Therese A. Boyd (Gorzynski), EdD

I started at FIU when it had just come into existence, and it was offering an opportunity for RNs to get their bachelor's degree in nursing. Since it was close by and was a new university, I thought it would be good to go there, and it was. When I went to get my master's degree in nursing, I was in the initial graduating class of their master's degree program. I was able to see the ground floor of their Graduate Program, which is now highly accredited. I was also there when that initial accrediting came through, and I was one of the students they interviewed in their accreditation process. I was also a graduate assistant to Dr. Luz Porter, who was the head of the Graduate Department at that time. I was lucky to be involved with Dr. Porter because she listened to me quite a bit. I was the director of FIU Student Health Services, but the job was dissolved. Dr. Strickland then offered me a position as a faculty member in the College of Nursing, and I stayed there until my retirement. I taught undergraduate and graduate students because I taught in the Foreign Medical Graduate Program. I was teaching physicians to become nurses and nurse practitioners, which was exciting. I was also one of the founding members of the Nursing Alumni Association, and I was the initial treasurer. My life has been very much intertwined with the College of Nursing for a long time.