Clinical Leadership Collaborative for Diversity in Nursing (CLCDN)
The Clinical Leadership Collaborative for Diversity in Nursing (CLCDN) is a collaboration between Mass General Brigham and UMass Boston’s Donna M. and Robert J. Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences (MCNHS). The CLCDN Fellowship provides professional and leadership development opportunities for diverse nursing students at UMass Boston who have demonstrated academic excellence, the promise of success, and leadership potential. This program is dedicated to driving transformative change in the nursing workforce, embodying the spirit of diversity, equity, and innovation. To date, the program has supported over 100 undergraduate nursing students.
In the summer of 2023, a remarkable $20 million expansion of the program was announced, with $10 million gifts from both Mass General Brigham and the UMass Boston Foundation to support up to 400 students over the next 5 years. This substantial investment serves as a testament to the joint commitment of fostering a healthcare landscape that is not only clinically proficient but also culturally sensitive. The expansion of the CLCDN program forges a sizable path toward an inclusive, equitable, and proficient future for nursing, where diversity is celebrated, leadership is cultivated, and nursing's role is solidified in shaping health equity.
CLCDN Fellowship
As part of the CLCDN Fellowship, fellows receive:
- Support from an experienced nurse mentor through their first year as a new nurse,
- Professional and leadership development opportunities,
- Networking opportunities,
- Support from program staff,
- Financial support,
- Academic support,
- Preferential clinical placements within Mass General Brigham facilities,
- NCLEX preparation support, and
- Job placement support.
Fellows are expected to complete at least 2 years of employment at one of Mass General Brigham’s 17 worldclass affiliates with the potential of their first year being in a transition to nursing practice program.
CLCDN Program Outcomes
Previous CLCDN alumnae and mentors have enrolled in or completed graduate school, attained leadership roles in the nursing profession, participated in professional organizations, addressed global health issues, championed combating health inequities, and served as role models in the nursing field.
This unique collaboration between Mass General Brigham and UMass Boston to support and expand the CLCDN program stands as a beacon of progress, inclusivity, and excellence as it promotes transformative change in the nursing workforce.
Recruitment of Students
MCNHS undergraduate Nursing students in the Bachelor of Science degree program in both the traditional option as well as the accelerated option are eligible to apply for the CLCDN fellowship. We will be accepting students in the traditional option twice a year (fall and spring) and students in the accelerated option three times a year (fall, spring, and summer). CLCDN staff members will visit classes and attend admitted student days to introduce the program. We will also hold virtual drop-in sessions for prospective students to talk further with staff.
Students interested in applying will submit an application, which will give them a chance to share with the selection committee about their diverse backgrounds and life experiences, and how those experiences will shape them as future nurse leaders working toward addressing inequities in the healthcare system. Team members from both UMass Boston and Mass General Brigham review the applications and participate in the final selection of fellows.
Contact CLCDN@umb.edu for more information.
CLCDN Team Members
Chris Faulkner, Program Director
Office: Quinn-02-0087
Phone: (617) 379-0186
Email: Christopher.Faulkner@umb.edu
Gabriela Eschleman, UMass Boston Program Coordinator
Office: Quinn-02-0084B
Phone: (617) 379-0186
Email: Christopher.Faulkner@umb.edu
Alisha Bhatia, Student Success Coach
Office: Quinn-02-0084B
Email: Alisha.Bhatia@umb.edu
Vicky Nguyen, Mass General Brigham Program Coordinator
Email: vnguyen47@mgb.org
For general inquiries or questions: CLCDN@umb.edu
The CLCDN Steering Committee also includes members of the UMass Boston team – Dr. Jessica Whiteley and Dr. Suha Ballout and members of the Mass General Brigham team – Dr. Gaurdia Banister and Colleen Moran.