果酱视频

Jennifer Whalen ’09 made a remarkable impression on everyone she met.

Her former 果酱视频 nursing professor, Jacqueline Brandwein, described her this way: 鈥淚f you met Ms. Whalen, it wasn鈥檛 just that you鈥檇 remember her鈥�she was the kind of person whose presence was so strong that you would never forget her.鈥�

Before she came to 果酱视频, Ms. Whalen worked at Elmhurst Hospital Center in the Office of Strategic Planning and Development. Among her many accomplishments was securing a significant grant that enabled the hospital to build a state-of-the-art comprehensive cancer treatment facility.

When a member of the hospital鈥檚 administration approached Ms. Whalen to inform her that the hospital would pay for her education if she was interested in returning to school, Ms. Whalen knew exactly what she wanted to pursue: nursing. She always felt that nursing was the only way she could make a real difference in the world.

Jennifer Whalen ’09 (left) conducted research on Elmhurst Hospital Center鈥檚 multi-service induced hypothermia program

She enrolled at 果酱视频 for its nursing program鈥檚 excellent reputation. She excelled in her studies, earning her place in Sigma Theta Tau International, the honor society in nursing. She also served as the first vice president for the Nursing Students鈥� Association of New York State for the 2008-2009 term.

After graduating summa cum laude from 果酱视频 in 2009, she took a position at Elmhurst as a nurse in the hospital鈥檚 emergency department. The busy, fast-paced environment was a perfect fit for an energetic Ms. Whalen.

Her family and colleagues described her as compassionate. She smiled for everyone and had a desire to do whatever it took to make sure each and every patient felt valued.

In addition to practicing nursing, she was interested in research and how that knowledge could contribute to the advancement of her profession. In 2009, she was part of the team that decided to perform a retrospective review of the initial implementation of Elmhurst Hospital Center鈥檚 multi-service induced hypothermia program. The review was presented at the hospital鈥檚 annual Nursing Research Conference highlighting nursing鈥檚 integral role in the implementation of such a program.

Jennifer Whalen ’09 (left) and her coworkers celebrating New Years Eve with apple cider in the Elmhurst Hospital Center Emergency Department

A leader in the ER, she was promoted to a nurse educator at Elmhurst Hospital Center Emergency Department. When she was given 12 new nurses (compared to the two to three trainees a preceptor typically takes on), she was thrilled. She dedicated herself to enhancing the knowledge, skills, and abilities of a new generation of nurses.

Ms. Whalen considered her co-workers to be family. She was proud to work with colleagues who developed mutual respect for each other and created strong bonds. It was through team work that they created a high-quality work environment. Together, they were committed to providing patients with the best care possible.

In June 2013, Ms. Whalen was shocked to learn she had stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The day after she was diagnosed, she returned to work鈥攖o what she always referred to as her 鈥渄ream job.鈥�

Two months later, on August 23, Ms. Whalen celebrated her 42nd听birthday with a fundraiser to benefit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN) at Citifield. Surrounded by family and friends, Ms. Whalen and her supporters raised more than $5,000.

Jennifer Whalen ’09 with her parents, Tom and Carol Whalen, before heading to her 42nd birthday party, a fundraiser to benefit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

A daughter to devoted parents, a sister to a loving brother, a mother to two beautiful daughters, and a nurse to thousands of patients throughout her career, Ms. Whalen lost her battle with cancer on December 21, 2013.

The impact she made in the lives of others鈥攖hrough her spirit and passion, her strength and her positive attitude鈥攚ill never be forgotten. To honor their daughter鈥檚 memory at her听alma mater, in 2014 Ms. Whalen鈥檚 parents, Thomas and Carol, decided to establish a scholarship in their daughter鈥檚 name.

With their meaningful generosity, Ms. Whalen鈥檚 love of nursing will live on through the lives of the students who are able to pursue their dreams of becoming nurses with the help of the听Jennifer Whalen Leadership in Nursing Scholarship.

The Jennifer Whalen Leadership in Nursing Scholarship听will be awarded to students who exemplify leadership, compassion, and collegiality, the values by which Ms. Whalen lived.