Thank you

“Your investment in my education lifted a tremendous burden and allowed me to focus on my studies and goals. Because of your kindness, I have been able to make a meaningful impact in health care and give back to the community. Thank you for helping me turn my aspirations into reality!”

Chris Fortney is a proud three-time alumna of The Ohio State University College of Nursing. After earning her BSN, she went on to complete two graduate degrees—all while working full-time as a staff nurse in the NICU at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Now residing in Ohio, Chris serves as a tenured faculty member at the College of Nursing.

Over the course of her career, Chris has achieved numerous milestones. She has been inducted as a Fellow in both Palliative Care Nursing and the American Academy of Nursing. She also served on the College of Nursing Alumni Society Board, including as President during the 2023–2024 term. In addition, she is a respected and accomplished researcher in neonatal palliative and end-of-life care.

Chris expresses deep gratitude for the support she received as a student. She shares that she would not have been able to attend nursing school without the generosity of donors like you. Your support empowered her to pursue her dreams and accomplish more in her nursing career than she ever imagined.

“None of this would be possible without my excellent Buckeye Nursing education, the amazing opportunities I had as a student are all thanks to your generosity.”

Following her graduation from The Ohio State College of Nursing, Melanie Claver began her career as a nurse in the Cardiac ICU at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. She later took on a travel nursing role at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago before returning to Cleveland to complete her anesthesia training at Case Western Reserve University.

Melanie now resides in Chicago, Illinois, where she has been practicing as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) at the University of Chicago for the past three years. She also serves as the student clinical coordinator for Endeavor Health nurse anesthesia students who rotate through her clinical site. She shares that she is passionate about advancing her practice and aspires to transition into more independent anesthesia roles in the future. For now, she enjoys the challenges of working at a Level 1 trauma center, providing care across a wide range of complex cases.

This past year has been especially meaningful for Melanie. She got married, welcomed her goldendoodle puppy Luna and purchased her first home.

Ari is a proud alumnus of The Ohio State University College of Nursing, where he earned a Master of Science in Nursing in 2022. Ari currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona, working as a family nurse practitioner and HIV specialist at Spectrum Medical Care Center, a nonprofit community health center dedicated to serving the LGBTQ+ community. Since graduating in 2022, Ari earned accreditation as an HIV specialist through the American Academy of HIV Medicine and has maintained that credential since. His clinical focus includes gender-affirming care and HIV prevention and treatment, aligning perfectly with the goals he set when entering his graduate studies.

Outside of clinical practice, Ari lives with his long-term partner and two beloved cats and is deeply engaged in his community. He is in the Phoenix Gay Men’s Chorus and volunteers as a camp nurse with One-n-ten Camp Outdoors, a program supporting LGBTQ+ youth.

Looking ahead, Ari is committed to advancing evidence-based care for transgender and nonbinary individuals and people living with HIV. He is passionate about health equity and advocates for increased support for students from underrepresented communities.

Ari extends heartfelt thanks to the donors who helped make his journey possible and giving him a chance to give back to his community.

“Thank you so much for your generous contribution to my education. I would not be where I am today without you. I take the responsibility of paying it forward seriously as I serve my patients and my community. I hope you know that your impact is spreading!”

Currently residing in Columbus, Ohio, Jeanie graduated in August 2024 and is now a certified nurse midwife at OhioHealth. She is leading the launch of the new Centering Prenatal Care Program, set to debut in 2026 at Riverside’s new Women’s Health Tower. Jeanie is also joyfully expecting her second child.

When asked about her career aspirations, Jeanie shares her deep commitment to expanding access to perinatal care in central Ohio. She envisions continuing this work through Centering, contributing to the creation of a birth center in Columbus, and engaging in teaching and advocacy to support maternal health in her community.