Nursing Students Recognized for Cardiac Care Research
Monday, May 18, 2026
Samantha Gizzi, left, and Juliana Vitolo at the 35th Annual Options in Acute and Critical Care Conference, where they earned second place for their research poster on postoperative cardiac care.
Two Seton Hall nursing students in the College of Nursing earned second place for a research poster focused on improving care for critically ill cardiac patients recovering from surgery.
Samantha Gizzi, a junior, and Juliana Vitolo, a senior, were recognized for their poster, “Optimizing Care for Postoperative Cardiogenic Shock: Evidence-Based Strategies for Venoarterial (VA) ECMO Management,” at the 35th Annual Options in Acute and Critical Care Conference, held April 18 at Overlook Hospital in Morristown, New Jersey.
Hosted by the Northern New Jersey chapter of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, the conference brings together nurses and health care professionals to share research and best practices in acute and critical care.
In preparation for presenting their research, the students conducted a year-long review of the literature on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO), a temporary intervention that supports both heart and lung function in patients with severe cardiac failure.
“The College of Nursing is proud of Samantha and Juliana’s work in advancing best practices in cardiac patient care,” said Kristi Stinson, PhD, RN, APN, PNAP, interim dean in the College of Nursing. “Their recognition is a testament to their hard work and sophisticated analysis of medical research and will serve them well as future acute care nurses.”
Gizzi and Vitolo’s shared passion for cardiac care grew out of their clinical experiences as B.S.N. students caring for postoperative cardiac patients. While completing clinical rotations, the students worked with patients recovering from open-heart surgery and observed the level of coordination and specialized care required in cardiac recovery units. Those experiences inspired them to explore how evidence-based practices can improve outcomes for critically ill cardiac patients requiring VA ECMO support.
They were encouraged to pursue their research topic by the College of Nursing’s Caroline Meza, PhD, RN, CEN, NPD-BC, AHN-BC.
“Throughout the research process, Dr. Caroline Meza provided essential mentorship and guidance, offering valuable insight into both research methodology and effective presentation,” said Gizzi.
Their research project was sponsored by Seton Hall’s Buccino Leadership Institute (BLI). Gizzi and Vitolo are members of the four-year interdisciplinary program and presented their research at BLI’s annual Experiential Learning Showcase in May.
“Engaging in this level of research as undergraduate nursing students is not typical, and reflects the strength of the mentorship, training and leadership development fostered through the Buccino Leadership Institute,” said Vitolo.
The students are already applying their academic and clinical training in high-acuity cardiac care settings.
Gizzi is completing an externship at Morristown Medical Center in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) and the Cardiothoracic Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (CPACU). After graduating in May 2027, she hopes to pursue a career in cardiac surgery intensive care nursing.
Vitolo, who graduates on May 18, will begin her nursing career at Jersey Shore University Medical Center as a registered nurse in the Cardiovascular Surgery Step-Down Unit.
Categories: Health and Medicine
