Reflecting on 9/11’s Continuing Effects

For many in the Columbia Nursing community, September 11, 2001, is a lived memory that continues to shape how we think about service, resilience, and care. On the 25th anniversary of that day, a faculty member, a recent Doctor of Nursing Practice graduate, and an alum and veteran reflected on the events of that day and their ongoing effects. 

“As we mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, we remember those whose lives were lost that day, but we must also remember that the health consequences of 9/11 continue 25 years later," recalls Heidi Hahn-Schroeder, DNP, RN, associate dean and director of the Masters Direct Entry and Advanced Clinical Management and Leadership programs. "As a nurse and the wife of an NYPD detective who served as a first responder at the World Trade Center, I have witnessed firsthand the lasting impact of 9/11-related illness. My husband, like so many first responders and survivors, continues to face health concerns related to his exposure. More people have now died from 9/11-related illnesses than were lost on September 11, 2001. For those of us in nursing and health care, this anniversary is not only a time to remember. It is a call to continue caring for and advocating for the first responders, survivors, and families who continue to live with the consequences of that day. Twenty-five years later, we remember, we honor, and we do not forget.” 

For 2026 DNP graduate Alex Ketel, the connection is different but no less meaningful. Born on September 11, 2001, he grew up in the shadow of an event that profoundly influenced the nation and, over time, came to understand its lasting impact through the stories and experiences of those who lived through it. 

“Growing up in the early 2000s, the tragedy of that day and the consequences were something always on the back of everyone's minds across the country... This was very true even in the small town in Tennessee where I grew up,” Ketel says. 

“Since I have moved to NYC, I have met many nurses and other health care professionals whose experiences living and working during that time influenced their dedication to health care and in turn, their dedication to fostering wisdom and skill into the current generation of nurses including myself,” he adds. “I would say that 9/11 was a tragic day that continues to have consequences influencing almost every facet of life in some way, but the caliber of nurses who worked and maintained their empathy through that period has been something I try to strive for in my current practice, and I strongly lean on them for support.” 

Kenrick Cato, PhD '14, a professor of informatics at the University of Pennsylvania and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, enlisted in the Army as an infantryman after 9/11. He also served two tours of duty with the National Guard before deciding to go into nursing, graduating from Columbia Nursing's BSN program in 2008. "Never forget those we lost on September 11th, and the service members and families who have sacrificed so much in the years since. We remember their courage, their service, and their sacrifice."