2022 EVENTS
On Nov. 3 Mr. Stephen Corman, sponsor of the Schwartz Center‘s Corman IMPACT Honors Award and a recently appointed Director Emeritus of the Flynn Foundation, hosted three former Flynn Fellows at the 2022 Schwartz Center Compassionate Healthcare Dinner in Boston. They included (from left to right opposite Mr. Corman) Sarah Woods, a 2016 Flynn Fellow at Dana Farber from Boston College who is currently an Oncology Nurse at Mass General; Karen Aldana, a 2022 Flynn Fellow at Boston Children’s Hospital from Boston College who is an aspiring Pediatric Oncology Nurse; and Katelyn McGaughey, a 2016 Flynn Fellows at Boston Children’s Hospital from Boston College who is currently a Stem Cell Transplant Nurse Practitioner at Boston Children’s.
The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare is a national organization whose mission is to put compassion at the heart of healthcare through programs, education and advocacy. The Flynn Foundation is proud to be a supportive partners of the Schwartz Center based on the alignment of our missions and shared commitment to compassionate care as a core value in healthcare.
2021 EVENTS
To raise awareness and hopefully to attract some charitable donations to help sustain this nonprofit’s unique Oncology Nursing Fellowship Program, founder Fred Flynn is hitting the road…literally!
To personally welcome this summer’s Flynn Fellows at Greenwich Hospital and Stamford Hospital, on Friday, June 25 Fred is embarking on a 15 mile walk from his home in Stamford first to Greenwich Hospital and then on to Stamford Hospital and home. The nursing schools represented by the 5 Flynn Fellows (3 at Greenwich Hospital and 2 at Stamford Hospital) include Sacred Heart University, Fairfield University, Boston College, Villanova University and Catholic University.
Since the Fellowship program’s inception in 2014, these two original program partners have hosted a combined 41 Flynn Fellows; of their 32 Flynn Fellows in the workforce so far, 18 are already working as Oncology Nurses!
Fred’s goal is to raise $10,000 to help cover the costs of 2 Fellowship positions in 2021 through individual donations on a “$-per mile walked” basis.
RECAP: Fred successfully completed an actual 17 mile “walkathon” on June 25, including personally meeting and welcoming our 2021 Flynn Fellows at both Greenwich Hospital and Stamford Hospital. In doing so, thanks to some generous donors, he raised over $8,000 to help support the costs of this summer’s Fellowship Program. A big Thank You to all those who supported this special event!
2020 EVENTS
Giving Tuesday refers to the Tuesday after U.S. Thanksgiving in the United States. This national movement is the non-profit world's response to Black Friday, and represents an international day of charitable giving at the beginning of the Christmas and holiday season.
If you haven't already donated, please consider us this Giving Tuesday! All funds raised will go directly to the support of our 2021 internship programs.
We are a registered 501(c)(3) organization. Gifts are accepted via PayPal or check and are tax deductible. The full value of every donation goes directly to the support of the 2021 internship programs.
$90,000 raised in 6th annual Golf Marathon event!
Our 6th annual Golf Marathon, which was organized by my dear friend Michael O’Rourke, was a great success! As a team, my son Matt and I each played 154 holes of golf in just under 12 hours in a friendly father/son "match” at beautiful Innis Arden Golf Club in Greenwich, CT. More importantly, through the generosity of a record number of friends and neighbors including the valuable support of many people directly involved in this program, we achieved our Goal of raising $90,000 to help support our unique Oncology Nursing Fellowship Program!
Thank you to all who supported this important fundraising event!
Fred Flynn
2019 EVENTS
On November 21, 2019 thanks to the generosity of my good friend Stephen Corman, I attended this event along with two recent Flynn Fellows, Laura Halprin, a Flynn Fellow this summer at CHOP from the University of Michigan and Colleen O’Connor, a Flynn Fellow at Boston Children’s Hospital from Simmons College. The program featured the 6 finalists for the prestigious National Caregiver of the Year Award presented annually by the Schwartz Center. Prior to the formal dinner event we attended a private session featuring the 6 finalists who shared their remarkable Compassionate Care experiences and accomplishments. This year’s winner was Dr. Sophia Maurasse (shown below), who specializes in child psychiatry, from McClean Hospital in Belmont, MA.
On October 25th, 2019 several recent Flynn Fellows attended a special 1-day “Spirituality & Patient Care Provider” conference at Mass General Hospital (“MGH”). Their attendance was sponsored by the Susan D. Flynn Oncology Nursing Development Program in partnership with Mass General as part of a continuing education program for Flynn Fellows.
The Conference covered several topics, including the importance of providing spiritual care and addressing the emotional needs of patients’ and their nursing caregivers, moral distress, ethical questions, and compassion fatigue.
The attendees included:
- Katherine Bretta (University of Connecticut)
- Brenna Chichester (University of St. Joseph)
- Nicole Langlais (Sacred Heart University)
- Colleen O’Connor (Simmons College)
- Emily Smith (Quinnipiac University)
- Faith Spano (Molloy College)
[From left to right]: Emily Smith, Brenna Chichester, Faith Spano, Carol Ghiloni—Mass General, Katherine Bretta, Colleen O’Connor, Nicole Langlais
On October 20-22, 2019 the four initial recipients of the new Jonas Flynn Scholars program attended the prestigious 3-day Jonas Annual Leadership Conference in Washington, DC. The conference, which was attended by over 300 Jonas Scholars nationally, focused on leadership skills and professional development. The Jonas Flynn Scholars, who earlier this year were each competitively awarded two year, annual $15,000 scholarships to help fund their pursuit of Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees, included:
- Julie Earls, BSN, RN from the Fairfield University School of Nursing and Health Studies was selected for her research on oncology nurse residency programs and internships. Ms. Earls was a Flynn Fellow in 2014 at Stamford Hospital.
- Emily Kopas, BSN, RN, OCN, also from the Fairfield University School of Nursing and Health Studies, was selected for her work focusing on caring and contributing to the wellbeing of patients and families affected by a cancer diagnosis. Ms. Kopas was a Flynn Fellow at Greenwich Hospital in 2015.
- Kaitlin Phelan, BSN, RN from the University of San Diego Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, was chosen for her research on the pivotal role nursing plays in improving outcomes for patients with cancer-related fatigue. Ms. Phelan was a Flynn Fellow at Dana Farber in 2015.
- Molly Smith BSN, RN, OCN, from the Columbia University School of Nursing, was selected for her current work as an Oncology Research Nurse and her previous valuable contributions as a preceptor and mentor for several Flynn Fellows at New York Presbyterian where she was an Oncology Nurse.
During the event these four Jonas Flynn Scholars were publicly recognized as the initial recipients of the Jonas Flynn Scholarship award.
Over $80,000 raised in 5th annual Golf Marathon event!
Our 5th annual Golf Marathon, which was organized by my dear friend Michael O’Rourke, was a great success! As a team, my son Matt and I each played 160 holes of golf in just under 12 hours in a spirited father/son "match” at beautiful Innis Arden Golf Club in Greenwich, CT. More importantly, through the generosity of a record number of friends and neighbors and also many people directly involved in this program, we raised OVER $80,000 to help support our unique Oncology Nursing Fellowship Program!
Thank you to all who supported this important fundraising event!
Fred Flynn
To raise money to help sustain the unique and highly impactful Oncology Nursing Fellowship Program in my wife Susan’s loving memory, I am planning to participate in a Golf Marathon on Monday, September 30th, 2019 at Innis Arden Golf Club from sun-up to sun-down where I will attempt to play 150 holes of golf. Please consider sponsoring me by pledging $1, $2, $5, or $10 per hole that I play (or simply specify a total donation amount). All donations received, which are tax-deductible, will go directly to support the cost of my wonderful Flynn Fellows (i.e. summer Oncology Nursing Interns), who are paid an average stipend of $5,000 each. The program’s aim is to attract, inspire and help professionally develop the next generation of Oncology Nurses and, in doing so, improve the future quality of nursing care for cancer patients and their families. The Fellows are competitively selected by various host hospitals from applicants from several leading undergraduate nursing schools.
My Goal this year is to raise $80,000 through this special event, which—if achieved--will cover the cost of 16 of the 35 Intern positions planned in 2020. If you are interested in supporting this fundraising initiative, please let me know via email (at fflynn0924@aol.com) ideally by Sept. 23 the amount per hole (or total $ amount) you are willing to Pledge. See the DONATE SECTION for additional information on how to make an online donation, or make checks payable to Susan Flynn Oncology Nursing Development Program, Inc. and can be mailed to 123 Harbor Drive, Unit 302, Stamford CT 06902 (Note new address). Also, if you know of any other prospective donors who may be interested in supporting this unique Fellowship program, please feel free to forward this information to them. The results of this event will be confirmed via an acknowledgement letter to all contributors from the foundation referred to below.
Since this program began in 2014, 170 aspiring Oncology Nurses have completed this Fellowship program in the past six year. Of the 137 program participants who have graduated from nursing school and entered the workforce, nearly 100 have already started their Oncology Nursing careers!
Thank you for your consideration and possible support!
Fred Flynn, Founder/Sponsor of Susan D. Flynn Oncology Nursing Development Program, Inc. (a 501(c)3 tax-exempt Foundation)
2018 EVENTS
On October 26th, 2018 several aspiring Oncology nurses - including 5 recent Flynn Fellows - attended a special 1-day “Spirituality & Patient Care: Hope and Healing” conference at Mass General Hospital (“MGH”). Their attendance was sponsored by the Susan D. Flynn Oncology Nursing Development Program as part of a continuing education program for its Flynn Fellows and select other aspiring Oncology nurses.
The Conference covered several topics, including the importance of providing spiritual care and addressing the emotional needs of patients’ and their nursing caregivers, moral distress, ethical questions, and compassion fatigue.
The attendees included Kaitlin Byrne (Molloy College), Stephanie Bogazis (U. of St. Joseph), Julianne Hulin (Fairfield U.), Amy Lynch (UCONN), Cecilia Mercadente (St. Anselm College), Kate Mignosa (Boston College), and Holly Vynar (U. of St. Joseph).
Reflections on The Conference:
- Reflection: Spirituality and Patient Care Conference - by: Amy Lynch
- Summary/Reflection of MGH Spirituality Conference - by: Kaitlin Byrne
- Spirituality & Patient Care - Reflections for the CSON Community - by: Kate Mignosa
[From the left]: Cecilia Mercadente, Amy Lynch, Sarah Woods, Holly Vynar, Stephanie Bogazis, Kaitlin Byrne, Kate Mignosa, and Julianne Hulin
$75,000 RAISED IN 2018 GOLF MARATHON EVENT!
Our 4th annual Golf Marathon fundraiser, which was organized by my dear friend Michael O'Rourke, was another tremendous success! As a team, my son Matt and I set out to play 150 holes of golf in this special event. However, after teeing off at 7am on a beautiful Fall day, a spirited "father/son" competition ensued...we ultimately agreed to call it a draw 11 hours later, after we each had played a record 162 holes! More importantly, through the generosity of many of our friends and neighbors, we achieved our goal of raising $75,000 to help support this unique Oncology Nursing Fellowship Program!
Thank You to all who supported this fundraising event.
Fred Flynn
fflynn0924@aol.com
2017 EVENTS
On November 16th, thanks to the generosity of my good friend Stephen Corman, I attended this event with a group from Greenwich Hospital. Sarah Woods (pictured far left), a former Flynn Fellow at Dana Farber, who is now an Oncology nurse at Mass General, attended with us. The program featured the 6 finalists for the prestigious National Caregiver of the Year Award presented annually by the Schwartz Center. One of the finalists was Jonathan B. Bartels, RN, BSN (pictured far right), an emergency room nurse and Palliative Care liaison at the University of Virginia Medical Center.
Jonathan is nationally recognized for creating The Pause, an innovative and extremely compassionate “intervention” which involves a momentary private “ceremony” after a patient dies... its a reflective pause, a pause of respect and resilience. Jonathan’s Pause offers time to honor the human life that was lost, recognize the loss the family experienced, and acknowledge the medical team for their work and valiant effort.
Click here for an article written about The Pause by Jonathan B. Bartels.
[From the left]: Sarah Woods, Oncology nurse at Mass General (former Flynn Fellow); Fred Flynn; Elisabeth Costigan, Oncology nurse at Mass General & Mother of Kayla Kostigan (former Flynn Fellow & Oncology nurse at Mass General); and Jonathan B. Bartels, RN, BSN
On October 27th, two recent Flynn Fellows, Emily Kopas and Jaclyn DiYeso, attended a special 1-day “Nursing & Spirituality” Conference at Mass General Hospital (“MGH”). Their attendance was sponsored by the Susan D. Flynn Oncology Nursing Development Program as part of a continuing education program for its Flynn Fellows.
The Conference covered several topics, including the importance of providing spiritual care and addressing the emotional needs of patients’ and their nursing caregivers. Techniques to promote resilience and self care to help nurses combat “compassion fatigue” (aka “burnout”) were discussed by Dr. Donna White, a leading authority on the subject.
Ms. Kopas, a 2016 Flynn Fellow at Greenwich Hospital from Fairfield University, is now an Oncology nurse at Greenwich Hospital. Ms. DiYeso, currently a senior at Fairfield University, was a Flynn Fellow this summer at Greenwich Hospital and is an aspiring Pediatric Oncology nurse.
[From the left]: Emily Kopas, Mandi Coakley of Mass General, Jaclyn DiYeso, and Carol Ghiloni of Mass General
Nursing & Spirituality Conference Agenda
OVER $65,000 RAISED IN THE 2017 GOLF MARATHON EVENT!
Our 3rd annual Golf Marathon fundraiser, which was organized by my dear friend Michael O'Rourke, was another tremendous success! As a team, my son Matt and I set out to play at least 100 holes of golf in this special event. However, after teeing off at 7am on a beautiful sunny day, a spirited “father/son” competition ensued...we ultimately agreed to call it a draw almost 12 hours later, after we each had played a record 154 holes! More importantly, through the generosity of many of our friends and neighbors, we raised over $65,000 to help support this unique Oncology Nursing Fellowship Program!
Thank You to all who supported this fundraising event.
Fred Flynn
fflynn0924@aol.com
