PMHNP Student Timothy Park Wins Sarah B. Pasternack Essay Contest

Timothy Park, a student in the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) master’s program at the Stony Brook University School of Nursing, is one of two winners of the 2026 Sarah B. Pasternack Nursing Student Essay Contest. 

Conducted by the Nursing Archives Associates of the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center at Boston University, the contest is open to both undergraduate and graduate nursing students. One winning essay is selected from each; Timothy is the winner of the graduate student category. He receives a $500 prize and is invited to read his essay at a future Nursing Archives Associates board meeting.

“To be honest, I submitted an essay with very little expectations — I was more interested in using the writing process for myself,” Timothy said. 

“As I was approaching my final semester at Stony Brook, I wanted to take time to reflect on my experience and create something meaningful that I could keep as a memorandum of this chapter in my life,” he added. 

Inspired and Inspiring 

The 2026 contest’s theme was “Inspired to Become a Nurse,” and students were prompted to address what inspired them to pursue a career in nursing and how their inspiration relates to a significant historical figure or event. 

Timothy heard about the essay contest – which honors Sarah Pasternack, MA, RN, who served as the President of the Nursing Archives Associates for more than 20 years – through Senior Staff Assistants Kathleen McCauley and Amy Prokop.  

“As I transition into my career, knowing that my work can inspire others to pursue excellence in nursing is incredibly meaningful,” Timothy added. 

“It reinforces why I chose this profession — to make a difference not just through direct patient care, but through the example I set for my peers and future colleagues.”

Timothy will graduate from the PMHNP program in May.