(Front row, seated L to R) are the 2021 BMT RN Fellowship Graduates – Ami Patel BSN, RN; Jesenia Perez, BSN, RN; Emily Coiro, BSN, RN; Lindsay Cosgrave, BSN, RN; and Samantha Sagun, BSN, RN. (Back Row, L to R) – Judy Miranda, Nursing Director Oncology; Brenda Diaz, Education Specialist; Anne Corbett, Nurse Manager; Maria Feinstein, Clinical Nurse Specialist; Diana Cardona-Munoz, BSN, RN, Mentor; Ruth Guzman-Peralta, BSN, RN, BMTCN, Mentor; April Camiling, Clinical Nurse Specialist; Ramonita Jimenez, Administrator; and Denise Quinn, Education Specialist. *Photo Submitted

Press Release

HACKENSACK, N.J. – On Friday, May 7, 2021, Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center held its fifth annual graduation ceremony for five nurses enrolled in the Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) RN Fellowship program. The ceremony was held at the John Theurer Cancer Center. 

The 12-month training program prepares new nursing graduates and nurses with limited or no work experience in a stem cell transplant setting to excel as specialty BMT nurses. The fellowship is offered annually to nurses who apply for positions in the stem cell or BMT units. The program is tailored to meet individual training needs through clinical and classroom education provided by physicians, preceptors and nurse mentors — all BMT nurse fellows who previously graduated from the program. 

Class of 2021 fellows include Emily Coiro, BSN, RN; Lindsay Cosgrave, BSN, RN; Ami Patel, BSN, RN; Jesenia Perez, BSN, RN; and Samantha Sagun, BSN, RN. Class of 2021 mentors include Diana Cardona-Munoz, BSN, RN; Ruth Guzman-Peralta, BSN, RN, BMTCN; and Allyson Martell, BSN, RN, BMTCN.

“Our nurses are central to the success of our Bone and Marrow Transplant program, which is one of the leading BMT programs in the nation,” said Michele L. Donato, M.D., FACP, CPE, Director, Adult Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, Hackensack University Medical Center. “Our fellows go above and beyond for their patients, and their well-deserved graduation from the BMT RN Fellowship program is further evidence of their dedication.”

“Hackensack University Medical Center was the first hospital in the nation to offer this type of program to provide best-in-class training for nurses in BMT care delivery,” said Anne Corbett, MS, BSN, RN, nurse manager, 8PE and 8PW Bone Marrow and Transplant, and BMT RN fellowship coordinator, Hackensack University Medical Center. “Our BMT nurse fellows — as well as our educators — are an inspiration for their commitment to excellence in patient care.”

“Graduation from the BMT RN Fellowship program is an important career milestone and professional achievement,” said Mark Sparta, FACHE, president and chief hospital executive, Hackensack University Medical Center. “I want to extend my congratulations to our five newest BMT nurse fellows and my gratitude to the mentors, educators, leaders and colleagues who supported our fellows throughout the program.”

“This is such a proud moment for our Blood and Marrow Transplant Fellowship graduate nurses, said Judy Miranda Rankin, DNP, RN, administrative director, Inpatient, Oncology & Magnet Program director. “These nurses are invested in providing exemplary clinical practice and advancing their professional career growth. They are here to lead and inspire their peers to follow the same path. 

Congratulations to our outstanding BMT nurse fellows.”