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Mercy College triple alumna Jacqueline Cassagnol ’09, M.S. ’10, P.M.C ’11 is the founder and president of Worldwide Community First Responder (WCFR).

A Pace University nursing student who founded an international first responder organization in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes in Haiti has won a 2020 Jefferson Award.

National Award Honors Ordinary Citizens Doing Extraordinary Acts of Public Service

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – September 25, 2020 — A Pace University nursing student who founded an international first responder organization in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes in Haiti has won a 2020 Jefferson Award, a prestigious national honor that recognizes America’s top change makers and ordinary citizens who are doing extraordinary acts of public service.

In selecting Jacqueline Cassagnol for a National Award for Outstanding Public Service, Multiplying Good, the nonprofit organization that administers the Awards, cited the Rockland County resident’s on-the-ground life-saving volunteer work in Haiti and her subsequent creation of Worldwide Community First Responder, Inc., which provides health education, first-aid and disaster preparedness training to people in the United States and Haiti. Since the organization was established in 2011, it has educated and trained more than 350,000 community members in critical life-saving skills.

Cassagnol, a doctoral candidate in nursing at Pace’s College of Health Professions, is the first student from Pace to earn the national honor, and the third member of the Pace community. She joins an impressive list of people who have earned an award that is often considered the “Nobel Prize for Public Service.” This year’s other national winners include actress and activist Kristen Bell, Youth Villages CEO Patrick Lawler, and TOMS clothing brand.

“I couldn’t be prouder of Jacqueline Cassagnol’s many accomplishments, now including becoming Pace University’s first-ever student national Jefferson Award winner,” said Pace President Marvin Krislov. “Pace students are committed to serving our community, and Jacqueline embodies that. I’m impressed and inspired by her leadership, hard work, and dedication. She is truly deserving of this great honor.”

Over the past four decades, the list of Jefferson Award recipients has included hundreds of national figures — both public and private —more than 63,000 unsung heroes, and tens of thousands of employees and young people that represent the good that is happening in communities across the country. The list of winners includes an impressive who’s who of cultural icons, political dignitaries and everyday community members and volunteers.

“For nearly 50 years, we’ve used recognition to inspire everyone to find a way to serve others,” explained Hillary Schafer, CEO of Multiplying Good. “By celebrating service on a national stage, we elevate the spirit of America, the resiliency of its people, and the good that is all around us.”

“Jefferson Award recipients represent the highest level of service to others,” Schafer continued. “By telling their stories, we encourage them to do even more and inspire others to make a difference through service.”

The Jefferson Awards is the nation’s largest and longest-running awards ceremony honoring public service. The Awards, which are traditionally held twice a year at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., were entirely online this year. It was presented as a one-hour streaming video and aired a collection of inspiring stories that celebrate unparalleled service to others. It also included special recognition of One in a Million awards campaign winners who’ve had a positive impact through service in the face of crises.

Pace University, a champion of the Jefferson Awards since 2008, also held a virtual viewing party that included staff, students and faculty. Cassagnol was among 12 local bronze award winners and was chosen to represent Pace at the virtual awards ceremony.

In addition to winning a national Jefferson Award, Cassagnol has earned many other honors for her work. She was named “Nurse of the Year” by the March of Dimes at its Fifth Annual gala in New York; designated a “Rising Star” by the Rockland Economic Development Corporation at its Annual Forty Under 40 Reception in 2014; presented with the Safe Community Award by Volunteer New York; and inducted into the New York Academy of Medicine in November 2018. In 2019, the New York Yankees named Jacqueline a “Nurse Hero,” and she won the Haitian American Young Citizen of the Year Award from the U.S. Haitian Chamber of Commerce.

In her acceptance remarks, Cassagnol congratulated her peers and noted that it was a great honor to represent Pace University at the Awards.

“I am so grateful to Pace University and Multiplying Good for recognizing extraordinary public service,” Cassagnol said. “Congratulations to all of the recipients of this prestigious award tonight. Your contributions, your sacrifices, your collective enthusiasm clearly are making a significant difference. You are all leaders, highly deserving of the recognition you have received.”

Dr. Harriet R. Feldman, dean of the College of Health Professions and the Lienhard School of Nursing at Pace University, and past Jefferson Award recipient, said Cassagnol was an inspiration and example for others.

“I applaud our student Jacqueline Cassagnol on this extraordinary honor,” Dean Feldman said. “Her dedication to the well-being of local, regional and global communities will surely inspire others in the Pace Community and beyond about the importance of service. We are very proud of her!”

About Multiplying Good

Multiplying Good is a national nonprofit that uses service to others and recognition as tools to unleash potential, inspire individuals, and transform lives. It has offices in 11 communities across the country, delivering on-the-ground impact where it is needed most. Founded in 1972 by Sam Beard, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Senator Robert Taft, Jr., the organization has recognized the extraordinary public service of thousands with its Jefferson Award. Additionally, Multiplying Good fuels personal growth and leadership development through a continuum that starts with engagement and culminates in recognition. To learn more, visit MultiplyingGood.org or follow Multiplying Good on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

About Pace University

Pace University has a proud history of preparing its diverse student body for a lifetime of professional success as a result of its unique program that combines rigorous academics and real-world experiences. Pace is ranked the #1 private, four-year college in the nation for upward economic mobility by Harvard University’s Opportunity Insights, evidence of the transformative education the University provides. From its beginnings as an accounting school in 1906, Pace has grown to three campuses, enrolling 13,000 students in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in more than 150 majors and programs, across a range of disciplines: arts, sciences, business, health care, technology, law, education, and more. The university also has one of the most competitive performing arts programs in the country. Pace has a signature, newly renovated campus in New York City, located in the heart of vibrant Lower Manhattan, next to Wall Street and City Hall, and two campuses in Westchester County, New York: a 200-acre picturesque Pleasantville Campus and a Law School in White Plains. Follow us on Twitter or on our news website.

In what was described as perhaps the best ever Caribbean American Healthcare Awards ceremony, 30 health care professionals were honored Tuesday night by Caribbean Life.

In what was described as perhaps the best ever Caribbean American Healthcare Awards ceremony, 30 health care professionals were honored Tuesday night by Caribbean Life and Schneps Media during the paper’s annual gala commemorating Caribbean American Heritage Month.

It was standing-room-only at the sell-out, extravagant affair at Paradise Catering Hall, on Avenue U in Brooklyn, as Trinidad and Tobago’s Xavier Strings brought patrons to their feet with heart-throbbing performances. Motivational speaker Dennis Rahiim Watson also entertained the audience.

Organizers said they were “proud to honor” the “exceptional” 30 health care professionals for “all they do, and have done, to advance our health care system to its best possible outcome.”

“We are about you,” Victoria “Vicki” Schneps, president and founder of Schneps Media and co-publisher of Caribbean Life, told the ebullient honorees and patrons. “Tonight, we’re about the spectacular people who’re being honored with the Caribbean American Health Care Awards.

“You put this on,” she added. “It’s my honor to put the spotlight on you. We’re thrilled to have you celebrate with us.”

Schneps described the honorees as “outstanding,” stating that “they continue to leave an extraordinary combined footprint in our thriving city of limitless opportunities.”

Dr. Mathieu Eugene, the Haitian-born representative for the 45th Council District in Brooklyn, said it was “an honor” to address the ceremony.

“Somebody’s doing a wonderful job with Caribbean Life,” he said. “Thank you, Victoria, you bring us all together. Let’s put our hands together for Victoria (patrons reciprocated).

“If you don’t have (good) health, it does not mean anything,” added the City Council’s Health and Welfare Committee member. “On behalf of the honorees, you’re doing a wonderful job, especially the nurses. That’s why, together with my colleagues, we’re fighting for fair wages.”

Claudette Powell — the Jamaican-born former president of the Caribbean American Nurses Association and past honoree of the Caribbean American Health Care Awards — who served as mistress of ceremonies — said the health care professionals were honored for their “immeasurable contributions to the U.S.”

“Tonight, we will honor some of the best in the health care industry,” she said. “There’s one common thread: we’re very proud of our roots. Tonight, you’ll hear 30 remarkable people.”

Those “remarkable people” comprised: Amun Handa, Rose Elizabeth Arbouet, Gloria Murray, Jacqueline Cassagnol, Dr. Seanna-Kaye Denham Wilks, Tracey Ledeatte, Dr. Cascya Charlot, Sherly Demonsthenes-Atkinson, Kamini Doobay, Eustecia Herman, Dr. Cyrus McCalla, Noreen Peters, Danica Dorlette, Candace Cummings, Michelle Smith-Allen, Pamela Abner, Nurses Association of Counties of Long Island and Miranda Toussaint.

The others were: Dr. Adesh Randass, Joan Saint Fleur, Dr. Vilma Joseph, Chanelle Small, Audry Radcliffe, Andrew Campbell, Hulitt (Hope) Scott, Heather Tucker, Gladys Williams, Michelle Joseph, Ann Whyte-Akinyooye and Jennifer Trotman.

“I’m sure there are many, many people who could have gotten this award, but am happy it’s me,” said Guyanese-born Murray, a certified nurse midwife and nurse practitioner, who owns Mercy Midwives Women’s Health Center on Webster Avenue in the Bronx, to huge laughter.

In accepting her award, Dr. Denham-Wilks, the Jamaican-born patient care experience officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, said: “You can take the girl out of Jamaica, but you can’t take the Jamaica out of the girl.”

Guyanese American Dr. Doobay, who grew up in Jamaica, Queens, said she “truly believes there’s a divine spark of God in every human being.

“While New York has good health care, we have too much racism,” added the emergency medicine resident at NYU / Bellvue and founder and organizer of NYC Coalition to Dismantle Racism in the Health System.

“I will not stop until black and brown people have equality,” she continued to thunderous applause.

Grenadian Noreen Peters, a registered nurse and 1199 SEIU United Health Care Workers East at Brookdale Hospital Medical Center in Brooklyn, said she has been working as a pediatric nurse for 28 years.

“It’s an honor and a pleasure to be here,” she said. “As I continue in my life journey, I hope I’ll make a difference for others.”

Danica Dorlette, a Brooklyn-born registered professional nurse, of Haitian and Cuban parentage, who works at New York Presbyterian Hospital at Weill Cornell Medical Center – said she was “truly honored to be here with people who inspired me.

“I want to thank my parents who remind me every day about nursing,” she said.

Xavier Strings, comprising the high-energy sister violinists Janelle Xavier and Janine Xavier-Cross, thrilled patrons with classical, folklore, soca and calypso renditions, stringing out, among others, The Mighty Sparrow’s “Jean and Dinah;” Kitchener’s “Sugar Bum Bum;” and Calypso Rose’s “Fire, Fire” and “Going Down San Fernando.”

Patrons were also enchanted when Kittitian-born, Laurelton, Queens-resident Aieleen Joseph, 84, using a cane for walking, sought to upstage the sisters, as she danced to the hypnotic rhythms.

“She does this all the time,” said Joseph’s daughter, Brooklyn-born Dr. Vilma Joseph, an honoree and associate clinical professor of Anesthesiology at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, alluding to her mother’s love of dancing.

The gala affair was sponsored by New York State Nurses Association; One Brooklyn Health System – Brookdale, Interfaith and Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Centers; NYC Health + Hospitals – Kings County and Coney Island; and CABS Home Care.

For the first time, the New York Yankees organization is honoring a Nurse Hero. Fans are asked to vote on 10 nominees, and the winner — who gets VIP seats to the game — will be announced during the June 20 game against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium.
For the first time, the New York Yankees organization is honoring a Nurse Hero.

Fans are asked to vote on 10 nominees, and the winner — who gets VIP seats to the game — will be announced during the June 20 game against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium.

Voting is open through June 8 at nurse.org. The winner will be announced June 10.

The recognition is an honor in itself for one nurse nominee. Jan Kaminsky, a “born-and-raised” Yankee fan, saluted her fellow nominees’ accomplishments.

“Everybody’s doing good work,” the Maplewood, New Jersey, resident said. “It’s nice to be celebrated.”

‘Welcoming and affirming’

Kaminsky, a professor of nursing at City University of New York, is director of education at Rainbow Health Consulting, which offers courses for medical professionals on treating patients who are part of the LGTBQ community.

She realized how much medical professionals didn’t know about LGBTQ health challenges during a presentation at a medical conference. Kaminsky was there to discuss treating transgender children in a clinical setting, but she realized how much these highly trained health professionals didn’t know about this particular population. “We really got stuck on terminology,” she said.
Medical professionals need to understand the health disparities that LGBTQ people face, Kaminsky said. “Everything from access (to) finding providers who are welcoming and affirming,” she said. “Getting poor diagnoses or late diagnoses lead to poorer outcomes for patients.”

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For example, the Centers for Disease Control recently reported that for transgender high school students, 34.6% of students had attempted suicide in the past 12 months.

Kaminsky, who holds a doctorate in nursing, is now working on forming the National LGBTQ+ Nurses Association.

She admits that it would be great to win the VIP tickets and treatment, but said she looks forward to a fun day at the Bronx stadium with her family.

First aid in Haiti

Jacqueline Cassagnol laughs when asked if she’s a Yankee fan.

“Most of my friends are Yankee fans,” she said diplomatically. Even though Cassagnol admits she’s not a big sports fan in general, she finds the Yankees honor “pretty cool” and is excited for an inside look at the stadium before the June 20 game.
“The most important thing is to increase awareness of WCFR and its mission,” said Cassagnol, referring to the nonprofit she founded, Worldwide Community First Responder Inc., a Spring Valley-based organization that provides community-based first-response and first-aid training.

Cassagnol came up with the idea for WCFR during a trip with Rockland Haiti Relief after the 2010 earthquake shook the country. The Brooklyn-born Cassagnol spent many a school break in Haiti with her grandparents, so her ties to the Caribbean nation are strong.

Cassagnol said that during a first-aid training someone stood up and said, “If only we knew what you are saying right now fewer people would have died in the earthquake.”

“I broke down,” she said. “That’s what made me want to do this work.”

A member of the Haitian American Nurses Association, Cassagnol was a “safe community” award winner by Volunteer New York and a “nurse of the year” by March of Dimes New York. The U.S. Haitian Chamber of Commerce named her a Haitian American Young Citizen of the Year in March.
The registered nurse holds a master’s degree in nursing and is pursuing a PhD at Pace University in Pleasantville; her dissertation focuses on disaster preparedness.

Care amid chaos

Mary McCaffrey is an assistant nurse manager at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, part of Westchester Medical Center. A single act of heroism was highlighted in her nomination.

On Aug. 8, 2018, a man entered Westchester Medical Center and went to his wife’s room with a shotgun, killed her and then killed himself. McCaffrey kept young patients calm as chaos and alarms swirled around.

McCaffrey is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, with a specialty in family medicine.

Vote for 1

Other New York Yankee Nurse Hero nominees include:

• Grace Ogiehor, director of nursing at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens and founder of the 3,000-member Nigerian Nurses Association.
• Jennifer Pavone, manager of NYU Langone’s Heart Failure Advanced Care Center, Ventricular Assist Device Program and heart transplant program.
• Paul Coyne, a nurse practitioner at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. He works in adult-gerontology medicine with a subspecialty in palliative care. Coyle is also president of Inspiren and created the world’s first cognitive patient assistant, a wall-mounted device called “iN.”
• Marie Carmel Garcon, a nurse practitioner who provides primary care to the homebound population of Washington Heights and Inwood areas with Columbia Doctors’ Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Group. Garcon moved to New York from Haiti as a teenager who didn’t speak any English. She now holds two master’s degrees and a doctorate.
• Lisbeth Caiafa, a Uniondale, Long Island, school district nurse, recently aided a fellow passenger who had collapsed during an American Airlines flight. Her husband, who nominated her, said she was a big Yankees fan.
• Julia Andrechuk works for Christian Nursing Registry Home-Care on Long Island. A licensed practical nurse, Andrechuk first pursued a medical career because her brother survived a brain tumor when they were children. During her studies, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She is now cancer free.
• Catherine Bauer, director of Digestive Health, University of Virginia Medical Center, travels around the world teaching on infection control measures in the world of GI and advocating for patient safety.