Dean's Awards

Dean’s Staff Service Award

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Recognizes the achievement of exemplary service to the College of Health Professions.

Sergio Fernandes
Manager
Information Technology Services
College of Health Professions

Over his 25 years of dedicated service to 91����, Sergio has embodied the core values of commitment, innovation, and excellence in every facet of his role.

As IT Manager for the College of Health Professions, his impact has been wide-ranging and deeply felt. From resolving everyday technical challenges with calm professionalism to leading large-scale projects such as the recent nursing accreditation process, Sergio has shown tireless commitment and leadership. His ability to manage complex systems while offering patient, user-friendly support has made him an indispensable part of the CHP community.

His colleagues routinely describe him as a kind, reliable, and innovative professional. He is widely known for his gracious demeanor and prompt responsiveness, always arriving with a solution, a smile, and a genuine desire to help. Whether it was delivering a laptop to a colleague’s home during the pandemic or training faculty on cutting-edge technologies like generative AI, Sergio always leads with generosity and purpose.

Sergio is a collaborator, mentor, and bridge-builder who fosters inclusivity, encourages innovation, and supports professional growth. He has helped launch major academic initiatives, such as the Pleasantville Physician Assistant Program, and has guided faculty through transitions in learning management systems and digital platforms with exceptional clarity and patience.

The impact of Sergio’s service resonates across departments. As noted by a colleague from the Client Support Office, his thorough assistance has even reduced the number of support tickets, demonstrating his effectiveness and long-lasting solutions. Another faculty member noted, “Sergio exemplifies the very spirit of service, commitment, and leadership that this award represents.”

Sergio Fernandes is more than an IT Manager, he is a trusted colleague, a problem-solver, a leader in service, and the embodiment of what the Dean’s Staff Service Award seeks to honor.

Dean’s Faculty Service Award

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Recognizes the achievement of exemplary service to the College of Health Professions.

Kindred (Kinna) Shulgin, MS, PA-C
Director of Admission
DEI Coordinator
Clinical Associate Professor
91����-Lenox Hill Hospital Physician Assistant program-NYC

Throughout Kinna’s seven years at 91����, she has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to service at every level, departmental, college, university, and professional, distinguishing herself as a dedicated educator, mentor, and institutional leader.

Her service contributions span a broad and impactful spectrum. She is an active member of numerous committees, most notably the NYC Faculty Council’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, where she works to foster a more inclusive and socially responsive academic environment. Her commitment to access, equity, and community-building resonates through all her professional engagements.

A cornerstone of her service has been her leadership in admission process reform, where she played a pivotal role in updating and streamlining admissions for the Physician Assistant-NYC program. This effort not only increased operational efficiency but also aligned admissions strategies with institutional goals related to diversity, inclusivity, and academic excellence.

Kinna exemplifies service through action and mentorship. As a clinical preceptor, she devotes significant time and energy to guiding PA students, often sharing real-time clinical insights from her ongoing practice. Her students consistently describe her as a supportive, empowering presence whose belief in their potential fuels their own confidence and development. As one former student shared, “I felt confident and encouraged; I felt capable. I became excited for my career ahead.”

Beyond her direct work with students, Kinna contributes to the broader PA community through scholarly engagement. She has presented at state and national conferences, including the New York State Society of Physician Associates and the Physician Assistant Education Forum, and published peer-reviewed work on inclusive and equitable virtual interviewing practices.

Her outreach and engagement efforts extend to recruitment and community building, including participation in graduate admission fairs, presentations at local universities, and meet-and-greet events for accepted students. These initiatives reflect her passion for shaping the future of healthcare through advocacy, representation, and relational leadership.

Colleagues describe her as a tireless advocate, a model of professionalism, and a steadfast contributor to institutional growth. Whether behind the scenes redesigning systems, in the classroom mentoring students, or representing the University externally, Kinna serves with humility, integrity, and purpose.

Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence

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Acknowledges achievement in teaching and the scholarship of teaching.

Elizabeth (Lizzy) Sgambelluri, PA-C, MPAS, MES, PgCert. Wildlife Health
Clinical Assistant Professor
91����-Lenox Hill Hospital Physician Assistant program-NYC

Elizabeth (Lizzy) Sgambelluri’s teaching is a remarkable blend of intellectual rigor, innovation, compassion, and inspiration. As a member of the PA-NYC faculty, she has made an extraordinary impact on her students and colleagues alike in just three years. Her teaching philosophy is deeply rooted in the belief that education is not just about imparting knowledge, it is about fostering understanding, growth, and empowerment.

Lizzy employs a cognitive learning approach in her pedagogy, emphasizing the importance of reflection, critical thinking, and the connection between past knowledge and new material. Her courses, particularly Human Physiology and Pathophysiology, are among the most demanding in the program, yet students consistently report that her methods make the material digestible, engaging, and meaningful. She uses case-based learning, Test Your Knowledge exercises, mind maps, visual aids, and What’s the Buzz?! peer-teaching activities to promote long-term retention and real-world application. Her lectures are filled with step further, clinical application, and think back prompts, which create a dynamic, student-centered learning environment.

What truly sets Elizabeth apart is her unwavering commitment to student success and well-being. She fosters a safe, supportive classroom where students feel seen and valued. Her empathy and dedication shine through in the countless hours she spends answering questions, offering office hours, creating review sessions, and even providing snacks to support students through long lecture days. She is known for her uplifting emails that arrive just when her students need encouragement the most.

In their recommendations, students call her their light on the hardest days and describe her as their number one supporter. Her balance of academic excellence and emotional intelligence creates a transformative educational experience. As one student noted, “Professor Sgambelluri is our biggest cheerleader, the one who keeps us going, and the guiding light for all her students, even on our darkest days.”

Outside the classroom, Lizzy maintains an active clinical practice as a primary care provider, enriching her instruction with current, real-world medical experience. She is also engaged in innovative interdisciplinary research, including a patent-worthy study on cortisol levels in lions, demonstrating her commitment to lifelong learning and scholarly excellence.

Her leadership extends beyond her courses. She serves as faculty liaison to the Student Academy of the American Academy of Physician Associates (SAAAPA), mentoring students in professional and community service projects. Her program chair, Jean Covino, praises her as a source of inspiration to colleagues, a leader in curriculum innovation, and a role model in professional development.

In every capacity, professor, mentor, clinician, researcher, Lizzy embodies the highest ideals of the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Teaching. Her work not only prepares students for clinical success but also empowers them to lead with empathy and resilience. She transforms the classroom into a space of possibility and growth. Her students will carry her lessons and her spirit of excellence throughout their careers. Lizzy is not just an outstanding teacher, she is an extraordinary educator whose influence will be felt for generations to come.

Dean’s Award for Outstanding Research/Scholarship

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Acknowledges achievement in research and scholarship as evidenced by peer reviewed presentations, publications, and grant awards, and/or other forms of recognition.

Jason Slyer, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, CNL, FNAP, FNYAM
Director of Graduate Practice Programs
Associate Professor
Department of Graduate Nursing

Jason exemplifies the highest standards of academic excellence, translational research, and mentorship within the College of Health Professions. A nationally recognized expert in evidence-based practice (EBP) and translational science, his body of work bridges research and practice to improve healthcare outcomes. His scholarly record includes over 25 peer-reviewed publications, over eight book chapters, and over 20 national and international presentations at prestigious forums including the Cochrane Colloquium, Global Evidence Summit, and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF). His research has garnered over 800 citations, reflecting an h-index of 15, and he currently serves as senior associate editor of JBI Evidence Synthesis.

Jason’s impact is grounded in three major areas of scholarship:

• Translational Science & Evidence-Based Practice
  As assistant director of education at the Northeast Institute for Evidence Synthesis and Translation (NEST), a JBI Center of Excellence, Jason has trained researchers worldwide in systematic reviews and evidence translation. He co-authored 12 systematic reviews cited over 570 times, including one that influenced the 2024 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway for Heart Failure. His role as a JBI certified trainer and Cardiovascular Expert Reference Group member reinforces his international leadership in EBP.
• Shared Decision-Making and Patient-Centered Models
  Through collaborations with PhD colleagues, Jason developed and published a model of shared decision-making to enhance nursing education, research, and clinical care. This work has been cited over 160 times and has directly influenced practice guidelines and NP curriculum at 91����. His integrative review and concept analyses on this topic are widely referenced and incorporated into diagnostic and management coursework.
• Competency-Based NP Education via the PRIME-NP Model
  As a core contributor and working group lead in the PRIME-NP National Consortium, Jason has shaped a national framework to assess and enhance NP clinical competence. His work on adapting and evaluating the PRIME-NP model has led to successful multi-institutional collaborations with Johns Hopkins, University of Florida, and others. He led studies evaluating clinical OSCE rubrics, secured internal research funding, and has shared these innovations through podium and poster presentations at NONPF’s 2024 and upcoming 2025 conferences.

In addition to his prolific research, Jason is a dedicated mentor, guiding numerous DNP students through publication-worthy EBP projects. His mentorship has resulted in multiple peer-reviewed publications and presentations authored by students. His teaching innovations, particularly in courses like NURS 820 and NURS 860, have transformed how EBP is taught and applied in clinical settings.

His colleagues have praised his sustained excellence and emphasized his leadership in translational science and describe him as a bridge between academia and clinical practice, praising his national leadership in NP education and healthcare improvement.

Jason’s contributions exemplify the values of 91���� and the mission of the College of Health Professions. His work not only advances nursing science but also elevates the practice and education of healthcare professionals on a global scale.