School of Health Sciences and Education

Written by Kara Illig SFU’s Nursing Program ranks number one in the nation, a distinction that doesn’t come without merit. Their unique, interprofessional curriculum has resulted in more well-prepared nurses who are entering the field sooner. Receiving a national collegiate ranking of any kind is an academic feat, but the criteria by which the honor is determined far exceeds the prestige of the badge itself. When rncareers.org named the Saint Francis University BSN program as number one in the United States based on the exemplary preparedness of the program’s graduating nurses and first-time

The two-week-old infant screamed in discomfort. Loren Schweiger tightened her embrace and the baby slowly relaxed in her arms. “There, there,” said Loren. “All better.” Loren Schweiger is a “cuddler”. The Saint Francis University senior Healthcare Studies major donates a few hours each week helping console the most hapless victims of the opioid epidemic, newborn babies addicted to drugs, often heroin. “I learned in my Public Health class about the increase in babies born addicted to the drugs that their mothers took. I became emotional and I began to do some research. I found that UPMC in

After graduation, Physician Assistant student, Rebecca Phillips, did what most students do after commencement. She posed for pictures, went out to eat with family, and celebrated with her friends. But what Rebecca did that most students don’t do, is get her first haircut in four years. “When I was in high school I learned of the Pantene Beautiful Lengths campaign and Ioved the idea of turning my hair into wigs for those fighting cancer,” says Rebecca. “I grew my hair out throughout high school and donated it after graduation. I thought I would do the same throughout four years of college.” As

Ten Saint Francis University students, faculty and staff dedicated their time and talents volunteering to help nearly 2,000 patients in need of dental treatments at a weekend-long domestic mission trip in Reading, Pennsylvania this past weekend. The Mission of Mercy in Pennsylvania organization (MOM-n-PA) is a large-scale, two-day dental clinic where treatment is provided to individuals at no cost. Each year, MOM-n-PA travels across the state with their mobile clinic treating under-served dental patients in need of care. The inaugural two-day mission took place in Philadelphia in 2013. Since

Saint Francis University’s first “Become that Someone” Community Engagement Awards & Community Partner Appreciation Breakfast was held on Monday, April 9, 2018, at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Loretto. Lisa Georgiana, Director of the Center for Service and Learning organized the first of what she hopes to be an annual event. “The purpose of the event is to celebrate our community partners, faculty, staff and students who are participating in and initiating community engagement activities and embracing the mission of the University with their hearts for service.” The mission at the

It isn’t a secret that children like to play with toys. You probably had a favorite toy when you were young. It also isn’t a secret that the Saint Francis University’s Toy Lending Library , located in the DiSepio Institute , has been lending toys to local families for years. Since 2009, the program has allowed children the opportunity, for FREE , to engage in play for growth and development. Who organizes the Library and plans the events? Toy Library Ambassadors, that’s who! Toy Ambassador and Occupational Therapy Sophomore, Allie Cummings, tells us about her experience in toy land. What is

Dr. Seuss’s book, Oh, The Places You’ll Go! , is practically a graduation gift requirement. A fun story about discovery and the decision to leave one’s setting and have adventures, experience new people, places, and things. This story rings especially true for Chelsea Esken, who graduated Saint Francis with a Master of Occupational Therapy degree in 2017, and is now in Hutchinson, Kansas working as a Traveling Occupational Therapist. Below, Chelsea discusses the ways the OT Program prepared her for an incredible journey. First off, what is a Traveling Occupational Therapist? Being a Traveling

Saint Francis University's nursing program has been ranked the number one nursing program in Pennsylvania by RegisteredNursing.org . Nursing programs were assessed on several factors, which represent how well a program supports students towards licensure and beyond. Past and present NCLEX-RN “pass-rates” weighted by year, were analyzed for this ranking. Saint Francis University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program recently became the only program in the state to have 100 percent of its graduates pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for the past four consecutive

Saint Francis University hosted the 7th Annual Student Research Day on November 16th in the John F. Kennedy Student Center. Fifty-four posters and four talks were presented by students from all majors. The event gave students an opportunity to showcase and discuss their research with the university community .

Studies have shown that soccer players can run more than seven miles in a single game, but former women's soccer player Paige Butler topped 70.3 combined miles during her second half Ironman in Florida in April (2016). The race consisted of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run. For Paige, the race was not just a way to stay in shape now that her collegiate soccer career is over. Her mission has a higher calling. Last September, just as the Red Flash's season was heating up, Paige received a call that her mother, Sharon, was killed in a drunk driving accident. She was riding