Carly Tiches's desire to help and care for others began when she started coaching children in gymnastics. She realized that she enjoyed giving first aid and caring for injuries. Now she is turning that passion into a career.

As a young nursing student on hospital duty, May Futrell was struck by the neglect of elderly patients, which ultimately defined her career and helped implement the first graduate program in the U.S. to educate primary-care gerontological nurse practitioners.

Lisa Abdallah loves the Merrimack Valley. When the Lawrence native heard of a faculty opening with UMass Lowell’s School of Nursing in 2003, she didn't have to think twice.

Originally planning to become a doctor, when Wendy Sanchez received the Tsongas Scholarship to UMass Lowell as a high school senior, she decided to pursue nursing instead. The high achiever who turned hardship into success has no regrets.