• SoN Home >
• Alumni & Friends >
• Distinguished Graduates

Distinguished Graduates Spring 2007

 

Raquel Benavides-Torres
Outstanding Graduating PhD Student

Raquel Benavides-Torres is co-recipient of the Outstanding Graduating PhD Student Award. After finishing her bachelor’s and master’s in Nursing Science in 2003 in Mexico, Raquel received a scholarship from the Mexican Government System of Education to pursue her PhD at UT’s School of Nursing. Raquel is currently a professor of Nursing in Mexico and is a peer reviewer for both US and international journals. Raquel is a coordinator for the Latino American Nursing Students Association in Mexico, is an active member in Sigma Theta Tau International, and has several scholarly publications and presentations. As a future career goal, Raquel hopes to establish a PhD program at The University in Nuevo Leon, and encourage graduate and undergraduate students to continue their education.

 

Hsing-Mei Chen
Outstanding Graduating PhD Student

Hsing-Mei Chen is co-recipient of the Outstanding Graduating PhD Student award. After working as a cardiovascular and critical care nurse for eight years and a nursing instructor for four years in Taiwan, Hsing-Mei traveled to the US to complete her PhD at The University of Texas. At UT she is involved as a research assistant and is a member of the American Heart Association and Sigma Theta Tau International. Amongst her many accomplishments while at UT, Hsing-Mei received a dissertation award from the Epsilon Theta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International and has made several presentations at international, regional and local conferences. She also successfully translated a widely used instrument into Mandarin-Chinese and her work is now on a website for use by others worldwide. Today, Hsing-Mei looks to the future with this thought- “the life of tomorrow has been created today.”

 

Emily Grigsby
Outstanding Graduating MSN Student

Emily Grigsby is the recipient of the Outstanding Graduating MSN Student award. While at UT, Emily was an instructor for the American Heart Association, an intern for the quality management branch with the Department of State Health Services and a representative for the Association of Nurses in Graduate School. Amongst her many accomplishments in these activities, Emily is the liaison for the School of Nursing and University Health Services. At UHS, she revised and formulated the nursing and administrative policies and procedures. Emily is also certified in advanced cardiac life support and a member of Sigma Theta Tau International and Gamma Beta Phi Honor Societies. References described Emily as professional and enthusiastic and said that “her compassion to create an environment conducive to learning leads her to accept the challenge to find new and creative ways to make nursing better.”

 

Heather Maymon
Outstanding Graduating Alternate Entry MSN Student

Heather Maymon is the recipient of the Outstanding Graduating Alternate Entry MSN Student award. After receiving her Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees, Heather came to UT to pursue a graduate degree in nursing. While at the School of Nursing, Heather served as president and financial director for the Association of Nurses in Graduate School and was affiliated with the nursing student and foundation advisory councils, and the senate of college councils.  Additionally, Heather was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society, completed her gerontology portfolio, and presented a poster at the 2007 CHPR research conference.
References commended Heather’s leadership qualities and described her as a “model student representative.”  

 

Maresha Clark
Outstanding Graduating BSN Student

Maresha Clark is co-recipient of the Outstanding Graduating BSN Student award. While at UT, Maresha served as President of the African American Nursing Student Association. She was also an active member with UTNSA, Texas Nurses Association and the Nursing Student Advisory Council. As a research assistant, Maresha participated in research and presented her findings at several local and regional research conferences. Maresha was a summer intern at The Methodist Hospital in Houston. One of her evaluations stated that Marsha’s “passion for nursing, professional manner and willingness to learn shined throughout her internship”. After graduation, Maresha will continue to grow as a nurse at Methodist Hospital.

 

Karen DiValerio
Outstanding Graduating BSN Student

Karen DiValerio is co-recipient of the Outstanding Graduating BSN Student award. While at UT, Karen served as President of The University of Texas Nursing Student Association. She provided tutorial services for pre-nursing students in biology, anatomy and physiology, and nursing research. Karen was also an active member of the council of presidents for the Senate of College Councils and was captain of the UT Women’s Water Polo Team. Karen has come to understand and appreciate the quality of nursing in the US as she designed and conducted an independent study project of Argentina’s healthcare system. Faculty references commend Karen’s professionalism as they describe her as a great role model and leader in nursing. After graduation, Karen will continue to grow as a nurse at the Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.