 years who has demonstrated potential as a healthcare leader. DePugh earned a nursing degree from the University at Buffalo and held various nursing roles across the state before returning to ��ñ�� to join United Health Services (UHS). In 2022, she earned a Master of Public Health degree and a certificate in disaster management from Decker College. Currently, she is the interim director of employee and occupational health at UHS, where she has spearheaded impactful health equity initiatives. She also co-founded one of the state’s first high-risk COVID-19 vaccine clinics and advocates for public health programs in the local community. Her numerous awards include the Greater ��ñ�� Chamber of Commerce HYPE Award, the UHS L.O.V.E.D. Award and �ٱ𳦰���’s Academic Excellence in Public Health Award.

“Public health can be challenging and complex to navigate, and sometimes, it can take a toll,” DePugh said. “But this career is also deeply rewarding because once you’ve overcome those obstacles and worked through those challenges, you’ve made a true difference in someone’s life.”

Kamila Barnes received the Accomplished Alumni Award, which recognizes those who demonstrate excellence in clinical practice, research, health policy, health education or health administration, provide exemplary service to humanity or have distinguished healthcare careers. A 2007 graduate of �ٱ𳦰���’s undergraduate nursing program, Barnes earned her master’s and doctor of nursing practice degrees from the University of Rochester School of Nursing. She is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and the inaugural associate dean of entry into nursing practice at Pacific College of Health and Science. Barnes, a healthcare leader, clinician, educator and advocate, founded and owns Barnes Health Affiliates. She is a maternal health advocate who is working to end health disparities. She serves as the national chair of the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) Black Maternal Health Task Force and a national board member of the NBNA. Among her many honors are being a distinguished fellow of the NBNA’s Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing and being a fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine.

Jonathan LaChance was honored with the Decker Connection Alumni Award for maintaining strong ties to Decker College and ��ñ��. He earned his bachelor’s (2012) and master’s (2015) degrees in nursing from Decker before earning a second master’s degree in nurse anesthesiology from Albany Medical College. LaChance has built an impressive career in critical care and anesthesia, serving as a flight nurse, ICU nurse and certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) at Albany Medical Center. Throughout his professional journey, he has remained loyal to Decker as an adjunct clinical instructor from 2014 to 2016 and as a mentor. His “coffee chat” last fall drew dozens of students who came to hear about his journey from student to CRNA. At the event, he gave every student his cell phone number. His dedication to advocacy and community service, from leading the Northeast Kidney Foundation to founding a 5K that has raised tens of thousands of dollars for kidney health, matches his commitment to supporting and uplifting the next generation of nurses.

“Helping current students navigate their journey is one of the most rewarding parts of staying involved,” LaChance said. “I see myself in so many of them — the uncertainty, the passion, the drive to make a difference. If I can offer even a small piece of guidance or encouragement that helps someone find their footing, then I know I’m doing something right.”

Assessment Kit Sponsors and Recipients

Donors and recipients of Decker College’s Assessment Kit Sponsorship program were also recognized at the Homecoming brunch, including Baccalaureate Accelerated Track (BAT) student, Madison Boss, who received a kit this summer.

The program lessens the financial burden for undergraduate nursing students like Boss. Starting with their first nursing assessment course, students must have medical assessment kits for clinical and simulation experiences. These kits cost approximately $150 and include a professional-level stethoscope, blood pressure unit, diagnostic penlight, bandage scissors and a Kelly hemostatic clamp.

�ٱ𳦰���’s Division of Advising and Academic Excellence established the Assessment Kit Sponsorship program seven years ago to help students afford these essential items.

“As a grateful recipient of a sponsored assessment kit, I speak on behalf of all of us when I say thank you all for your incredible generosity,” Boss said. “When I was preparing for nursing school, there seemed to be endless to-do lists and long lists of expenses. I often felt more anxious than excited to begin this new journey. The email that my assessment kit would be sponsored transformed a moment of stress into genuine excitement and relief, and I will always be grateful for that.”

For the academic year 2025-26, sponsors funded 100 student kits.