Decker College celebrates retiring faculty and staff

Ten faculty and staff members from Binghamton University’s Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences retired between 2020 and 2021. Their service totals more than 200 years, with individuals’ time at the University ranging from 8 to 53 years.

Decker Dean Mario Ortiz thanked the faculty and staff for their hard work and dedication, as well as their commitment to student success.

“All of us at Decker College, including our students, will miss these retiring employees. It has been my honor to work with each and every one of them,” he said. “We all wish them the best in retirement.”

These nine employees retired from Decker’s Division of Nursing:

• Michelle Ames was a clinical instructor from 2012 to 2020.
• Kathleen Anderson, DNP ’12, came to Decker in 2008 as a clinical instructor and retired in 2021 as a clinical associate professor.
• Jill Gilbert started as a clinical lecturer in 2011 and retired in 2021 as a clinical assistant professor.
• Brenda Holcomb joined Decker in 1988 as a keyboard specialist. In 2020 she retired as an administrative assistant.
• Judy Kitchin began as a part-time employee in 2006 before becoming a full-time clinical instructor in 2007. She retired in 2020 as a clinical lecturer, but continued teaching part-time through spring 2021.
• Fran Munroe ’81, MS ’90, joined Decker in 1998 and worked in varying roles before she left in 2008. She returned in 2016 as a clinical associate professor before retiring in 2020.
• Jennie Orton began at Decker in 2001, serving as assistant to the undergraduate nursing program director, assistant to the graduate nursing program director and academic advisor before retiring in 2021 as senior academic advisor.
• Vickie Slavetskas ’77, MS ’00, was a clinical assistant professor from 2000 to 2020.
• Fran Srnka-Debnar ’86, MS ’90, PhD ’15, began in an adjunct capacity in 1998 before joining the faculty in 1999 as a clinical instructor. She served as director of student services and director of the RN to BS program before retiring in 2021 as a clinical associate professor.

Gary Truce is the 10th retiree. He joined Binghamton University in 1968 as a coach for the men’s cross country and track teams, adding women’s track in 1976 and women’s cross country in 1977. In 2021, he retired after 53 years as a professor in Decker’s Division of Health and Wellness Studies. (Read an article about Truce from the Binghamton University magazine.)

A closer look

BingUNews is taking a closer look at staff member Jennie Orton, with 20 years of service, and faculty member Fran Srnka-Debnar, with 23 years of service, to find out about their time at Decker, the changes they’ve seen and their plans for retirement.

What is the most significant change you witnessed throughout your years at Decker?

Orton: The most significant changes I experienced were taking part in the college’s transition to the new Health Sciences Campus in Johnson City; working with increased numbers of students as enrollments expanded in undergraduate and graduate programs; working under several changes in college and University leadership; and most recently, seeing the addition of new options of study outside of nursing coming to fruition. I also worked for eight different supervisors over the course of 20 years.

Srnka-Debnar: The implementation of increasing amounts of technology to teach the students has made a great difference in how students learn.

Where do you think Decker’s biggest challenges lie ahead?

Orton: Decker’s biggest challenges will be to continue to meet the demands of an ever-growing and diversifying body of students while ensuring student satisfaction remains its number-one priority. The challenges presented by the pandemic have created a unique set of circumstances that require consistent, creative and engaging support to encourage students to embrace their educational experience while providing them with every opportunity to be successful. Making sure that the voices of students, staff and faculty are heard and are contributing factors to the college’s ongoing mission and function will also be challenging as it continues to grow, and should be mindfully nurtured to ensure that Decker remains at the fore of nursing and health education with a global perspective.

Srnka-Debnar: The biggest challenge will be keeping up with all the changes in healthcare — it’s constantly changing and developing. The key is to help the students understand that the patient is at the center of everything and to not let all of the technology overshadow the personal connection.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career?

Orton: Working with students was the most rewarding aspect of my career. Helping people has always given me a sense of satisfaction and happiness.

Srnka-Debnar: The most rewarding aspect of my entire career in nursing was working with a wonderful team to develop and start the open-heart program at United Health Services. It was a fantastic experience. The most rewarding aspect of my career at the University has been my contact with students as both a faculty member and an advisor. That was absolutely my favorite part of my job. I loved mentoring students and still have contact with many of them. I love to work with people to help them to be successful.

What impresses you most about Decker students?

Orton: Decker students are extremely passionate about their intended profession and so incredibly bright and dedicated to their studies and to serving their future patients. I especially love that so many of the RN and advanced-degree nursing graduates decide to remain in the area to serve our community’s health needs.

Srnka-Debnar: I’m so impressed by our students’ commitment to helping others as well as their desire to be successful. The way they respond to a challenge. The floods that we had in the area in 2011 were an excellent example of how willing they are to help others: Many students volunteered in the temporary “hospital” that we had on campus, as well as helped entertain the children and families who were housed in the University’s Events Center. In addition, the changes that we have had to implement in response to COVID were difficult for students, and yet, they did well.

What is your favorite Decker memory?

Orton: The kindness and caring of colleagues that was shown to me after I survived a severe car accident on Columbus Day 2002. I had sustained life-threatening injuries after losing control of my car and hitting a tree while driving to work. I remember being able to return after six weeks, in time for the annual end-of-semester luncheon. And, when I walked into the room (still on crutches), the room erupted in applause and people rose to their feet to greet me. That meant so much to me and is something I will never forget.

Srnka-Debnar: Graduation; I love graduation. The students shine and are so excited to begin a new part of their lives.

What will you miss most?

Orton: The thing I will and do miss the most is seeing my colleagues, who are good friends, on a daily basis. But, it gives us a great excuse to make plans to have dinner or drinks — now a regular part of my new, relaxed routine.

Srnka-Debnar: The students and the wonderful Decker faculty are what I will miss the most. They are a great group!

What are your plans now that you’re retired?

Orton: I plan to travel more and, of course, stay healthy, be happy and enjoy my life to the fullest. I’m loving retirement!

Srnka-Debnar: I haven’t quite decided. I’m looking forward to spending more time with my husband and I’ll continue with some community involvement that I already do. I plan to travel and read more. I’d also love to write a book about nursing and some of the changes I’ve personally witnessed. My specialty was critical care, primarily open-heart surgery and neurotrauma. I’ve been lucky enough in my past to work with some pioneers in cardiology and critical care, and I treasure that time. The history of nursing is really fascinating and I’d like to research that area. I have really loved my experience at Binghamton and am so grateful that I had the opportunity to work with so many fantastic individuals!