Nursing Professor Inspires Through Research, Mentorship, and Global Engagement

Dr. Margarett Alexandre is one of York College’s most dedicated Nursing scholars. She balances a demanding teaching schedule with a robust research portfolio and frequent professional presentations.

Most importantly, Dr. Alexandre engages her students in meaningful research and advocacy, preparing them for every stage of their training and for the rigorous demands of a nursing career. In recognition of her contributions, the Haitian American Nurses Association, Inc. of Greater New York will honor her this November at its Annual Awards and Scholarship Celebration Gala.

“It is with great honor that we announce your selection as one of this year’s honorees,” the Association wrote to Alexandre. “We are privileged to recognize your outstanding dedication to healthcare, the Haitian American community, and the advancement of nursing.”

Nursing is one of the most popular professions within the Haitian American community, with Haitian American nurses serving in significant numbers in hospitals across New York City, Long Island, and beyond.

Although Professor Alexandre is no longer engaged in clinical practice, she remains dedicated to the profession as an educator and continues to expand her students’ horizons through international opportunities. In the past, she has led groups to Haiti, Moldova (prior to the Russia–Ukraine war), and South Africa -- countries where healthcare needs are particularly pressing.

These experiences provide students with more hands-on training in a shorter time frame than is often possible at home. She also values the opportunities to expand her own knowledge while sharing her scholarship with colleagues at national and international gatherings of nursing professionals and educators.

This past summer was no exception. In June, the busy professor traveled to Helsinki, Finland, to participate in the International Council of Nurses Congress, attended by more than 7,000 nurses worldwide. There, she presented two collaborative research projects:

1. Using Simulation to Translate Theory into Practice (with Dr. Fern Baudo and Dr. Vanessa Carew)
2. Pediatric Tuberculosis at an Urban Hospital in Haiti (with Jocelyne Arnoux, RN, MSN, Director of Nursing at Grace Children's Hospital, Haiti)

In July and August, Dr. Alexandre also participated in the York College Summer Research Program, which mentors high school students as they develop research projects.

“Four senior nursing students -- Delis Cedeno, Nicele Arana, Charmin Wong, and Sofia Megias-Festa -- were hired to assist with the project,” she explained. “They focused on Therapeutic Communication and Fears Associated with Blood Transfusions in Teenagers. At the end of the program, students presented their posters at the American Museum of Natural History alongside more than 300 of their peers, as well as at a closing luncheon at York.”

Additionally, in July, Alexandre presented a collaborative research project -- needs assessment conducted with the Haitian Studies Institute at Brooklyn College. Her work continues into the fall. On September 19, 2025, she delivered the keynote address at the Haitian American Nurses Association of Hudson Valley’s 17th Annual Symposium. Her presentation, Rooted in Resilience: Nurses as Pillars of Support in Times of Change, reflected her deep commitment to the profession and the community.

In late September, Dr. Alexandre received a Certificate of Excellence in Global Education at the Caribbean Global Awards Gala in London, UK, in recognition of her exceptional dedication, innovation, and leadership in advancing global education.

“My motto is,” she says, “Together we can move mountains and make miracles happen.”

York College congratulates Dr. Alexandre -- along with her students, department, and the college community -- on her remarkable scholarship and the meaningful impact of her work.