National League for Nursing (NLN) President and CEO Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN, will deliver the commencement address and receive an honorary degree at Regis College’s Class of 2025 Commencement Exercises on Sat., May 10. The university will also bestow an honorary degree upon Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon, founder of Mustard Seed Communities, a Catholic ministry providing a safe home and care to children and adults with disabilities, children affected by HIV, mothers in crisis, and marginalized communities in five countries throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and Africa.
Prior to the NLN, Dr. Malone served as deputy assistant secretary for health under President Bill Clinton, was elected to two terms as president of the American Nurses Association (ANA), and served as the first African American general secretary of the United Kingdom (UK) Royal College of Nursing. A member of both the UK and US delegation to the World Health Assembly, she served as vice chair of the Brussels-based European Federation of Nurses Association. Furthermore, she has the distinguished honor of her portrait being displayed at the National Portrait Gallery in London.
In addition, Dr. Malone serves as vice chair at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Board of Directors, co-leads the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) Health Professional Education and Communication Working Group, and is a member of ecoAmerica’s Leadership Circle Executive Committee. She contributed to the groundbreaking IOM report, "The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health."
“Dr. Malone’s distinguished career in nursing and health care policy, education, administration, and clinical practice and advocacy for and support of the advancement of nurses has greatly impacted health care globally,” said Regis President Antoinette Hays, PhD, RN. “As a university that has graduated more than 2,600 nurses in the last three years to address the acute nursing shortage crisis, Regis applauds Dr. Malone for understanding the importance of prioritizing compassionate care in preparing nursing graduates who are confident in their ability to pursue a meaningful career in healthcare. She truly embodies the mission of Regis College and is a role model for Regis graduates.”
Dr. Malone’s numerous accolades include the American Nurses Association (ANA) 2024 Hall of Fame Award; the American Academy of Nursing 2024 Mary Elizabeth Carnegie Leadership in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) Award; the National Black Nurses Association 2024 inaugural Fellow in the Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing (FADLN); inclusion in Modern Healthcare magazine’s prestigious list of the 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives in Healthcare in 2023; the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) 2023 HRH Princess Muna Al Hussein Award for commitment to advancing the nursing profession and excellence in professional nursing practice globally; the American Nurses Association’s prestigious President's Award; and the M. Louise Fitzpatrick Award for Transformative Leadership by Villanova University.
Dr. Malone was also featured as one of 25 Outstanding Women during Women’s History Month by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alpha Omega Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau and the College of Nursing of Adelphi University on Long Island.
“I am truly honored to be recognized by Regis College, an institution that represents the highest ideals in nursing education. Their singular tradition of student character-building reflects the core values of caring, diversity and inclusion, integrity, and excellence that guide the National League for Nursing in our mission to build a strong and diverse, nursing workforce to deliver compassionate, quality patient care in today’s sophisticated, dynamic, and globally connected health care environment,” said Dr. Malone.
Monsignor Gregory founded Mustard Seed Communities (MSC) in 1978 in response to the heart-wrenching reality of children with disabilities abandoned on the streets of Jamaica. Witnessing the marginalized families’ struggle to provide for these children, Monsignor Gregory took decisive action. Identifying unused land, he gathered support from friends and secured funding to establish the first Mustard Seed home in Kingston, Jamaica’s capitol city. What began as a small home for a handful of children has evolved into a network of homes, schools, and small businesses across Jamaica, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Zimbabwe, and Malawi for more than 800 individuals. Monsignor Gregory holds degrees in urban planning, philosophy, and theology from Boston College and the University of the West Indies.
“We are so proud to bestow Monsignor Gregory with Regis’ highest honor for his tireless dedication to helping the Dear Neighbor, those in the greatest of need,” said President Hays. “Regis’ relationship with Mustard Seed Communities where nearly 100 students have visited and served has left a profound impact on their lives and those they served. We are in awe of this selfless individual and forever grateful for Mustard Seed Communities’ impact on building our students’ character.”
“I am honored to receive this esteemed recognition from a university with an enduring legacy of commitment to service and social justice advocacy,” said Monsignor Gregory. “This honor celebrates our shared dedication to serving the most vulnerable in our world and I thank Regis College for the support and partnership over the last several years.”
At the 95th commencement ceremony on May 10, Regis expects to graduate nearly 900 students, including more than 500 nursing students, awarding degrees from the associate to doctoral levels. The ceremony will take place in the Boston Seaport at the Leader Bank Pavilion.