Welcome to the blog of Dr. Shirley Szekeres, Nazareth College's Dean of Health and Human Services. Founded in 1924, Nazareth College is a co-ed college with undergraduate and graduate studies in the liberal arts and sciences, and professional programs in health and human services, education, and management. The College is located near Rochester, New York, and currently enrolls approximately 2,800 students. For more information on the College, visit www.naz.edu.
Here we are at another commencement ceremony in which we usher students across a threshold to a new stage in their life. Many of our faculty have attended more than 20 of these graduation celebrations over the years. It is the time that faculty and students reflect on the educational journey and celebrate accomplishments.
While at Nazareth, students have worked closely with faculty in courses and clinical experiences. The bond that develops from extensive individual mentoring often lasts well beyond graduation. I still keep in touch with students that I taught when I first came to Nazareth in 1991. Watching them grow as professionals has been a real joy for me. Students should never hesitate to let their teachers know how they are doing out there in the real world. We remember our students and love to hear from them.
This year 250 students from the School of Health and Human Services will receive either undergraduate or graduate degrees. It is a special year for our Department of Physical Therapy for they are graduating their first class of students earning the Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree.
Congratulations to our SHHS graduates. I wish you all much success and happiness in the next stage of your life. I know you will be competent, compassionate, and collaborative professionals.
Emilie Felter and Lindsey Gullo, with the support of other therapists and supervisors in the Aphasia Clinic, organized an Experiencing Aphasia Workshop to help families of their clients understand what it may feel like to have communication difficulties. Laura Fitzgerald, a student clinician, described the experience as having to "read, write, listen, and speak under adverse conditions-getting a taste of the feelings associated with having communication problems in everyday life". The successful outcome of the workshop is evident in the comments of one of the participants, "I want to go home and hug my husband right now. I finally understand what aphasia is and what he must be going through."
Merideth Rao, manager of the Aphasia Clinic, believes the experience can have a significant impact not only on families' understanding of aphasia but students' as well. Therefore, prior to serving as clinicians in the Aphasia Clinic, students are required to participate in the workshop. Lauren Hrncirek writing in the Aphasia Clinic Newsletter described her experience as "Upon entering the Aphasia Clinic, my definition of aphasia came from textbooks and teachers..now I realize that just was not enough. Each station at the workshop brought a different feeling and emotion. I felt moments of frustration, sadness, confusion, irritation, and helplessness throughout the different activities. Simple things like writing a check and listening for directions became so hard! It saddened me to think that while I felt this way for just two hours out of my day, there are many people who experience this every minute of every day of their lives. The workshop has helped me walk in the clients' shoes for a few hours and, because of that, I believe I have become a better clinician".
The proposal for an Occupational Therapy Program was sent to an external reviewer two weeks ago. Yesterday we received a very positive report indicating that we had clearly outlined a need for an OT program in the Rochester area and that the curriculum design and evaluation structure were consistent with standards for accreditation. The reviewer judged the program to be a great fit with our other programs in Health and Human Services. The next and final step in the approval process is to submit the proposal to the New York State Education Department and we will be doing that by the end of this week.
All of the faculty and students in HHS are excited about the day when we can add this program to our School. For a number of years, we have felt like we were missing an important part of our interprofessional team.
Considering the number of individuals who are choosing to age in their homes, the need for OT support will be increasing in the coming years. By establishing this program, Nazareth continues its long history of responding to the needs of community.
The Communications Sciences and Disorders Student Association (CSDA) co-sponsored with Golisano Children's Hospital the 3rd annual SMILE dinner at St. John of Rochester school hall in Perinton on Friday March 27. Mary Sweeney, supervisor of the student association, estimated that about 300 people, including many families who had received services at the Cleft and Craniofacial Center, attended the event. The proceeds totaling $2500 will benefit children and adults both here and abroad who are treated by the Cleft and Craniofacial Anomolies Team of Strong Hospital.
Dr. John Girotto, craniofacial team surgeon, Christine Emerson, Nurse Practioner, and Mary Hauk, Pediatric Dentist from the Craniofacial Team were in attendance and marveled at the turnout and work of the students in CSDA. In addition to the dinner, there were crafts, games, and dancing for the children and a raffle for the many donated gift baskets.
The 2 co-chairs, Alysha Mahunek and Hannah Farwell and their cadre of committee workers are to be commended for the outstanding success of the event.
