School of Health Sciences and Education

From the island of Haiti to the pine-covered mountains of Saint Francis University, it has been a long, but fortuitous journey for Wadler Fleurina, MPAS, PA-C, MB (ASCP). Growing up in an orphanage in Haiti, Wadler knew he wanted to work in the medical field.

Nicholas Redden is a 2018 SFU graduate and a physical therapist with the Cleveland Clinic in outpatient sports rehabilitation. Here, the Clearfield County native recounts the path that lead him to Saint Francis and what he’s been up to since graduation.

Dr. Justin Merry , Associate Professor of Biology , Ms. Jen Merry, Assistant Director of Marketing Strategy, and Dr. Tim Bintrim , Professor of English and Environmental Studies , led a delegation of ten student volunteers to MOM-n-PA , the Pennsylvania Dental Mission of Mercy, held at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre June 7-8, 2019. Now in its eighth year, MOM-n-PA is a huge event that serves roughly 1,800 people over two days, each year delivering a million dollars in free dental services to the under-served. Almost all patients either lack dental insurance or are under-insured, and many

Young children develop as they explore their environment. Most are able to independently crawl, roll, scoot, creep, or walk around to explore and learn. When they are unable to do this independently they are at a disadvantage. They are limited to what toys are within reach and are often times stationary and only mobile by means of a caregiver leading the exploration. The Physical Therapy Department at Saint Francis University has a solution. In collaboration with the national organization, GoBabyGo , the university will begin producing ride along, modified battery powered cars for children

The number one ranked nursing program in Pennsylvania by RegisteredNursing.org has achieved yet another milestone. Saint Francis University’s Nursing Program received notice from the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing that their 2018 National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) pass rate was 100 percent. This news makes Saint Francis Nursing the only nursing program in the state to have a 100 percent first-time pass rate for the past five consecutive years. “We are delighted by this accomplishment, and so grateful for all of the time and effort that the faculty, students, and

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