Recognizing the Future: From 1966 to Education Today

Diane Kingery Gentsch is part of rich history at the College of Health Professions (CHP) and Pace University. She, along with her fellow graduates of the class of 1968, was a part of the first Nursing class to graduate from the Lienhard School of Nursing (LSN).

Diane’s college journey paved the way for almost 56 years of graduating classes from LSN. Her passion for nursing is one that current students and alumni alike can relate to.

From the age of 13, Diane knew that she wanted to be a nurse. “I became a candy striper volunteer at Oyster Bay Hospital on Long Island. I did that for two summers and I loved it. That really got me thinking about nursing as a career.”

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Prior to attending Pace, Diane worked at White Plains Hospital in the fall of 1965 where they offered a 3-year diploma program. After her first year was completed, the hospital decided to close the nursing program. Her class was given the option to either finish the next two years at the hospital, or transfer to Pace University. More than half of the 1968 LSN graduating class came from the White Plains program.

“We knew that most major professions require a collegiate degree and we felt it was the way of the future.” Diane and her fellow classmates were, as we know now, 100 percent correct. Nursing is now the largest health care profession in the country, with over 5.2 million registered nurses (RN) nationwide according to the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN).

Knowing you are the first of a program can be a range of emotions – you are part of the beginning of a new opportunity and your experiences will impact future generations of students. Diane and her classmates recognized this when given the option to transfer.

We wanted to be to be part of the first class of nurses at Pace and I’m proud that we took that monumental step. We were now part of the future of nursing.

—Diane Kingery Gentsch, LSN Class of 1968

Thousands of students have now graduated with their bachelor of science degree in nursing from LSN, and in 2010 the College of Health Professions (CHP) was created to provide more educational opportunities for health care. Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and Acute Geriatric Advanced Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) are all masters programs that LSN under CHP now offers, in addition to doctorate degrees; PhD in Nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

Post-graduate education allows nursing professionals to expand their areas of knowledge in new ways to prepare for the future. Dr. Jason Slyer has unique insight into these master and doctorate programs, as a two-time alum and dual program director.

“Pace’s FNP program prepared me for a challenging and dynamic career that has spanned the inpatient, outpatient, primary care, and specialty care arenas. Adding a DNP from Pace provided me with additional knowledge and skills to further enhance patient outcomes and quality of life for the underserved populations I care for. Now as a faculty member and the director of the FNP and DNP programs, I am educating the next generation of FNPs to continue to improve today’s every changing healthcare system.”

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Technology and research continue to grow, and the future of health care will evolve as well. CHP remains dedicated to offering and providing all students with the best education at all levels to ensure graduates are ready to enter and dominate the workforce. 2023 graduate of the PMHNP program and Outstanding Student of the Year awardee, Oz Hasis, recognized the CHP’s commitment to setting them up for success.

“The level of dedication and community that I’ve gotten at Pace University is not comparable to any other. Normally I have trust issues, but Professors like Dr. (Maryann) Martin made sure that trust was always there the entire program; always asking what we can do better, always asking if we can make something different. I can say that I can see where Pace University stands, with faculty members who support their students.” Oz has started his new role as a Psychiatric Nurse for New Horizon Counseling Center.

It's been over 50 years since Diane’s beginning at Pace, but the overarching message remains; education opens doors and opportunities to prepare you for the future. For Diane, it led to a rewarding RN career at hospitals and private practice offices along the east coast until her retirement, and for Oz, his next career goal is to be a preceptor for future Pace students.

Visit the Lienhard School of Nursing and the College of Health Professions to learn more about the many offered undergraduate and graduate programs.