Senior Cecilia Aversano Selected as Flynn Nursing Fellow

Cecilia Aversano, a senior BSN student and president of the Monmouth University Professional Nurses Association, was selected as Monmouth's first Susan D. Flynn Oncology Nursing Fellow this past summer. Aversano completed her fellowship at Greenwich Hospital, part of Yale New Haven Health, where she worked alongside oncology specialists dedicated to compassionate, evidence-based care for patients and families navigating cancer treatment.

"The Susan Flynn Oncology Nursing Fellowship has been one of the most transformative experiences of my nursing education," Aversano said. "The program gave me unparalleled exposure to the many facets of oncology care, from infusion and radiation to palliative care and surgical oncology, all while learning from an incredibly compassionate and knowledgeable healthcare team. The Fellowship not only deepened my clinical skills but also strengthened my commitment to providing evidence-based, patient-centered care."

Since its inception in 2014, the Flynn Fellowship Program has attracted more than 4,300 applicants and prepared nearly 400 undergraduate nursing students for oncology careers. Two-thirds of program alumni are now practicing oncology nurses across the nation's top cancer centers. The program's vision, "to improve the quality of care for future cancer patients by inspiring and developing skilled, compassionate oncology nurses," continues to expand, with new partnerships and post-graduate scholarship opportunities emerging each year.

"Cecilia embodies the spirit of Monmouth's nursing program; compassionate, inquisitive, and dedicated to lifelong learning. Her selection as our first Flynn Fellow reflects both her individual excellence and the strength of our nursing community in preparing students for advanced, meaningful practice," said Shannon N. Clifford, Ph.D., acting dean of the Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies.

Clifford said the Flynn Foundation's recognition of Aversano's achievement also establishes a new pathway for future Monmouth nursing students interested in oncology and palliative care. "As the University's inaugural participant, Aversano's success underscores Monmouth's growing visibility in national initiatives that prepare graduates to serve with expertise and empathy in high-need healthcare fields," she added.

The Flynn Foundation, established in memory of Susan D. Flynn, partners with leading hospitals and nursing schools across the country to cultivate the next generation of oncology nurses. Through this competitive 8-10 week fellowship, rising senior nursing students receive immersive clinical exposure across key oncology settings; including infusion, radiation, surgical oncology, palliative care, and hospice, while being mentored by expert oncology nurses. Fellows also engage in academic enrichment through national Oncology Nursing Society courses, palliative care training, and evidence-based practice projects designed to advance patient-centered outcomes.