Deborah Bello, Amber Verbic, and Mary Wince attended the 2024 American College Health Association conference in Atlanta from May 28 to June 1. The theme was Building Momentum for a Healthy Community which aligns with Health Service's mission to equip students with the tools needed to navigate the healthcare system and make life-long healthy choices. The meeting was a huge success, with 2,008 participants in attendance.
Wince was the recipient of the American College Health Foundation Kathy Mac Nurse Scholar Travel Funding Award to attend the conference. This funding opportunity was created by Kathy's family to honor her role with ACHA, NYSCHA, and 38 years in Women's Health at Syracuse University Student Health Service. Mary was selected for demonstrating a strong interest in improving the well-being of the students of SMCM.
Mary received a special note from Kathy's family:
My name is Gary MacLachlan, husband of Kathleen MacLachlan for whom the Kathy Mac endowment was created. First off, I’d like to congratulate you on being the 2024 awardee from the endowment that Kathy’s family set up after her passing in December 2018. You should know that, within the family, all three of our children (a Doctor, a Special Ed teacher, and a Social Worker) plus myself review, annually, all the submittals and make a recommendation to the ACHF selection committee. Your application received UNANIMOUS support, independently, from all four of us. Following that, the Committee did so, as well. This will be the first year where we will be unable to be present to honor both your selection as well as the career and legacy of our Kathy Mac. Please enjoy, and soak in, the conference and carry back to your St. Mary’s College all the wisdom and experiences I am sure this will provide you. That’s the overarching goal of this endowment. Once again, CONGRATULATIONS on behalf of the MacLachlan family. Carry the torch!
