Seventy summer and fall graduates of the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) at the Universities of Shady Grove (USG) in Rockville, Md. will earn Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees Friday, Dec. 13 at USG, positioning them to play key roles in filling the state’s nursing workforce needs. Cheryl Cioffi, DNP ’11, MSN ’00, BSN ’98, RN, ANP-BC, NEA-BC, FACHE, senior vice president, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer for Frederick Health in Frederick, Md., will be the keynote speaker.

Cheryl Cioffi

WHAT: UMSON Convocation Ceremony at USG. (A similar convocation ceremony for Baltimore-based UMSON students will be held Dec. 12 at the Hippodrome Theatre, with 220 graduates receiving various degrees.) USG is a collaboration of nine public degree-granting institutions bringing programs from across the state to a central location in Montgomery County.

WHY: Maryland is one of four states in the nation anticipated to experience a shortage of 10,000 or more registered nurses by 2025. To meet workforce demands, UMSON established a BSN program at USG at its opening in 2000. Since that time, the School’s educational offerings have expanded greatly, including a Registered Nurse-to-BSN degree, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program’s Family Nurse Practitioner specialty.

WHERE: Universities at Shady Grove, Building II, Multipurpose Room, 9630 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville.

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 13, 1-3 p.m.

WHO: Keynote speaker Cheryl Cioffi, DNP ‘11, MSN ’00, BSN ’98, RN, ANP-BC, NEA-BC, FACHE, senior vice president, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer for Frederick Health in Frederick, MD. Cioffi has been in healthcare for 24 years, serving in progressively responsible clinical and leadership roles. She became a nurse through Frederick Community College and continued her education at the University of Maryland School of Nursing to earn a bachelors, masters, and Doctorate in Nursing Practice.  She holds national board certifications as an adult nurse practitioner, nurse executive, and fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

CONTACT: Mary T. Phelan, senior media relations specialist, at 443-615-5810 or maryphelan@umaryland.edu, who will be present to assist media.

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The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

The Universities at Shady Grove is part of the University System of Maryland and the partner campus of nine Maryland public universities, all of which share in the mission of creating educational and economic opportunities for the residents of Montgomery County and the surrounding region. Since its founding in 2000, USG has been providing innovative approaches to some of higher education’s biggest challenges — quality, access, and affordability. Over the last 16 years, USG has grown its initial offering of 14 undergraduate degree programs to more than 80 degree programs awarded by nine of Maryland’s top public universities.