 DIRECTOR Judy Ruggiri, DNP, MSN, BS, RN Assistant Clinical Faculty, Quinnipiac University Judy Ruggiri brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as a Board Member of The Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce (CCNW). With a strong background in nursing and education, Judy is passionate about cultivating a healthy workplace culture and fostering a sustainable healthcare workforce. As a board member of CCNW, Judy is committed to leveraging her existing relationships, cultivating new connections, and identifying synergies that lead to mutually beneficial outcomes. Her goal is to build a strong and sustainable nursing workforce in Connecticut, ensuring that the community receives the highest quality healthcare services. Her commitment to aligns perfectly with CCNW's mission of providing exceptional healthcare services to the community. As a Board member, how can you contribute to the mission of CCNW which is to foster collaborations to ensure a highly educated, diverse, and sustainable nursing workforce to support the healthcare needs of CT residents?  DIRECTOR John Rodis, MD, MBA, FACHE President, Arista Health, LLC Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Frank H. Netter School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University John F. Rodis, MD, MBA, is the founder and president of Arista Health, LLC, a healthcare consulting company whose mission is to drive quality, safety and patient experience and reduce risk in hospitals and health systems. He served as president of Saint Francis Hospital from 2015-2020, the eighth leader of Saint Francis and the first physician to serve as president since its founding in 1897. Under Dr. Rodis’ leadership, Saint Francis, a 617-bed major teaching hospital, the largest Catholic hospital in New England, earned its Level 1 Trauma Designation, opened its Smilow Cancer Hospital at Saint Francis and the Karl J. Krapek Comprehensive Women’s Health Center. During his tenure, the hospital garnered numerous awards and recognition including the 2018 and 2019 Women’s Choice Award® as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience, was named as one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals by IBM Watson Health™ and one of the World’s 1000 Best Hospitals by Newsweek. Moreover, the hospital attained eight consecutive “A’s” for Patient Safety from the Leapfrog Group. Dr. Rodis is the author or co-author of over 100 papers published in peer-reviewed professional journals. He served as Chairman of the Connecticut Hospital Association’s Quality Committee and was a member of its Executive Committee and Board of Directors. He currently serves as vice-chair of the Board of Trustees of the University of Saint Joseph. He was awarded the 2020 Regent’s Senior Careerist Award by the Connecticut Association of Healthcare Executives. In 2021, he became a member of Healthgrades Quality Advisory Board. Since 2022, he has been the President of the Moving To Value Alliance, a 501(c)(3) organization of healthcare influencers with more than 900 members from 42 states committed to creating more value in Healthcare. As a Board member, how can you contribute to the mission of CCNW which is to foster collaborations to ensure a highly educated, diverse, and sustainable nursing workforce to support the healthcare needs of CT residents?  EX-OFFICIO Marcia Proto, M.ED, CAS Executive Director, The Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce, Inc. Marcia enjoys a successful career in State & National Association leadership, nursing education & workforce development, healthcare fundraising, and statewide coalition building. She is currently Executive Director for The Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce (CCNW) as well as the owner of Marcia Proto Consulting, LLC. Her work has involved connecting people through education and targeted skills training toward fulfilling career paths, particularly in the nursing field.
Marcia has spent the past 25 years ensuring that the nursing workforce will meet the nation’s growing healthcare needs by contributing to and engaging in state and national task force activities such as the Center to Champion Nursing in America, a national initiative funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in collaboration with AARP; and the National FORUM of State Nursing Workforce Centers.
Lisa Rebeschi, PhD is the Associate Dean in the School of Nursing at Quinnipiac University. Previously, she served as Chairperson and Chief Nurse Administrator at Southern Connecticut State University, leading programs at the baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral level. Dr. Rebeschi is credentialed by the National League for Nursing as a Certified Nurse Educator. She serves as an accreditation site visitor for the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education. Her areas of research and scholarship include curriculum development and evaluation, patient safety competences, and the use and impact of educational technologies. Currently serving as Co-Chair of the Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce, she previously served as the President of the Board of Directors for the Connecticut League for Nursing. As a Board member, how can you contribute to the mission of CCNW which is to foster collaborations to ensure a highly educated, diverse, and sustainable nursing workforce to support the healthcare needs of CT residents?  DIRECTOR April L. McGrath DNP, BA, RN, NPD-BC, CENP Director of Clinical Education and Student Nurse Programs, and Program Director for the Graduate Nurse Residency Program Waterbury Hospital April L. McGrath DNP, BA, RN, NPD-BC, CENP April McGrath DNP, RN, NPD-BC, CENP is currently the Director of Clinical Education and Student Nurse Programs, and Program Director for the Graduate Nurse Residency Program at Waterbury Hospital. In addition, she works as an adjunct professor at Charter Oak State College, and an appraiser team lead for ANCC’s Practice Transition Accreditation Program. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce and multiple academic advisory boards throughout Connecticut. April has worked in nursing education and professional development since 2015 and is a strong believer in lifelong learning. She is a second-career nurse with a BA in Visual and Performing Arts from Fairfield University, an ADN from Gateway Community College, and an MSN in Education from Sacred Heart University. She earned her DNP from Salve Regina University in 2023 with a dissertation focused on enhanced leadership development in a graduate nurse residency program. As a Board member, how can you contribute to the mission of CCNW which is to foster collaborations to ensure a highly educated, diverse, and sustainable nursing workforce to support the healthcare needs of CT residents?  Vivienne Friday, EdD, MSN, RN, MSOL Dean, School of Nursing and Health Professions, Chief Nurse Administrator, and Associate Professor, Goodwin University Dr. Vivienne Friday is the Dean, School of Nursing and Health Professions, Chief Nurse Administrator, and Associate Professor at Goodwin University She is passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and has shared her knowledge and passion for this topic at local, state-wide, and national platforms. She is also a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) DEI Leadership Network. Collectively they explore innovative approaches to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in academic nursing and the nursing workforce. Her passion extends to helping to build a more diverse healthcare workforce. Consequently, she is engaged in pathway initiatives with students from elementary to high school at an identified educational institution. In addition, Dr. Friday has implemented holistic admission practices for the nursing programs. This is an evidence-based method that has been proven to attract a more diverse student population. Dr. Friday also enjoys mentoring and is one of the mentors of the American Nurses Association (ANA) National Mentoring Initiative which supports entry-level nurses in the academic progression process. She has used her expertise from these experiences to develop similar mentoring activities for faculty and students alike at her institution. Dr. Friday is a civic-minded professional and volunteers her time with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP); North Central Area Agency on Aging (NCAAA); and the CT. Center for Nursing Workforce (CCNW). As a Board member, how can you contribute to the mission of CCNW which is to foster collaborations to ensure a highly educated, diverse, and sustainable nursing workforce to support the healthcare needs of CT residents?  DIRECTOR Goetti Francois, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC Clinical Instructor of Nursing Quinnipiac University and Outpatient Provider at Integral Health Associates Goetti Francois, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC is a Board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner who has worked in clinical psychiatric settings since 2016. Throughout her career path, she has held a passion for helping others. After graduating from the University of Connecticut with bachelor’s degrees in sociology and nursing. Following this she joined AmeriCorps and taught at an elementary school in Rhode Island. After her Americorps service, Goetti returned to work as a registered nurse in her home state of Connecticut. A growing desire to help individuals in a deeper and more longitudinal capacity led her to get her Master’s in Advanced Nursing at Yale. Goetti currently provides outpatient psychiatric care in the New Haven community. Goetti joined Quinnipiac University as Nursing faculty in the Fall of 2022. As a Board member, how can you contribute to the mission of CCNW which is to foster collaborations to ensure a highly educated, diverse, and sustainable nursing workforce to support the healthcare needs of CT residents?  DIRECTOR Justin Drew, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, FAONL Vice President, Ambulatory & Clinical Services, Middlesex Health Justin the Vice President of Ambulatory and Clinical Services at Middlesex Health in Middletown Connecticut. This role includes oversight of departments such as the Cancer Center, Radiology, Laboratory, Rehabilitation services, and Homecare, to highlight a few. Justin is a recent past President of the Organization of Nurse Leaders (ONL). His healthcare leadership is strongly infused with the principles of shared governance and nurse autonomy that he has helped promote over his 16 year tenure at Middlesex Health, which is a 5 time designated Magnet facility. Additionally, the elements of strength based leadership, and appreciative inquiry have large influences on his leadership style. As a Board member, how can you contribute to the mission of CCNW which is to foster collaborations to ensure a highly educated, diverse, and sustainable nursing workforce to support the healthcare needs of CT residents?  DIRECTOR Dawn Bunting, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, FAADN Director, Capital Community College (Retired) As a nurse for over 45 years, my experience has included employment in various healthcare settings. Additionally, I have over 25 years of leadership experience, encompassing healthcare and in higher education. As of June 2022, I retired from Capital Community College having been the Division Director of Nursing and with 25 years of teaching experience. I served as a member of CLN’s Program Committee for over six years, and for the CLN/CCNW Board of Directors since 2018. Additionally, have been a board member for the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses, St. Thomas Catholic Elementary School, University of Hartford’s Advisory Board and Goodwin College’s Advisory Board. In November 2018, I was inducted as a fellow into the Academy of Associate Degree Nursing. Currently serving as an adjunct faculty at Capital Community College, Charter Oak State College, and the University of Hartford. Most recently appointed Program Director, CT Center for Nursing Workforce to develop and launch the New FT Nurse Faculty Preparation Course in May, 2023. As a Board member, how can you contribute to the mission of CCNW which is to foster collaborations to ensure a highly educated, diverse, and sustainable nursing workforce to support the healthcare needs of CT residents?  DIRECTOR Janene Batten, EdD, MLS Research & Education Librarian Harvey Cushing, John Hay Whitney Medical Library, Yale University Janene Batten, EdD, MLS has been a trusted ally to nurses since becoming a medical librarian. Her expertise is connecting people and ideas to ensure the inclusion of diverse perspectives. She consults and collaborates with clinical nurses on pressing clinical issues and helps world-class clinical nurse researchers with their research. She also works with faculty and students, supporting best-in-class scientific research and teaching in graduate programs. Her research focuses on centering the voices of nurses, focusing on K-12 school nurses, which has led to meaningful collaborations with these community-based nurses for over 17 years. Janene is Secretary and a member of the Board of the Association of School Nurses of Connecticut. As a Board member, how can you contribute to the mission of CCNW which is to foster collaborations to ensure a highly educated, diverse, and sustainable nursing workforce to support the healthcare needs of CT residents? |
2025 Annual Nursing Workforce Supporters
OUR MISSIONTo foster collaborations to ensure a highly educated, diverse, and sustainable nursing workforce to support the healthcare needs of Connecticut residents.
Terms of use Policy | Privacy Policy
Event Policy: No refunds will be given two (2) weeks prior to any event |
LoginContact UsFor more information or questions, please complete the online form to contact CCNW via email.
Nursing Newsletter |