Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing

Last week, we celebrated our newest inductees into Sigma Theta Tau International, the honor society for nursing.

These new graduates have earned this distinction through their academic excellence, leadership, and dedication to the nursing profession. Sigma Nursing recognizes nurses and nursing students who demonstrate a commitment to scholarship, service, learning, and advancing the future of nursing through education and research.

Join us in congratulating these new graduates for this impressive achievement!

Recent Goldfarb graduate Katelyn is stepping into her dream role this September as a pediatric oncology nurse at St. Louis Children's Hospital–a specialty that’s deeply personal to her.

Katelyn’s dad, Jeffrey, was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age 16 and received treatment at Children’s. Throughout her childhood, Katelyn's dad shared memories of the many nurses who supported him throughout his experience, ultimately inspiring Katelyn to choose nursing as well.

At Goldfarb's recent pinning ceremony, when students mark the transition from learner to nurse, Katelyn’s dad placed her nursing pin. This full-circle moment represents both his journey and the opportunity Katelyn now has to care for children and families facing similar challenges.

Thank you, KMOV, for sharing Katelyn's story. You can watch it here: https://heyor.ca/OdW0g8

Please join us in welcoming Darcy Sullivan, our new executive assistant to the president!

Darcy brings nearly eight years of experience at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, with a background spanning patient care, lab research support, fellowship coordination, and executive support. She’s passionate about building relationships, helping others succeed, and making a positive impact wherever she can.

A few fun facts about Darcy:

📍 She’s from Midwest City, OK
📖 Her favorite book is The Women by Kristin Hannah
🐶 She loves hiking with her corgi
🎨 She enjoys volunteering, reading, and making art
💬 Her favorite quote is: “The best way out is always through.” —Robert Frost

We’re so excited to have Darcy join the Goldfarb team.

Join us in congratulating our 179 summer graduates! As our graduates start their next chapter, they carry with them the knowledge, skills, and compassion needed to make a lasting difference in the lives of their patients and communities. 🎓💙

We were honored to have six-time Olympic medalist and philanthropist Jackie Joyner-Kersee deliver this year's keynote address. She shared her own experience with asthma and credited her doctors and nurses for getting her through it. "You are the best we have," she told the graduates, praising them for the "hard work, determination and passion" that brought them to this day.

Congratulations, Class of 2026! We can't wait to see all you accomplish.

Last night, we celebrated the newest members of the nursing profession as they achieved an unforgettable milestone. 💙🩺

The nursing pinning ceremony is a cherished tradition, giving each graduate the opportunity to be pinned by someone who has supported and inspired them throughout their journey. It commemorates the countless hours of dedication and perseverance that have brought them to this moment as they transition from students to professional nurses.

Congratulations to our newest graduates! We are honored to be part of your journey and can't wait to see the difference you'll make in the lives of your future patients. We know you'll make us .

Congratulations to Goldfarb President Angela Clark, PhD, RN, MSN, CNE, FAAN for being honored today by St. Louis Business Journal as one of the area's "Most Influential Business Women." At a time when nursing is in the national spotlight, we're proud to have Dr. Clark and others helping to lead the way.

"When leadership is collaborative, we can't help but make meaningful progress," said Dr. Clark. "I share this honor with everyone at Barnes-Jewish College and our partners throughout BJC HealthCare who work to shape a healthier future for our communities."

Dr. Clark has been instrumental in driving nursing workforce stability in St. Louis. Under her leadership, the college doubled its enrollment and rolled out new programming, including a Full-Ride Scholars' program.

Congratulations to Dr. Clark and all the other amazing honorees!

A new, streamlined path to an exceptional nursing education is now available right here in St. Louis.

Today, Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing and Webster University signed an agreement to launch the new Direct Admit BSN Program, providing high school students pursuing a career in nursing a direct path to Goldfarb!

Students who enroll in the Direct Admit BSN Program will have a guaranteed seat at both Webster and Goldfarb and will earn two degrees in four years: a BA in Biology from Webster and a BSN in Nursing from Goldfarb.

This program will provide students with a rich foundation and clinical excellence that will take them far in their nursing careers.

In the photo from the signing ceremony today is Webster University President Tim Keane (middle left), Goldfarb President Angela Clark, PhD, RN, MSN, CNE, FAAN (middle right), and both are flanked by Webster Provost Michael Hulsizer (far left) and Goldfarb assistant dean of admissions, Edward Gricius, MCP, MSISA, associate dean of student experience and development (far right).

Learn more: https://heyor.ca/VA6ZLj

Pinning marks the beginning of each graduate’s new chapter as a nurse. Thursday, our graduates will receive their nursing pins and officially step into the profession. Meet some of our graduates and the people who inspired their journeys:

✨Alana chose her sons, Carter and Mac, in honor of the support they provided throughout her nursing school. Their encouragement and belief in her made this achievement a family accomplishment.

✨Angela chose her husband, Brian, in recognition of the unending support he gave her during nursing school. Angela was inspired by her son, Triston, to build a brighter future and encouraged at every step by Brian’s unwavering faith in her.

✨Destiny chose her former preceptor, Kaylee, after the lasting impact she made during her externship at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Kaylee exemplifies the kind of compassionate, curious nurse she hopes to become.

✨Hannah chose her longtime friend and mentor, Lauren Rackers, AG-ACNP. After meeting nearly a decade ago, Lauren’s guidance and passion for emergency medicine inspired her own nursing journey.

✨Jada chose her boyfriend, Tanner, whose own life-threatening car accident during her first week of nursing school didn't prevent him from encouraging Jada every step of the way.

✨Katelyn chose her dad, Jeffrey, whose own battle with childhood leukemia at St. Louis Children's Hospital inspired her. This fall, she’ll begin her dream role as a pediatric oncology nurse at SLCH—a true full-circle moment.

✨Matthew chose his niece, best friend, and chosen sister, Elizabeth Moore, RN, BSN. After encouraging Elizabeth to pursue nursing, Matthew was inspired by her compassion and career to follow the same path.

✨Sophia chose her mom in honor of the strength and sacrifice that have shaped both her life and her nursing journey. Watching her mother’s battle with breast cancer deepened Sophia’s passion for oncology nursing.

✨Tiara chose her granny for the love, faith, and encouragement. By introducing Tiara to God and reminding her that all things are possible, her granny helped her achieve her dream of becoming a nurse.

In nursing, you never really stop learning. Sradha Ajithkumar, BSN, RN, is experiencing that firsthand as a critical care nurse in the ICU at Missouri Baptist Medical Center.

"Whether it’s clinical judgment, communication, teamwork, or learning how to support patients and families through difficult moments, each shift teaches me something new,” says Sradha.

Sradha originally moved to St. Louis from Dallas to pursue a degree in health information management, but over time increasingly found herself drawn to patient care. This growing passion led her to Goldfarb’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), challenging herself to complete her degree in a more intense timeline.

"I chose Goldfarb because of its strong connection to clinical practice and the broader St. Louis health care community,” says Sradha. “The program’s affiliation with BJC provided me with valuable exposure to real-world nursing experiences.”

The one-year accelerated BSN was every bit as rigorous as she expected. While the pace was challenging, Sradha says the experience helped her become more organized, resilient, and confident.

“Goldfarb helped me understand the 'why' behind clinical decision-making,” she says. “Now in the ICU, I’m continuing to build on that foundation every shift.”

As a critical care nurse, Sradha says she draws on her coursework nearly every day, since even small changes in a patient’s condition can be significant.

"That has really pushed me to continue to strengthen my assessment skills, to have a better understanding of pathophysiology, and to ask questions and communicate clearly with the team,” says Sradha. “I also really do value just being able to serve as a resource during that uncertain, difficult time and being able to advocate for that patient.”

While she only graduated just this past December, Sradha says her goal is to keep learning. She intends to earn an advanced degree someday through Goldfarb, but in the meantime, wants to keep acquiring new skills at the bedside.

“Looking back, my BSN went quickly, but I definitely feel like I grew a lot, personally and academically,” she reflects. “Right now, I’m focused on continuing to learn, strengthening my skills at the bedside, and making a meaningful difference for patients and families.”

Learn more about Goldfarb's accelerated BSN: https://heyor.ca/K0bzV9

Have you heard about Goldfarb's Nurse Educator MSN Program? 👩‍🏫

Join us for a virtual information session on July 23 to learn more about our Nurse Educator Program and how you can inspire, teach, and mentor the next generation of nurses.

With 100% online coursework, hands-on practicum experiences, preceptor placement assistance, and opportunities to teach undergraduate students, the program is designed to help working nurses grow into confident educators and leaders.

Plus, eligible BJC HealthCare nurses may be able to have tuition fully covered by combining BJC benefits with available grant funding.

Register today: https://heyor.ca/yQwSN7

Nurse Educator MSN Virtual Info Session Discover how our Nurse Educator MSN can help you advance your nursing career and prepare for educator roles in clinical and academic settings. During