COVID Diaries

Rutgers alumni, students, faculty, and staff are working on the front lines and behind the scenes to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. From providing direct patient care, to leading and supporting nursing staff, to raising funds for PPE– while working, studying, teaching, and conducting research under difficult circumstances–members of the Rutgers School of Nursing community are driven to make a difference. We are thankful and proud to share their stories.


Share your own COVID story to encourage and inspire others. Submit your info here.


Jennifer Plescia

Alumna, DNP ’17; emergency department RN and advanced practice nurse in urgent care


Elizabeth Talmont

Student, DNP executive weekend program; vice president of research development at a social service agency.


Karissa Padila photo

Karissa Padilla

Alumna, DNP in Leadership May ’20; nurse informaticist at a medical center


Luisa Tinapay photo

Luisa Tinapay

Alumna, BS in Nursing ’18; emergency department/trauma nurse


Emilia Iwu photo

Emilia Ewu

June 4, 2020

Assistant professor at Rutgers School of Nursing, alumna, and global health practitioner


Anna Yanisko

June 4, 2020

Student, DNP program, emergency department nurse, acute care facility, certified EMT


Alejandra Chacon photo

Alejandra Chacon

June 4, 2020

Student, RN to BS program; staff nurse in pediatrics at an acute care hospital


Gina Miranda-Diaz, photo

Gina Miranda-Diaz

Alumna, DNP ’12, public health nurse currently doing COVID-19 contact tracing in local communities


Olunfunke Ayetigbo photo

Olufunke Ayetigbo

Alumna, BS in Nursing ’17; staff nurse in oncology unit.


Busola Salako

May 8, 2020

Alumna, BS in Nursing, 2018 (second-degree program) and staff nurse in a hospital telemetry unit


Angela Varela

May 7, 2020

Alumna, BS in Nursing 2019, and staff nurse in a pediatric emergency department


Jonathan Candelaria

April 21, 2020

Alumnus, BS in Nursing 2017, and staff nurse in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU)


Anoush Kalachian

April 21, 2020

Student, DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner