Vanessa Riley, MSN, FNP-C ’19
Chief Information Officer, Infectious Disease Nurse Practitioner Society of America
Clinical rotations can build crucial connections for career opportunities and advancement. Fisher graduate Vanessa Riley explained that she found even more than a connection during her rotations. “I discovered a deep interest in transplant infectious diseases, and this became a launchpad for my career.”
She believes the strong clinical foundation that she received at Fisher also enhanced her professional confidence. “I was encouraged to think beyond graduation by pursuing leadership opportunities, remaining curious, and aligning my clinical experiences with my long-term goals.” Specifically, she described the challenging coursework and advanced experiences in a systems-based approach as crucial for thinking critically beyond the bedside.
“Fisher helped me see myself not only as a clinician, but as a visionary capable of leading innovation across health care and technology.” So, Riley agrees that the Wegmans School of Nursing empowers nurses as leaders for the future. “The nurse practitioner program goes beyond preparing you to pass boards; it prepares you to grow as a clinician, build confidence as a leader, and explore diverse pathways in health care.”
Rosemary Shanahan, PMHNP-BC '18
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Gavia LifeCare Center, LLC
Caring for a loved one through mental health struggles became the catalyst for Rosemary Shanahan’s transition in the nursing profession. For more than 20 years, she worked on the medical side of nursing before enrolling in Fisher’s first cohort of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program.
“I realized that through my years of medical nursing, I frequently found myself in the position of teaching, counseling, or just sitting with patients and families in their distress,” explained Shanahan. “These experiences inspired me to make the change from medical care to mental health care.”
Shanahan gained crucial experience through clinical rotations as part of Fisher’s graduate program. When Sherry Nau, Ed.D., LCSW shared her vision for a mental health clinic that provides care differently than traditional programs in Rochester, Shanahan felt strongly prepared to be the founding PMHNP of Gavia LifeCare Center in March 2021.
“My internship placements all turned into job opportunities in the first two years after graduation, and they equipped me to be the sole PMHNP and prescriber when first developing Gavia LifeCare Center.” The Center now serves more than 1,200 clients with a team of 33 therapists, two RNs, and five PMHNPs.
Now, Shanahan encourages other nurses to develop and advance their careers through Fisher’s graduate-level nursing programs: “The PMHNP program provided mentors to empower me to challenge myself to reach goals that I didn’t even know I had!”
Quarnisha White, RN, MS, FNP-C ’11, ’17
Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer
Quarnisha White is not ashamed to admit that she enjoys a great debate. She started in a legal studies program with her sights on practicing law until she witnessed a loved one’s struggle in the ICU while recovering from multiple gunshot wounds. She began to envision herself as a fierce advocate in the medical field rather than in the courtroom: “I saw nurses caring in a way with such compassion and empathy that my own career path changed.”
She switched her major to nursing and completed her undergraduate program at Fisher in 2011. “The faculty and staff of Fisher’s nursing programs are dedicated to helping you succeed,” explained White. “The programs set you up for success as a future nurse.” She became a nurse at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) and soon enrolled in Fisher’s graduate program for nursing. She became a board-certified nurse practitioner in 2017 and advanced in her career within URMC within the Division of Colorectal Surgery.
White’s path did not always seem so clear. As she reflected on her journey to nursing leadership, she recalled the challenges of being born into poverty, growing up in the foster care system, and becoming a mother at age 17. Equipped with lessons from her own experiences, she is now on a mission to create an environment where each patient is given the same access and opportunity to engage the health care system. “I strive toward a brighter future for our patients and community.”
In 2021, White became the first Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for URMC. Within this leadership role, she focuses on equitable patient engagement and community outreach for which one area of focus has been within the Black community on colorectal cancer and screening. Her experiences combined with her education have positioned her as the advocate she always envisioned. “Without the education that I received from Fisher, I would not be able to have the platform to promote change that I have today.”
White smiles when she sees Fisher students on the hospital floors. “My expectations are high when I see them, but that’s because Fisher made me that way.”