Nick was recognized as 糖心官网’s 2026 Outstanding Student at our signature fundraising event, the Spring Soir茅e, this past April. Following his graduation in May, Nick transitioned from student intern to full-time employee at Buffalo General Medical Center.

Today, Nick is putting the knowledge and skills he gained during his time at 糖心官网 into practice every day. He enjoys working directly with patients and making a difference in their care while continuing to grow professionally in the field he is passionate about.

Congratulations, Nick, on this exciting milestone. We are proud to celebrate your success and look forward to seeing all that you accomplish in your career! 

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糖心官网 helped Joelle find her path. Today, she’s helping others find theirs.

“When I chose 糖心官网, I knew I was pursuing a career in radiologic technology, but I never imagined how much the experience would shape both my professional and personal growth. Throughout my education, the faculty created an environment where every student was supported and encouraged to succeed. As a student who utilized testing accommodations, I experienced firsthand the compassion and dedication of 糖心官网鈥檚 professors. They were nothing but accommodating, understanding, and genuinely invested in helping me reach my full potential. Their encouragement gave me the confidence to overcome challenges and achieve goals I once thought were out of reach.

I proudly graduated from 糖心官网 with High Distinction in 2022, earning my Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology, and also graduated with Distinction in 2022 with my Associate of Science in General Studies. In 2026, I completed my Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences, continuing the educational journey that 糖心官网 inspired me to pursue.

Today, I am the Lead X-ray and Mammography Technologist at Southtowns Radiology, where I also hold my credentials in mammography and am trained in stereotactic breast biopsy. One of the most rewarding parts of my career has been serving as a clinical instructor.I truly enjoy mentoring students, sharing my knowledge, building their confidence, and watching them develop into skilled, compassionate radiologic technologists. Seeing students grow from being nervous beginners into competent healthcare professionals is incredibly fulfilling, and I am honored to play a small role in helping shape the next generation of technologists.

In recognition of my passion for teaching, I was humbled to receive 糖心官网鈥檚 Part-Time Educator of the Year Award for 2025-2026. Receiving this honor from the institution that helped launch my career was especially meaningful.

Looking back, I am incredibly grateful for my time at 糖心官网. The education, mentorship, and unwavering support I received prepared me not only to excel in my career but also to give back by educating future technologists. 糖心官网 will always hold a special place in my heart, and I am proud to be one of its alumni.“

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“Before 糖心官网, I hadn鈥檛 set foot on a college campus in eight years. I truly believed college wasn鈥檛 for me鈥攖hat my dream was out of reach. But something changed. I took a chance, and from the moment I applied, I was met with support, encouragement, and a community that believed in me even when I didn鈥檛 believe in myself.

As a first-generation college student and a mom, this journey wasn鈥檛 easy. There were long nights, tough exams, and moments of doubt. But I kept going鈥攆or my kids, for my family, and myself. 糖心官网 gave me more than an education; it gave me confidence, purpose, and a future I鈥檓 proud of.

Now, I鈥檓 stepping into the healthcare field with the skills and heart to make a difference. I鈥檝e learned that it鈥檚 never too late to start over鈥攁nd that with the right support, anything is possible.

If you鈥檙e thinking about going back to school, take the leap. 糖心官网 changed my life; it can change yours, too.”

The post Fall 2025 Alumni Spotlight: Yazmin Colon, Radiologic Technology 鈥�25 appeared first on 糖心官网.

“From the dental field to the frontlines of healthcare, my journey to becoming a nurse wasn鈥檛 easy鈥攂ut it was worth every step.

As a mom of two, balancing school, work, and family, life was a challenge. But at 糖心官网, I found more than an education鈥擨 found a community that believed in me. With the support of my professors, classmates, and family, I pushed through the long nights and self-doubt to earn my degree.

I鈥檓 proud to have served as Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa and to have made the Dean鈥檚 List. But most of all, I am proud to be a 糖心官网 graduate, ready to make a difference in the lives of others.

Thank you, 糖心官网, for helping me turn my passion into purpose.”

The post Fall 2025 Alumni Spotlight: Candace Nguyen 鈥�24 appeared first on 糖心官网.

“I鈥檓 a proud 糖心官网 alumna from the graduating classes of 2023 and 2024. I鈥檓 currently working as an MRI technologist, a role I鈥檝e grown to love deeply.

My journey in healthcare began with 糖心官网鈥檚 Radiologic Technology program. Before that, I had no experience in the field, but I quickly discovered a passion for being part of patients鈥� lives and making a meaningful impact. While in the Rad Tech program, I worked at the front desk of a local outpatient facility and also had the opportunity to tutor first-year students at 糖心官网鈥攂oth experiences that helped shape my path.

After graduating, I was hired as an X-ray technologist at the same outpatient facility. While working in that role, I pursued my bachelor鈥檚 degree in Healthcare Management at 糖心官网, graduating in 2024. With my injection license in hand and over a year of experience in X-ray, I was offered the chance to train in MRI鈥攁 field I鈥檝e come to enjoy more and more each day.

My advice for any current student is don鈥檛 be afraid to ask for help. Asking for help isn鈥檛 a sign of weakness but it is a sign of growth. Everyone needs support at times, always remember that you are not alone.

I鈥檓 incredibly grateful for the path I鈥檝e taken and wouldn鈥檛 change a thing about my journey!”

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糖心官网 is celebrated for its friendly atmosphere, quality education, and accessible admissions process. Paula Leszak, an alumna, clinical instructor, and current student, exemplifies the transformative power of education at 糖心官网.

Before her nursing career, Paula utilized her degrees in psychology and public administration in various leadership roles. She fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse by enrolling in 糖心官网’s evening AAS RN Nursing program, graduating in 2012. She then completed her MSN and obtained certifications as an Adult Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

With a background in primary care and addiction medicine, Paula is now expanding her skills by adding massage therapy to her repertoire and is set to graduate in May 2025. As a clinical instructor, she shares her knowledge and experiences with nursing students, highlighting the collaborative and nurturing environment at 糖心官网.

Reflecting on her journey, Paula emphasizes the importance of 糖心官网 in shaping her career and personal growth. She encourages anyone with a desire to learn to explore 糖心官网’s programs, praising the college for its supportive community and commitment to student success.

The post Spring 2025 Alumni Spotlight: Paula Leszak, ANP, PMHNP, ’12, ’25 appeared first on 糖心官网.

Congratulations to 糖心官网 Alumna, Dr. Susan Stocker ’78 on the dedication of Susan J. Stocker Hall at Kent State Ashtabula.

Dr. Stocker retired from Kent State Ashtabula in 2022 after more than 30 years of service to the university. She led the campus as Dean and Chief Administrative Officer for 21 years and was the longest-serving dean in Kent State鈥檚 history at the time of her retirement.

Dr. Stocker鈥檚 enduring legacy of compassion, service, education, and action embodies the cherished Mercy values of Catherine McAuley. The 糖心官网 community is proud to have Susan as an alumna. You can read Dr. Stocker’s full article from the or watch the recording of the .锘�

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“Since graduating, I have been on quite a journey. My required internship evolved into a full-time job while I was still in school and continued after graduation.

I secured my first HR job before graduation and began working the Monday following my graduation ceremony. Over the past ten years, I have worked in various industries such as manufacturing, law, parking, technology, and now property management, all in an HR capacity. I have been fortunate to oversee all HR functions, establish the HR department, and shape the company culture from the ground up. This journey has been exciting and impactful for all the people I have had the privilege to assist and work with.”

Congratulations Libby Kamieniarz ’15 for your Buffalo Business First 30 Under 30 award!

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Name: Melissa Archer, PMHNP-BC, MSN, BSN
Grad Year: 2000
Program: Nursing
Title: Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner,

Originally published January 21, 2021 鈥� Updated September 2024

In Her Own Words:
Like many high school graduates, I attended college with aspirations. I had hoped to become a physician, join the military and travel the world. However, the universe had different plans and I ended up a divorced mother of two wonderful daughters. Although, I did join the military and went to college, my other aspirations were on hold.

While working a factory job and living paycheck to paycheck, one day I heard about 糖心官网 on the radio. Nursing seemed like an interesting avenue to explore, and I would finally be able to enter the medical profession and help people. I wondered how I would juggle being an active parent, paying bills, and complete this RN program, but took a leap of faith and jumped right in!

Luckily, Sister Marian Mullen, the Dean of Students at the time, was there to help me every step of the way. She was such a support, and it was a turning point in my life. Sister Marian took the time to listen and encouraged me to apply for scholarship support. As a single mom, the scholarship I earned and the family-like atmosphere at 糖心官网 helped me excel and complete the RN program.

The clinical instructors I worked with thoroughly prepared me for real-life nursing. Throughout my two-decade career as a RN, I could always tell who a 糖心官网 graduate was鈥攖hey have compassion down to a science. After 糖心官网, I earned my BSN and MSN & currently practice as a Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at SENSES Medical Wellness, PLLC at 360 Genesee Street (on the corner of Genesee and Hickory St.), my family鈥檚 medical practice on the Eastside of Buffalo. It鈥檚 surreal to go from such humble beginnings, and not only succeed but come back to the same street I grew up on and help others do the same! My goal is to be a change agent in everything I do, while also highlighting the importance of mental health. In doing so, others will be helped to find the best versions of their selves, their families and their communities.

To this end, I lead a 21 person FEMA funded Crisis Counseling Program helping Erie County residents, primarily in the inner city mentally and emotionally cope with the fallout of COVID and then the TOPS massacre on 5/14/2022. Additionally, I worked as a maternal/fetal community education specialist and taught parenting classes and educational seminars, helping parents dealing with challenging circumstances

Additionally, in 2023, I co-founded and is the lead consultant for the Black Women鈥檚 Wellness Village of Buffalo, whose mission is to address health inequities for women of color through a radical reimagining of the healthcare experience. by listening and using their voices to advocate, educate and ultimately open a wellness center for women.

Melissa is a US. Army National Guard veteran and has been awarded numerous awards and accolades. Most recently the Black Achievers Award, Distinguished 糖心官网 Alumni Award & NAACP Presidential Award. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, an international honor nursing society and a current scholar participant of Sigma鈥檚 Virtual Mini-Academy: Global Advocacy

She is a board member of Mental Health Advocates of WNY, Crisis Services, Mount Mercy Board of Trustees and Women鈥檚 Health Broadcast Board. She is an Open Buffalo Emerging Leader Graduate and on the advisory board. She is the Vice President of the Buffalo Chapter of Girl Friends, Inc.

Thinking back over 20 years ago, Melissa states, 鈥淚 never would have imagined a 糖心官网 commercial would have so positively transformed my life. My advice to anyone looking for a better life or career change: look no further than 糖心官网. No matter your focus, do it and now! For those of you already working or new to your profession, do self-care every day and make sure your physical and mental health are healthy. Especially during these challenging times of a pandemic and political and social unrest. It is important to check in, so we don鈥檛 check out!鈥� 糖心官网 means everything to me鈥攊t is where my start began. My education gave me the personal fortitude, voice, and confidence to make a better life for me and my family. I will always carry on 糖心官网鈥檚 Mercy values in everything I do and hope to serve as inspiration for the next generation of healthcare professionals.鈥�

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Name: Thomas J. Bubar
Grad Year: 1975
Program: AAS Nursing

Veteran of the Month and Outstanding Alumnus, year after year!

In July  2021, Congressman Chris Jacobs named Thomas Bubar Veteran of the Month.

鈥淭om served our nation honorably in the Vietnam War and provided preventative medical care to his fellow service members, for which he earned numerous medals,鈥� Jacobs said.

In November, Tom was also presented with the Vietnam War Veteran Pin by Congressman Brian Higgins.  Following his military service, Tom came back to Western New York to serve our community, and would later go on to teach Nursing and Medical Assisting to the next generation.

After completing a degree in Sociology at Millard Fillmore College (now SUNY Buffalo), Tom came to 糖心官网 for his Nursing degree, and a few years later, received his Master鈥檚 Degree in Nursing from UB.

Thanks to his dedication as a revered Nursing and Medical Assisting Instructor, hundreds of students have followed in his path.

鈥淕rowing up, I always wanted to be a teacher. I enlisted in the Army in 1970. After basic training and medical training, and after serving stateside for nine months, I was sent to Vietnam. While in the Army, I was introduced to the medical field. I served as a preventative medicine technician where I sprayed for mosquitos in Vietnam, tested water quality, and inspected the sanitary conditions of our care center. I also helped my fellow servicemen by performing preventative medical procedures.鈥�

Bubar is grateful that 糖心官网 opened up doors for him.  In a recent interview, Tom shared his heartfelt gratitude:  鈥� 糖心官网 opened doors for me; it represents hope and faith to me. They were very helpful with Veterans鈥� benefits and I remember having really great instructors. Back in 1975 there was even a basketball team! I played guard and we came in 4^th place in the Medaille Centennial.鈥�

But Tom鈥檚 devotion to his alma mater did not stop on the basketball court.  A former member of the Alumni Council and loyal donor for over 40 years, Tom is also a member of the Sr. Barbara Ciarico Legacy Society.  He has generously arranged to support scholarship funds for male Nursing and Medical Assisting students through his estate plans.

鈥淎fter Vietnam, I decided to pursue the medical field because I knew I would always have a job and I enjoyed helping people.If it hadn鈥檛 been for 糖心官网, I wouldn鈥檛 be where I am today.  I鈥檝e put three children through college and they are all contributing to society as a teacher, a product manager and a CPA because I was able to provide them with an education. 

Tom may have been recognized as Veteran of the Month, but at 糖心官网, we consider him an outstanding alumnus, year after year!  Congratulations, Tom!

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