On April 4, 2025, the University of Vermont (UVM) College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CNHS) invested Dr. Laura Foran Lewis as the Carole Nagelsmith Greenberg Green & Gold Professor in Nursing. The ceremony was led by Dr. Rosemary Dale, Associate Dean for Clinical Practice at CNHS and Chair of the Department of Nursing, who holds the Holly and Bob Miller Professor of Nursing Leadership endowed faculty position. The ceremony included remarks by UVM Interim President Patricia Prelock, Monica Delisa, President and CEO of the UVM Foundation, and UVM nursing alumna Carole Greenberg ’63, the generous donor of the position.
Carole Greenberg has been a strong and steady supporter of the Department of Nursing for nearly 40 years. In addition to her gift to endow this faculty position, Carole’s contributions have included unrestricted gifts for departmental priorities, an endowed scholarship fund for undergraduate and graduate nursing students, and, most recently, an influential lead gift in a campaign for interior improvements to Rowell Hall. The breadth and depth of Carole’s donations have helped advance the Department of Nursing’s mission to equip nurses with the knowledge and skills to deliver high-quality healthcare, enhancing the wellbeing of communities in Vermont and beyond.
“UVM’s land-grant mission has at its core a social contract, and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences’ investment in the health and well-being of our community is one of the most important and visible ways that UVM fulfills that contract and advances its mission of service,” said Dr. Prelock. “Outstanding faculty members like Dr. Lewis are absolutely vital to this work—which is why this gift and these investitures are so very important.”
Dr. Laura Lewis is a registered nurse with experience in oncology, hematology, and end-of-life care. After completing her postdoctoral training at UVM, she joined the Department of Nursing faculty in 2016. She teaches chronic and palliative care, professional issues in nursing, and research. Dr. Lewis's research focuses on autistic adults, particularly those discovering their autism identity in adulthood and the intersection of queer and autistic identities. An expert in qualitative research methods, she enjoys training undergraduate students and guiding them through the research process. Dr. Lewis has co-authored several publications and presented at national and international conferences with students. Her work exemplifies the College of Nursing and Health Sciences’ commitment to developing future health leaders and practitioners who are ready to advance equity, care, and science, bringing great distinction to UVM.
"We are deeply grateful to Carole for her unwavering support, especially her investment in our faculty – our most valuable asset," said Dr. Dale. "Her gift of this professorship builds on her previous contributions and enhances our college’s ability to consistently offer exceptional educational experiences to our students."
"When I think about my education at University of Vermont, what I remember so specifically that made the school of nursing so meaningful and so excellent was one thing: the professors. They were demanding, they were challenging, they were supportive and caring," said Greenberg. "We all know the critical role that a professor plays in the life of a student, and it is to that end that establishing the green and gold professorship is a way for me to give back to all that I've gotten from the university as well as to honor an outstanding professor."
Fundraising for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences is a major focus for the University of Vermont Foundation, a nonprofit corporation established to secure and manage private support for the benefit of the University of Vermont. To inquire about making a gift to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, please contact Regina Farrell at (802) 656-3416 or regina.farrell@med.uvm.edu. More information about the impact of donors like Carole Greenberg and the work of the UVM Foundation can be found at www.uvmfoundation.org.
