Kellie Brigandi ‘14 remembers her time at Save Regina as “some of the best years of my life,” she continues, “Making lifelong friends and meeting my husband, Jacob, created moments I will never forget. Some of my fondest memories came from my short-term study abroad experience with the nursing program in Northern Ireland. It truly was the opportunity of a lifetime.” 

Brigandi’s favorite professor was Dr. Eileen Gray. At the time, Dr. Gray was the chair of the nursing program. Brigandi always noticed how Dr. Gray would take the time to know each nursing student individually, believing in the success of the students.  

“I think that is the difference between Salve and a larger university. At Salve you are not just a number and you will get the individualized education needed to succeed,” Brigandi states.  

Though Brigandi notes that was not an uncommon feeling at Salve Regina. She chose to come to Salve for the sense of community the campus had to offer. Coming from a small town in New Hampshire, she was nervous to venture off to a large university and get lost among the crowd.  

“That did not happen at Salve. I fondly remember one day during my freshman year when I was having an off day. My professor noticed I was not myself and reached out to me after class to make sure that I was doing okay. That encounter is exactly what makes Salve different than any other school. You become part of the Salve Regina family and that is what I loved most.” 

After Brigandi left Salve, she started her nursing career as a Medical Surgical nurse at Newport Hospital. After a year, she moved to Connecticut and continued her career as a nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Connecticut Children’s where she has been working for the last six years. Last year, Brigandi was even featured as a Healthcare Hero of the Week on Jimmy Kimmel Live for her efforts through the pandemic.  

“I could not dream of a more rewarding career,” Brigandi gushes.  

Since becoming a NICU nurse, Brigandi has been involved in the March for Dimes. Each year, she plans fundraisers and unit events in preparation for the March for Babies to help support research, advocacy, and education to decrease the risk for premature births.  

“I have been able to carry out the Salve Mission in my everyday work as a NICU nurse,” Brigandi says. “I have prepared for the challenge of learning as I continue to learn every single day. As the medical profession is always evolving, I am using the foundation Salve built for me and my skills as I continue to expand my knowledge and seek research to stay current in my field.”