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Honoring Black History Month 2022


February marks the honoring of Black History Month 2022. At Sumner College, historically and right now, we celebrate Black medical scholars and healthcare workers, by highlighting notable and innovative Black nurses who shattered barriers in the nursing industry.

Mary Eliza Mahoney

Mary Eliza Mahoney was the first professionally trained African American registered nurse in the United States. She worked in a hospital for 15 years across different jobs, starting as a cook, then continued working her way up the chain as a janitor, an unofficial nurse’s aide, and finally, a registered nurse. Out of the 40 students who started in her nursing program, she was one of only three nurses to make it through the New England Hospital graduate nursing program and the only African American awarded a degree.

In 1908, Mahoney co-founded the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses (NACGN). This association was vital because, at the time, Black nurses were not allowed to join the American Nurses Association (ANA). The NACGN fought racial discrimination in the nursing profession and uplifted Black nurses, and in 1951, the association merged with the ANA. In honor of her legacy and contributions, the ANA created the Mary Mahoney Award, one of the most prestigious awards a nurse can receive. 

Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman’s role in American history as an abolitionist guided slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. But she was also a nurse, scout, and spy for the Union, well-known for using mainly natural and herbal remedies to treat her patients. In 1862, Tubman went to a Union camp in South Carolina where she nursed liberated Black soldiers who were formerly enslaved. Then in 1865, Harriet was appointed matron of the Colored Hospital at Fort Monroe, Virginia, where she worked tirelessly trying to heal the sick. An activist and trailblazer all her life, Tubman lived into her nineties fighting for true equality.

Sojourner Truth

Sojourner Truth was a profound abolitionist who escaped slavery and as an influential women’s rights activist, but she also holds an important role as a health care advocate. In 1864, as a free woman, Truth worked at the National Freedman’s Relief Association in Washington D.C., where she was invited to meet President Abraham Lincoln. In her role, she lobbied for the needs of African Americans and led efforts to improve the quality of care. Truth also spoke before Congress advocating for the importance of nursing education and professional training for patient care, which at the time didn’t exist.

Estelle Massey Osborne

Estelle Massey Osborne shattered barriers with her professional accomplishments. The first Black nurse in the United States to earn a Master’s degree, as well as the first Black instructor at New York University in 1945, Osborne was also elected President of the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses (NACGN). In 1946, she received the Mary Mahoney Award for her efforts to broaden opportunities for Black nurses to move into the mainstream of professional nursing. She forged an essential relationship with the American Nurses Association before the program merged with the NACGN in 1951, and she continued her service in organizations and movements in which she could make a lasting difference.

Mabel Keaton Staupers 

Mabel Keaton Staupers was a nursing pioneer who fought racial segregation and discrimination in healthcare. She immigrated to the United States from Barbados in 1903 and became an RN after graduating from the Freedmen’s Hospital School of Nursing (now Howard University, itself an important historically Black university). Staupers helped establish the Booker T. Washington Sanitarium, credited as the first hospital in Harlem to treat Black Americans with tuberculosis. She is also known for her campaign efforts and large protest to end racial discrimination in the U.S. Army and in the American Nurses Association (ANA). In 1951, the NAACP honored her with the Spingarn Medal, the organization’s highest honor.

Hazel W. Johnson-Brown

A pioneering military nurse, Hazel W. Johnson-Brown triumphed in the face of adversity as the first Black woman to become a U.S. Army general and the first Black chief of the Army Nurse Corps. After a local hospital told her a Black student would never be accepted into their nursing program, she persevered and earned her nursing diploma in 1950 from the Harlem Hospital School of Nursing. She enlisted in the army traveled the world in service to her country, serving in  Japan and training surgical nurses on their way to Vietnam. In the ’70s, she became the director of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing. It was in 1979 that Gen. Johnson-Brown made history when she was promoted to brigadier general and simultaneously to command 7,000 nurses in the Army Nurse Corps.

Upcoming Info Sessions

On the fence or have questions about starting your education at Sumner College? Check out our upcoming BSN Info Sessions! Available for on-campus in Portland

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All About TEAS

If you're considering enrolling at Sumner College (or other nursing schools!) you will be required to take the TEAS Exam. This stands for Test of

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Nursing School Study Tips

Nursing school is known to be extremely difficult, but there are ways to make it easier on yourself! NursingWorld.org suggests a few different things to

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$5,000 Education Award Available!

Exciting news! DiversityNursing.com is offering a $5,000 education award, with easy entry and no essays, why not enter for a chance to win $5,000 to

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New Member Bend Chamber of Commerce

Sumner College is proud to share we are new members of the Bend Area Chamber of Commerce. Coming soon our official ribbon cutting and social

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Spirit Week!

Happy Spirit Week! Stop by the Lobby or Front Desk throughout the week to say hi and show some school spirit! Monday: Meal Prep and

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SUMNER COLLEGE STUDENT OF THE MONTH: JULY 2024

Congratulations Kinsey, for being the July 2024 Student of the Month at Sumner! Kinsey is pursuing her BSN degree and has wanted to be a

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Virtual Tour: SIM Lab 202

Welcome to Sumner College! Before you head in to our Portland Campus take a virtual tour where you can see our Simulation Lab, Hospital Simulator,

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SUMNER COLLEGE STUDENT OF THE MONTH: JUNE 2024

Congratulations to LPN student, Logan, for June 2024! Logan is able to pursue his degree thanks to his great support system, and school life balance,

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New Campus Alert!

We are extremely excited to announce the opening of our new additional campus location in Bend, Oregon! Conveniently located just around the corner from Bend's

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The Heart of Healthcare

Nursing can be described as both an art and science; a heart and a mind. At its heart, lies a fundamental respect for human dignity

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Labor Day Weekend

Happy Labor Day! We will be closed Monday to enjoy a long weekend!

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Upcoming Class Start Dates

Join us on one of our upcoming start dates for RN's looking to achieve a BSN completion!

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What is an RN-BSN Program?

RN to BSN Degree- What is it? The RN-BSN degree is designed for nurses that earned their Registered Nurse licensure and would like to continue

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There’s Still Time!

There's still time to enroll for the September 3 class start date! All three programs are starting fresh this fall; BSN, RN to BSN, and

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Tips for Great Admission Essays

Writing an admission essay may feel like a daunting task to accomplish, much less three, as we require here at Sumner. While they are short

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Is Nursing for Me?

Have you ever wondered whether nursing is the right profession for you? Take our personality exam to see if you have the characteristics of a

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Join the Nursing Workforce

When deciding what career to go into, one often will research the career to find out information like: average income, durability in the economy, and

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Celebrating 50 years!! Everyday NW’s Ally Osborne visits with Joanna Russell

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Sumner College in Northeast Portland is celebrating 50 years of helping people level up and reach for their career goals in

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Why choose to complete a BSN?

Sumner College is proud to offer multiple different nursing programs, suitable for all stages of life. However, completing the Bachelors of Science in Nursing is

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Our Application Process

As you find yourself getting ready to make the jump for the new term here at Sumner College, you may have questions about our application

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BSN Info Sessions – August

This month's BSN group information meetings are scheduled for August 1, 6, 8, 15 at 12p.m on campus, 8338 NE Alderwood Road, Portland, OR 97220

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BSN Info Sessions – July

In preparation for the September classes, please plan to attend either of these informative hour long presentations to learn more about the program, the requirements

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Meet The RN Advocating For Disabled Candidates

Applying for a new job can be overwhelming and stressful. For candidates with disabilities, the hiring process can be a disheartening experience. According to the CDC,

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NCLEX Study Strategies

Expert Test-Taking Strategies One of the first things you should do when you begin preparing for the NCLEX is to determine your learning style to

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Sumner College: an excellent choice for those wishing to pursue a career in the health care field

In a message from our College President, Joanna S. Russell, she touches on how one of the strengths Sumner has is student engagement; focussing on

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Nursing Specialty Quiz

Unsure of what nursing specialty suits you best? Take this quiz to see what options align with you best! Content shared from J&J Nursing 

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Happy 4th of July! Office is closed

Sumner college is celebrating our nation's independence! Our offices will be closed Thursday 7/4 and Friday 7/5.

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BSN Info Sessions – Register for July

We've opened up a few more seats to the BSN Info Sessions in July. In preparation for the September classes, please plan to attend this

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Nursing School Study Tips

Our Career Services Department has a number of great resources for students, including study tips for nursing school. Visit Career Services Study Tips   

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