Kate Guzmán, ’06 was named Oakland County Health Officer. She will oversee nearly 350 employees in the Oakland County Health Division, advancing the county’s strategic goal to protect and improve resident’s health.
Laura Wood, ’12 was inducted into the West Virginia University Academy of Distinguished Alumni.
Congratulations to JHSON alumni inducted as 2024 fellows in the American Academy of Nursing:
Rebecca R.S. Clark, ’18
Clara M. Gona, ’96
Kelli Garber, ’90
Melissa D. Hladek, ’18
Kathleen A. Schachman, ’18
Laurie A. Saletnik, ’07, ’09
2025 Dean’s Alumni Awards
Chelsea Samms, ’15 is the 2025 recipient of the Outstanding Nurse Educator Award for her dedication, innovation, and leadership in nursing education. At Northwell Health, she leads high-acuity clinical trainings and supports new nurses while continuing NICU practice and professional development. As founder of I Know Newborns, LLC, she advances community education to reduce Black infant mortality and inspire the next generation of nurses.
Roberto Roman Laporte, ’18 earned the Outstanding Nurse Researcher Award. Roberto is a nurse leader, educator, and researcher whose work has advanced evidence-based practice, nursing education, and health equity. A Johns Hopkins Executive DNP graduate and former Jonas Scholar, he served as a nurse scientist mentoring health care professionals and contributing to his hospital’s Magnet designation, while also holding editorial roles in nursing research publications. He is now the co-founder and chief innovation officer of VitalBridge Health, a primary care practice in Palm Beach developed to provide innovative treatment at an affordable rate for marginalized, uninsured, and underserved communities of South Florida.
Natalia Barolín, ’15 received the Outstanding Policy Influencer Award, recognized for her leadership in health policy and advocacy at local, regional, and national levels. With a background in public health, oncology nursing, and strategic communications, she translates nursing expertise into impactful policy solutions. As senior health policy advisor at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, she leads initiatives that advance health system reform, equity, and community-based care, including the innovative Neighborhood Nursing model. She also mentors future nurse policy leaders and continues to shape Maryland’s health care landscape through advocacy and strategic reform.
The Cynthia and Peter Rosenwald Awards
Shequila Edwards earned the Cynthia and Peter Rosenwald ICU Nurse of the Year Award. After completing her postgraduate nursing degree in 2020, she worked in emergency and hospice care in Los Angeles before joining the cardiac ICU at Johns Hopkins Bayview in February 2024. Known for her compassion, teamwork, and dedication, Shequila quickly became a valued member of the CICU night shift team. Her exceptional patient care earned her
the Daisy Award in 2024.
Julie Peter is the 2025 recipient of the Cynthia and Peter Rosenwald Nursing Innovator of the Year Award. Julie led the development of education and training for the Johns Hopkins Health System’s virtual nursing program, collaborating across teams to align technology, workflows, and curriculum. Julie ensured flexible training options, created a hands-on practice repository, and addressed site-specific needs to support successful implementation. Her work is driving a system-wide transformation in nursing care, enhancing satisfaction, quality, and efficiency.
Alumni Weekend Recap
In April, the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and Johns Hopkins Nurses’ Alumni Association (JHNAA) welcomed back alumni for Alumni Weekend. It all kicked off with a networking social in the city, where nursing alumni and students reconnected with old friends and welcomed new members into the Hopkins community. On the Homewood campus, nursing faculty members Janiece Taylor and Nicole Warren delivered inspiring presentations as part of the weekend’s celebrations.
On Saturday, the weekend culminated with the annual Alumni Brunch. This year, Dean Sarah Szanton,
the JHNAA, Deb Kennedy, and Deb Baker recognized award recipients. Attendees also enjoyed fellowship and celebrated special reunion milestones, including the Church Home & Hospital Class of 1975’s 50th anniversary.
This year’s celebrations aligned with the Hopkins Alumni Weekend. This provided opportunities for alumni and students to connect and to share with the broader Hopkins community while still honoring the treasured traditions of the School of Nursing.
The school and JHNAA are grateful to everyone who took part in Alumni Weekend and look forward to seeing you next year!
Help Build a Tribute to Hampton House
Hampton House, home to Johns Hopkins Nursing students for almost 50 years (1926-73), is being demolished to make way for a new Johns Hopkins Life Sciences building.
Powerful memories will live on of the halls, floors, and people of Hampton House, where so many nursing students lived through hot summers, cold winters, national cultural upheavals, and a world war, in addition to navigating the formative years of young adulthood and becoming a Hopkins Nurse.
Appreciating the significance of Hampton House for so many alumni, the cornerstone and several bricks have been gathered for a tribute. Please share your own memories, which may become part of that tribute.
Please send them to:
Jane Williams Ball, [email protected]
Maureen Moore Dodd, [email protected]
Class of 1969
In Memoriam
Annette Lindamood, ’58
Gertrude Hodges, ’59
Kathleen Bramlette, ’63
Susan Boyd Netherland, ’68
Charlotte Trout, ’69