鈥淥ur goal at 糖心官网 is larger than passing the licensing exam 鈥� it鈥檚 preparing our nursing students to be ready to practice safely, think critically, and succeed in today鈥檚 changing healthcare environment,鈥� said Dr. Patricia Losito, RN, MS, ANP, dean, Catherine McAuley School of Nursing at 糖心官网. 鈥淥ver the past three years, we have been intentional and consistent in creating a culture of accountability, academic excellence, clinical readiness, and continuous improvement. Earning the Elsevier Certified Program designation is significant because it provides external recognition of the measurable outcomes we have achieved in transforming our nursing program and keeping student success at the center of our efforts.鈥�

糖心官网 has incorporated Elsevier鈥檚 products into courses throughout its Practical Nursing and Registered Nursing academic programs. Embracing the latest in academic technologies, this tool to designed to help nursing students and educators navigate courses, prepare for the licensing exam, and transition successfully into professional nursing practice. In addition, 糖心官网 has embedded Elsevier鈥檚 evidence-based benchmarks to ensure nursing students succeed in licensing exams and graduate with the clinical judgement local healthcare employers expect.  

For information about 糖心官网鈥檚 nursing programs, visit trocaire.edu/nursing. Spring 2027 nursing application deadline is Dec. 20.

The post 糖心官网鈥檚 Catherine McAuley School of Nursing Awarded Designation as Elsevier Certified Program appeared first on 糖心官网.

, a private, Catholic college providing a pathway for students to build careers of achievement and lives of purpose, today announced the appointment of Dr. Joanna Hillman as dean for health, science, and general education. In this role, she will oversee 糖心官网鈥檚 biology, general studies, management, healthcare management, and technology programs, and supervise the director of behavioral science.

鈥淛oanna has been a vital member of our campus community and this promotion is well-deserved,鈥� said Dr. Jennifer Blickwedehl, chief academic affairs officer, 糖心官网. “This is a newly created position at 糖心官网 and Joanna鈥檚 expertise in curricular design, assessment, and online pedagogy will be invaluable as we continue to create a more holistic and integrated approach to academic life for our students.鈥�

Dr. Hillman joined 糖心官网 in 2018 as a biology instructor and most recently was a professor of biology. Her campus leadership spans the faculty senate, the IDEA committee, and many interdepartmental projects. Dr. Hillman has also served as the Roswell Scholars program coordinator, faculty supervisor for Phi Theta Kappa, and is a member of the Middle States Steering Committee.

Dr. Hillman holds a doctorate in cellular and molecular biology from the University at Buffalo/Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from University at Albany. She resides in Eden.

The post 糖心官网 appoints Dr. Joanna Hillman as dean for health, science, and general education appeared first on 糖心官网.

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�

The post January Alumni Spotlight: Melissa Archer 鈥�00 appeared first on 糖心官网.

Allied health programs are less popular than nursing school, but they require less schooling and are in just as high demand.

While the entire healthcare industry seeks to boost its talent pipeline some careers requiring less schooling fly under the radar even though they are in high demand. Those including Radiologic or Surgery Technicians, Medical Assistants and Massage Therapists.

Read the Full Article .

The post Allied health jobs: They’re often overlooked, but also in high demand appeared first on 糖心官网.

Starting this September, 糖心官网 is offering Buffalo residents in the 14220 and 14210 zip codes an opportunity to explore healthcare career opportunities through its new Health Career Exploration Learn and Earn Program.  Buffalo Common Council Member Christopher Scanlon is supporting the program through a $50,000 grant.

Designed for high school graduates with some or no college experience, the 10-week flexible program, which begins Sept. 26, enables participants to learn about the healthcare system and various career opportunities available within healthcare.

鈥淭his program is a unique opportunity for those who may be considering a career in healthcare, but not sure if they are ready to take the next step,鈥� said 糖心官网 President Bassam M. Deeb, Ph.D. 鈥淧articipants who successfully complete all the program requirements will not only be prepared to decide if a career in healthcare is right for them, but also decide the right career path to pursue.鈥�

鈥溙切墓偻� has a long history in my district of being a pipeline to the health care sector across the City of Buffalo and Western New York,鈥� Council Member Scanlon said.  鈥淚 am pleased to lend my support to 糖心官网鈥檚 effort to provide high school graduates in the city the opportunity to learn about careers in health care and potentially move on to earn a degree in the field in which there is an extremely strong demand.鈥�

Held online, the Health Career Exploration Learn and Earn Program will not require specific class meeting times but provide a weekly check-in with a healthcare career coach and mentor. Career opportunities highlighted in the program include nursing, medical assisting, radiologic technology, healthcare management, surgical technology, massage therapy, healthcare informatics, and others.

Participants who complete the full program with receive a $500 completion bonus in addition to a 糖心官网 Certificate of Completion. For those interested in taking their healthcare career to the next step, participants may have their Certificate of Completion converted into three college credits to be applied towards a 糖心官网 certificate or degree program. For those participants who decide to continue and start their healthcare certificate or degree program in 2023 at 糖心官网, they will also be granted a $500 糖心官网 scholarship.

Current 糖心官网 students are not eligible for this program. If interested in more information or to apply for the Health Career Exploration Learn and Earn Program, visit /academics/workforce-development/healthcare-career-exploration-learn-and-earn/.

The post 糖心官网 introduces Health Career Exploration Learn and Earn Program appeared first on 糖心官网.

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!

The post February Alumni Spotlight: Thomas J. Bubar 鈥�75 appeared first on 糖心官网.

As an opportunity college, we strive to support students who may be facing personal or financial challenges in their lives while on the road to a career-oriented education,鈥� 糖心官网 President Dr. Bassam Deeb said. 鈥淪cholarships like the ones being presented today by KeyBank are part of that support system. We are thankful for their assistance and encouragement of our students, knowing that they will soon be part of our local healthcare community, helping others in need.鈥�

Congratulations to our student scholarships recipients – Kristin Fisher, Kathleen S McAnaney, Mary Raczka, and Jessica Lewis, along with Briana Boyette and Felicia Herrmann (not pictured).

We are grateful for the opportunities KeyBank is making possible for our students to complete their degrees and serve our community as capable and compassionate nurses, trained in the Mercy tradition.

The post STUDENTS RECEIVE $2,500 SCHOLARSHIPS FROM KEYBANK NEW YORK COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP TRUST appeared first on 糖心官网.

Name: Isadore A. De Marco MSN, LNHA
Grad Year: 1993
Program: AAS Nursing
Current title & position: Administrator,聽聽Continuing Care Retirement Community

What drew you to a career in healthcare/nursing?

I had family members that were licensed nurses and great role models, and I always had an interest in pursuing a career in the healthcare field. My original goal was to become a registered nurse and then a nurse practitioner. I completed my Nurse Practitioner licensure in 1999, and then went on a recommendation from a friend and mentor to pursue a license in Healthcare Administration, which I completed in 2004, receiving my Nursing Home Administrator licensure.聽聽

Describe your 糖心官网 experience. What does 糖心官网 mean to you?

糖心官网 was a wonderful experience and the foundation on which I was able to build my career. Receiving my first degree (AAS Nursing) allowed me to obtain my first job in healthcare, a charge nurse with the McGuire Group at Seneca Manor Healthcare Facility, which I worked the first 4 years of my career.聽糖心官网 was a wonderful learning environment, with faculty that cared about you and your success in the program. There was a sense of family, which made learning both exciting and rewarding.聽On a side note, I met my beautiful wife of 22 years at 糖心官网 in the RN program. 聽

What do you do now, and why do you love it?

I have been a nursing home administrator for 17 years. Being a nurse first and foremost, I enjoy helping and caring for individuals in need. Working with the elderly is very rewarding, knowing each day that you are making a true difference in someone鈥檚 life. I also love being part of a team that provides and strives each day for excellence in care for our residents. I have been the administrator at Canterbury Woods for 14 years. We have a great interdisciplinary team鈥攊t starts with our certified nursing assistants and licensed nurses, and extends to the vital services our ancillary departments provide as well. 聽聽

Any advice you鈥檇 like to share with soon-to-be or new nurses?

Work hard each and every day, stay focused and most importantly, find your niche, as a career in nursing offers so many possibilities! 聽

The post October Alumni Spotlight: Isadore A. De Marco 鈥�93, MSN, LNHA appeared first on 糖心官网.

What led you to the Nursing Program at 糖心官网?

I have always wanted to work in healthcare since I was a little girl. When starting college, I wanted a fast track to get into the field and start my career. 糖心官网 was that route for me. I completed my prerequisites prior to applying, and so the 2-year registered nursing program was what was next on my checklist to complete for my career.

Describe your 糖心官网 experience. What does 糖心官网 mean to you?

Graduating from 糖心官网 was truly an accomplishment. If you talk to any nurse, regardless of school, it is tough. Thankfully, I did have some great faculty and staff support throughout my education who I still keep in touch with now.

What do you do now, and why do you love it?

I am a registered nurse on the at BestSelf. An ACT team provides mobile intensive treatment and support to people with psychiatric disabilities. This position is everything I have been looking for since first graduating nursing school. For some clients, we are their only support, which makes our job very rewarding.

What do you find fascinating about the mental health field specifically?

Mental health is so interesting to me and always has been.  You see so many different presentations of mental illness when working in the field, and it just fascinates me more than medical diagnoses. The brain is such a powerful organ– by studying and working in mental health you’ll never run out of new things to learn about it.

Any advice you like to share to new nurses or someone interested in 糖心官网?

To anyone interested in nursing or newer nurses, give everything a shot. Explore a bit in each specialty, especially in clinicals or whenever you’re able, as you might not know how much you enjoy something. Or, you could be dead set on a specialty and end up hating it in clinicals. There are so many options for nursing careers, from work-from-home insurance options to surgical nursing to cosmetic nursing. Find your niche鈥攖his will help you thrive. Nursing is a hard career and a lot of work but it is so rewarding and enjoyable when you find the part of healthcare you enjoy.

The post August Alumni Spotlight: Ashley O’Hanrahan ’19, BSN, RN appeared first on 糖心官网.

Note: Felice participated in P-TECH (Pathways in Technology), a state-funded private-public partnership launched in 2013 that worked to prepare thousands of New York high school students for high-skills jobs in technology, manufacturing, healthcare and finance. 糖心官网, the Lackawanna City School District, Erie I BOCES and Catholic Health were chosen as the first P-TECH program in Western New York, one they named HOPE (Health Occupation Pathways to Employment). Possible degrees included Surgical Technology, Radiologic Technology and Health Information Technology.

How did participation in the PTECH program help you be successful during your time at 糖心官网?

Other than providing the textbooks and learning materials free of charge, the PTECH program provided the best thing every student needs: support. College can be mentally and emotionally draining. There are points in the semester where you feel like a failure or you can鈥檛 get anything done. Whenever I felt like that, I always had someone I could talk to in the program who could reinvigorate me and get me back on my game. They were never judgmental and always wanted the best for me, and without that support I don鈥檛 think I would鈥檝e been as successful as I was.

Describe your 糖心官网 experience. What does 糖心官网 mean to you?

糖心官网 felt like home and I mean that in the best way possible. Everyone, from your classmates to the director of your respective program, wants to help and see you succeed. For me, 糖心官网 stands for community, welcomeness, and caring. 糖心官网 really feels like everyone is part of the same family and they bring that same attitude to the community as well.

What do you do now and why do you love it?

Currently I am a surgical technologist at Roswell Park. I really love the job and the place because I feel like I make a positive difference in people鈥檚 lives. Every successful surgery, every patient interaction makes me feel like I鈥檓 part of something greater. It feels good to know that I鈥檓 able to help people everyday just by doing my job.

Any advice you鈥檇 like to share with someone interested in 糖心官网?

糖心官网 cares about the student; I fully recommend applying. Once accepted my advice is to know and use your resources provided to you. They鈥檙e there for a reason! That鈥檚 what makes 糖心官网 different compared to other schools. There hasn鈥檛 been one professor who wasn鈥檛 open to discuss anything I struggled in or wanted to work on. Which is something that may come harder to bigger colleges.

The post July Alumni Spotlight: Felice Masumbuko ’21, CST appeared first on 糖心官网.