Double Take Storytelling Event - Stories that make you think

Monday, 08 September 2025 at 16:00 / Lectures and forums, Events for students, Events for faculty and staff / McLeod Hall

A storytelling event featuring School of Nursing students, faculty, and staff

Stories unite us. This special School of Nursing event will feature eight School of Nursing faculty, staff, and students who will perform and present short, personal stories from their lives across a range of topics around the theme of "building bridges."

In addition to an opening song performed by CNL master's student Jamilia McCoy, featured speakers will include:  

• Ashley Apple, assistant professor and VNA commissioner on government relations
  who will share how working as a nurse during Hurricane Harvey changed her perspective, care, and willingness to show up
• Symaah Banawoe, UVA Facilities Management staff
  who will share the story of her journey to Charlottesville from Togo in 2017, and how the devastating loss of her young daughter affirmed the power of living in community 
• Sharon Bragg, assistant professor
  who will share how an early job at a hair salon in high school shaped her life, and her nursing
• Geanette Boggs, BSN student
  who will share how growing up in rural Pound, VA, and being legally emancipated at age 16, helped her find her purpose and future
• Helennith Jurado, BSN student
  who will share how she's connected to her Quechua community and roots since moving to the United States
• Janice Lavoie, DNP student and nurse practitioner
  who will share how a love of music and dance helped her heal from a stroke at age 30, experiences that shapes how she cares for others
• Richard Ridge, assistant professor and nurse practitioner,
  who will share how his early nursing experiences caring for patients with spinal cord injuries shaped the nurse he is today

Join us for a memorable evening of stories from colleagues from across our community. Light refreshments will be served at the event, which takes place in McLeod Hall Auditorium*, 4-6 PM (*this is an updated location).