The Flynn Fellowship program provides an eight-week summer internship designed to stimulate career interest and foster development of the next generation of oncology nurses.

Yilma’s fellowship will be at Greenwich Hospital and the Smilow Cancer Center at Yale New Haven Health.

“My passions are holistic care and health equity,” said Yilma, who will graduate in 2023 with a bachelor of science in sursing. “Through my clinical rotations, work as a patient care assistant, and research at Johnson & Johnson, I have learned the importance of being attentive to individual needs of mind, body and spirit while performing nursing tasks. Like Mr. Flynn, I was first inspired by the nursing care a loved one received while in the hospital. I believe that we have a shared message of ‘pain with a purpose’ and a vision to propel the compassion that was first extended to us.”

Fred Flynn founded the fellowship program in honor of his wife, Susan, who lost her courageous battle with ovarian cancer in 2013. Flynn said that during his family’s challenging journey with the terrible disease, they witnessed firsthand the invaluable work and compassionate care of oncology nurses. The Susan Flynn Oncology Nursing Fellowship is awarded to rising senior undergraduate nursing students.

“I aspire to continue the legacy of patient-centered and evidence-based care that fostered the development of this program,” Yilma said. “I am truly grateful and looking forward to gaining experience in this rewarding field."