Deanna Guano Schaffer

Deanna is a dedicated member of the Drexel community, having worked most of her career at Hahnemann Hospital, and then within the Drexel University nursing programs. Deanna has presented locally and nationally on various areas in nursing education and practice, and she is the current chair of the Drexel University BSN Co-op Nursing Program, as well as an assistant clinical professor in the College of Nursing and Health Professions.

Deanna is currently working on her dissertation at Widener University toward her PhD in nursing education (she's at Widener only because Drexel's nursing program does not allow its faculty to attend its doctoral nursing program). Deanna has a varied clinical background in the adult health, medical-surgical, and critical-care arenas for the past 20 years, actively practices today, and is also involved heavily in the area of nursing informatics. Deanna was one of the founding members of the College of Nursing and Health Professions alumni constituency group and serves on the Alumni Association Board of Governors. She is a dedicated Dragon who says the part of her job she enjoys most is recruiting students and alumni to the University.

Deanna received the Silver Dragon Society Award during Alumni Weekend 2015.

Where in the world have you never been and you would love to visit?

I would love to head to Alaska. The pictures are beautiful, nature at its finest. I imagine it as being peaceful. 

Why did you go to Drexel?

It wasn't Drexel at the time. I have three degrees, all from the same building. One from Hahnemann University, one from Allegheny University, and one from MCP-Hahnemann University, as run by Drexel. I went in order to become a nurse as quickly as possible. I graduated from my associates program at 19 years old and sat for my RN license. I remained with the school mainly because of tuition reimbursement. I stay today because I have truly embraced the Drexel philosophy and the Dragon within myself. 

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my three children and their accomplishments. It amazes me how well they have turned out considering that I was a fulltime employee, fulltime student, and fulltime mom as they were being raised. They say it takes a village, and my husband and our families were very supportive in raising them. My proudest moment is when someone complements me on them. 

How would your best friend describe you?

Dependable, funny, dedicated.

What is your favorite way to spend free time?