The UConn Elisabeth DeLuca School of Nursing graduated 119 students from the Accelerated Second-Degree CEIN/BS Program on December 16, 2025. As part of the celebration, the School presented the Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award to distinguished alumna Cheryl Ficara, RN, MS, NEA-BC.

The one-year Accelerated Second-Degree CEIN/BS Program enables students to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Family and friends filled the venue, cheering on graduates as they reached this significant milestone.

During the ceremony, UConn Nursing Dean Victoria Vaughan Dickson, Ph.D., RN, FAHA, FHFSA, FAAN, announced faculty, student, and alumni awards, including the Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award.

This award honors a UConn Nursing graduate who has made meaningful contributions to clinical practice, education, research, and service. Dean Dickson highlighted Ficara’s exceptional leadership, dedication to addressing the patient-care challenges of a rapidly evolving healthcare environment, and long-standing impact on the nursing profession.

“I am so grateful to be recognized by an institution that has shaped so many exceptional nurses and leaders,” said Ficara at the ceremony. “I am proud to share this moment with you today and with all of the recipients who were recognized before me. UConn Nursing truly fosters a culture that values vision, resilience, and advocacy.”

Ficara earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UConn Nursing, which she described as providing an “exceptional foundation” for her career. She later completed the Wharton Nursing Leaders Program and an advanced Lean Management in Healthcare program.

Over the course of her career, Ficara rose to become the 24th president of Hartford Hospital, and the first woman to hold the role in the hospital’s more than 150-year history. She joined Hartford Hospital in 1990 and held numerous positions before stepping into the presidency. Despite her executive leadership, Ficara often reminds others that she will always be “a nurse first.”

“Throughout my career, I have worked in critical care, surgical services, and perioperative services—taking on leadership roles, mentoring colleagues, and developing initiatives, all with a steadfast focus on improving patient care, experience, and staff engagement,” Ficara said. “My bedside nursing experience continues to influence my decisions as an executive leader today.”

Her commitment to the profession extends to her involvement in several organizations, including the American Nurses Association, Connecticut Nurses Association, Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses, American Organization for Nurse Leaders (AONL), and Sigma Theta Tau, Mu Chapter, the School’s honor society.

Throughout her journey, Ficara has followed one guiding philosophy: “just say yes.” This mindset has shaped her approach to new opportunities, challenges, and her ongoing commitment to exceptional patient care.

Addressing the Accelerated Second-Degree CEIN/BS Class of 2025, she shared, “You have learned that nursing is more than a profession; it’s a promise. A promise to advocate for those who cannot speak, to comfort those in pain, and to bring hope when it feels out of reach.”

She then quoted Florence Nightingale: “Let us never consider ourselves finished nurses…we must be learning all of our lives.” Ficara reminded graduates that nursing requires curiosity, adaptability, and a deep commitment to human connection. “Go forward with confidence, compassion, and courage. Remember, this is the beginning of a lifetime of learning,” she said.

Ficara also acknowledged the clinical mentors and preceptors who shaped the graduates’ journeys—just as her mentors shaped hers. She encouraged graduates to express their gratitude and added, “Most importantly, we are proud of you.”

“This achievement is not just a reflection of your hard work; it is a testament to your character and your promise to serve others with excellence and empathy,” she said. “As you leave here today, hold your heads high. You are not just graduates; you are innovators, advocates, and healers.”

She closed with a message of confidence and purpose: “As you begin your careers, remember this: you are not just joining the future of healthcare; you are transforming it. And the world needs exactly what you bring. Congratulations, graduates. The journey ahead is bright, and it is yours to lead.”