The Stony Awards

Diana Champney
Champney is the program coordinator at Stony Brook University’s Center for Inclusive Education. A Long Island native who was previously based in Colorado, her background in community management, coupled with a passion for inclusive spaces, has enriched her position. Whether she is supporting scholars or planning events, Champney is dedicated to fostering genuine connections and building community.

Ellen Cooke
Cooke is senior director of internal communications and internal brand management. She creates messaging for faculty, students and staff under the Be Connected brand umbrella. Cooke supports and brings together communications partners across campus. She is also the co-lead of the Campus Beautification Committee. Cooke aims to create an environment where everyone feels welcomed, valued, informed and engaged — and she loves everything Stony Brook.

Giselle Gerardi, PhD
Gerardi is an assistant professor at Stony Brook University’s School of Nursing and a past co-chair of the school’s Committee for Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Social Justice. A 2018–2020 Jonas Scholar, her research focuses on perinatal health and Latine populations. Gerardi is passionate about health policy and advancing an inclusive campus culture through equity-driven education and advocacy.

Ric S. McClendon, EdD
McClendon, an assistant vice president and the dean of students, joined the university in 2021. He serves as a senior leader within the Division of Student Affairs, which plays a pivotal role in successfully transitioning undergraduate and graduate students to Stony Brook and in strengthening their personal development. McClendon is engaged in research and practice in restorative justice principles for colleges and universities.

Amruta Desai, DO
Desai is a double board-certified anesthesiologist specializing in interventional chronic pain management. She also holds dual MBA and MPH degrees, which enhance her ability to provide patient-centered, multidisciplinary pain management care. Dr. Desai is active in research, education and service. She has been elected to state and national committees, and honored with multiple awards, including Stony Brook University’s 40 Under Forty. 

Georgios Georgakis, MD, PhD
Georgakis is an associate professor of surgery at Stony Brook University. A nationally recognized surgical oncologist, he has led innovations in minimally invasive cancer care and multidisciplinary service lines. His work emphasizes compassionate, patient-centered care and equitable access to advanced surgical treatments, and a commitment to delivering high-quality cancer care that honors each patient’s journey.

Stephanie Parra
Parra is a medical interpreter at Stony Brook University Hospital. As a first-generation child of immigrant parents, she was the medical interpreter for them and witnessed firsthand the challenges patients face navigating healthcare. That exposure sparked her passion for improving the patient experience. At Stony Brook, Parra is dedicated to breaking language and cultural barriers, advancing health equity and supporting the community.

Lisa A. Romard
Romard is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and asthma educator with nearly 40 years’ experience at Stony Brook, 25 of which have been with the pediatric pulmonary division. She specializes in asthma patient care and leads patient education initiatives, co-chairs quality improvement teams, innovates and creates patient education tools, participates in research and quality improvement projects, and speaks at local and national forums.

Dana Jecewiz
Jecewiz is the senior director of financial planning and analysis in the Office of the Provost. There, she provides budget and financial planning support to more than 35 schools, colleges, centers, institutes, and administrative units across campus. Jecewiz is proud to support Stony Brook’s values and academic mission through her work in the Office of the Provost.

Susan McCarthy
McCarthy has a 41-year career in social work and public health. She joined Stony Brook as the director of social work in 2007 and has been in that role for more than 18 years. She leads a large talented team and is dedicated to systemwide projects for family violence prevention, behavioral health, social determinants of health and healthcare equity.

Diane Perillo-Morabito
Perillo-Morabito is the senior director of finance and operations for Continuing Professional and Online Education (CPOE). She oversees strategic budget growth and assists all programs under CPOE: Accelerated College Education, Center for Corporate Education, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Pre-College Summer and the School of Professional Development. Prior to CPOE, she worked in Student Engagement and Activities with the undergraduate student government and campus student clubs.

Karian Wright
Wright is the assistant dean for diversity and inclusion for The Graduate School and director of the Center for Inclusive Education. She is also the PI or co-PI for several federally funded awards supporting graduate students and postdocs across a wide range of disciplines. Her work promotes the advancement and success of scholars historically excluded from graduate education and research careers.

Mei Lin (Ete) Chan-Lo, PhD
Chan-Lo is a researcher, educator and innovator in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. She fosters students’ experiential learning and career readiness by engaging them in creative ways inside and outside the classroom. She has been recognized with the SUNY systemwide Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service, Best Teaching Award, Best Community Service Award, Outstanding Student Organization’s Advisor Award, and is a Career Readiness Champion.

Kirshani Gunaratnam
Gunaratnam is the lead academic advisor for the Honors College within the University Honors Programs. She also serves as thesis coordinator for Honors College and WISE Honors students. Gunaratnam guides high-achieving students through meaningful research experiences and their yearlong thesis journeys. A proud Seawolf since 2019, she finds purpose in fostering connection and growth through holistic advising and community-building initiatives.

Christine Marsh
Since 2008, Marsh has played a central role in sustaining the School of Dental Medicine’s community outreach programs, including its Mobile Dental Clinic, school-based partnerships and public health initiatives across Long Island. As a registered dental hygienist, she is deeply committed to improving public health outcomes and bridging dental education with community need, creating meaningful opportunities for students and residents to engage in compassionate, service-driven care.

Rhona Sherwin, DDS
Dr. Sherwin is a clinical professor at the School of Dental Medicine with more than 40 years in academic, clinical and community-based settings. A diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, she has directed countless outreach initiatives, secured millions in grant funding, mentored future leaders in the field, and received Lifetime Service and Distinguished Alumnus awards for advancing care for underserved children.

Mei Lin (Ete) Chan-Lo, PhD
Chan-Lo is a researcher, educator and innovator in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. She fosters students’ experiential learning and career readiness by engaging them in creative ways inside and outside the classroom. She has been recognized with the SUNY systemwide Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service, Best Teaching Award, Best Community Service Award, Outstanding Student Organization’s Advisor Award, and is a Career Readiness Champion.

Sean Getty, OTD
Getty is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy, where he has taught since 2007. A registered and licensed occupational therapist, he has held the role of Southampton site coordinator, interim chairperson, doctoral capstone coordinator and vice chairperson. He has served on the boards of two local nonprofit organizations and has dedicated himself to improving the mental health of his students.

Jeannie Guglielmo
Guglielmo, chair and a clinical associate professor in the School of Health Professions’ Clinical Laboratory Sciences Program, is deeply committed to service leadership and student success. She is the recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service and ASCP Member Excellence in Education Award. Guglielmo also participates in numerous community outreach programs in the fields of education and science.

Lori Lyons
Lyons is an enrollment services specialist in Stony Brook University’s School of Professional Development, where, for the past 14 years, she has championed graduate admissions, student support and engagement. Lyons has been a dedicated member of the Stony Brook community since 2010. She is also a recipient of the 2022 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service.