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Jessica Wetzel Staschak



Jessica Wetzel Staschak
BSN '00, MSN '03
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

The following is the citation read at the College of Nursing Convocation on May 15, 2004 before the Claire M. Manfredi Graduate Nursing Leadership Award was presented.

Jessica Wetzel Staschak, of Whitehall, Pennsylvania, is a talented young woman who distinguished herself at the College of Nursing as an undergraduate, earning the Medallion for Academic Excellence upon graduation in May, 2000. She has continued her pursuit of excellence in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner track of the Graduate Program, graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Jessica's independent study was titled Adolescent Violence Prevention Initiative: A Program to Reduce Fighting and Weapon Carrying Among Urban 7th Graders.

In addition to scholarly excellence, Jessica demonstrated her leadership talents and commitment to the profession and community through the Alpha Nu chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International — nursing's honor society — and the Graduate Nurse Network where she served as president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. She was an active participant in college and university initiatives including the 50th Anniversary Student Celebration, VQI — Villanova's quality improvement program, the Academic Standing committee and Graduate Scholars' Day. She was also a tireless graduate assistant, ensuring advancement of our programs.

Jessica is currently employed as a pediatric nurse practitioner for ABC Pediatrics — a partner in the Lehigh Valley Health System.   We anticipate many more successes in Jessica's future. She exemplifies the ideals consistent with an award named for our former Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies, Dr. Claire M. Manfredi.