Downstate’s National Honor Society’s First Back-To-School Backpack Giveaway

By Office of the President | Nov 13, 2023

Downstate’s College of Nursing, under the Psi Tau Chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, successfully conducted its first Back-to-School Event Fair. This event was a cornerstone of the “Culture of Health” initiative with collaborative efforts among local schools, a family shelter, and our campus, leading to the distribution of nearly 200 backpacks stocked with essential school supplies for children in the community.

We appreciate the hard work of Angelique Johnson, RN, Nurse Manager and Nurse Leader member of Psi Tau Chapter, who created the event, and thank the many nurses on staff, the College of Nursing faculty, the Department of Medicine, and our interprofessional colleagues whose generosity made the event a success.

Thank you also to the members of the core committee, which includes Sarah Marshall, DNP, MS, RNC, Founding President of the Psi Tau Chapter, Kathleen Bratby, Ed.D., RN, President of the Psi Tau Chapter, and Patricia A. Winston, DNP, MS, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at University Hospital at Downstate and member of the Psi Tau Chapter Board.

Aligned with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s national initiative to promote a “Culture of Health” in local communities, the event supported children’s educational needs, reinforced the commitment of Downstate’s College of Nursing to community health and welfare, and received an overwhelmingly positive response, including from Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, Healthfirst, and HEAT.

We would also like to recognize our late colleague, John Zubrovich. This event was one of the last photoshoots conducted by John before his passing in September.