Sergine Delma

Sergine Delma, DNP-FNP student at Columbia University School of Nursing, is the 2025–2026 recipient of the Columbia University – Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association Inc./J. Margaret Ada Mutch Scholarship. Established in honor of Ms. Mutch’s 100th birthday, the scholarship supports Sergine’s doctoral studies in Family Nurse Practice with a subspecialty in oncology. Ms. Mutch’s leadership was instrumental in forging the foundational relationship between Columbia University and New York-Presbyterian, a legacy that has already impacted Sergine, who completed a year-long rotation in the oncology clinic at New York-Presbyterian.

Sergine completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the Regis College, where she graduated magna cum laude. At Regis, she held several leadership roles, including Vice President of the Student Government Association and student representative on the Board of Trustees.  She is now in the final year of her DNP studies at Columbia. A newly board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, she previously worked as a palliative oncology nurse at Mass General Brigham and later served as a hospice liaison and quality manager at VNS Health in New York City.

Sergine’s passion for nursing was shaped by witnessing the devastating impact of inadequate healthcare infrastructure and limited health literacy. Her grandfather’s life was tragically cut short due to an avoidable error during a diabetic crisis, an outcome of systemic gaps in care. Years later, while working in Boston, Sergine cared for a patient experiencing a nearly identical crisis who survived because of her timely intervention, education, and advocacy. In her reflective essay A Tale of Two Patients, she writes, “The first patient was my grandfather. The nurse in the second scenario was me—twenty-two years too late.” That stark contrast continues to fuel her commitment to health equity, innovation, and transforming care for underserved populations.

Sergine chose Columbia’s DNP program for its rigorous clinical training and strong focus in interdisciplinary research. She is currently conducting research on reducing stigmatizing language in nursing documentation using artificial intelligence tools. Her poster on artificial intelligence in diabetes prediction and management was selected for presentation at the Sigma International Nursing Research Congress.

In addition to her academic and research commitments, she is deeply engaged in community and advocacy work. At Columbia, Sergine serves as a University Senator, representing nursing students and ensuring their voices are heard across the broader Columbia community. She also co-founded the Columbia Nursing Pathways Collective, which exposes students to diverse career paths in entrepreneurship, tech, consulting, and leadership. She co-chairs the student committee of the Greater New York City Black Nurses Association and has lobbied on Capitol Hill with the AANP for full practice authority for nurse practitioners. Internationally, she has participated in global service trips, delivering health education in Kenya and offering health screenings to families at the U.S.–Mexico border. 

With her DNP, Sergine aims to bridge clinical practice and innovation, focusing on the use of artificial intelligence and digital health to improve chronic disease outcomes in underserved communities. She also aims to advance research, influence health policy, mentor future nurse leaders, and contribute to global health initiatives. 

Receiving the Columbia University – Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association Inc./J. Margaret Ada Mutch Scholarship is both a financial and symbolic affirmation of her mission to ensure that the “tale of two patients” becomes a relic of the past. Sergine is honored to be recognized by NEF and inspired by Margaret Ada Mutch’s legacy. Through her work, she strives to leave a lasting impact on the future of nursing and the global health landscape.