2022 Student Nurses Association board members featured from left to right: Taylor Hoffstedt, Vice President; Tabitha Franceschet, President; Christine Delma, Co-Secretary; Sophia St. Onge, Treasurer; and Rebecca Botteri, Co-Secretary

By Maureen Halley
Director, Marketing Communications


The officers of the Student Nursing Association self-identify as women with “big hearts and always willing to help others.” Tabitha Franceschet, a senior and President of the association feels strongly about what it means to be part of a community. “As nurses, we have chosen a field focused on service – it’s in our nature”, Tabitha shared. “We are fortunate to be part of a warm and supportive atmosphere here at Anna Maria – and it just makes you want to give back all the more.”

An annual tradition since 2010, the Anna Maria College Student Nurse Association along with nursing faculty come together to collect comfort items for those who are less fortunate within greater Worcester. This year, the nursing students collected socks for Veteran’s Inc. during Homecoming Weekend, and toiletries for Abby’s House, an organization that works to provide shelter and affordable housing, as well as advocacy and support services to homeless, battered, and low-income women.

“It’s so important to band together and support others,” Tabitha continued. “The mission of Anna Maria really resonates with me and my classmates; giving back is the norm rather than the exception and this effort allows us to lead by example.”

Dr. Karin Ciance, DNP, RN and Assistant Professor of Nursing spoke about the importance of the three-C’s: caring, comfort, and compassion. “Giving a donation to the Abby’s house in Worcester has been a long-standing tradition since 2010. As one of the faculty advisors along with Marie Remillard and Danielle Shaver we have tried to instill in the nursing students a sense of community and giving back and by showing a small act of kindness can go a long way”, Dr. Ciance shared. “We have increased our donations to 60 bags this year, as the new women’s shelter, can house up to 60 women. Sometimes this is the only Christmas gift they receive on Christmas morning.”

In addition to needed toiletries delivered to Abby’s House on December 15, 2021, each bag contained a personal holiday message signed by the College’s nursing students.