School of Health Sciences and Education

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

Saint Francis University’s Class of 2017 Nursing graduates, who earned their Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing this past May, have already gone on to pass National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). The Nursing Department received word this month that all 15 of the new graduates had passed the exam on their first try. The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing will release the official results in October. “We are so grateful for all of the time and effort that the faculty and students have put forth in achieving such outstanding outcomes. This is our fourth graduating class in a row to

PT major Danielle MacMurtrie blended her love of anatomy and art during her time at Saint Francis University. Danielle MacMurtrie PT, DPT Doctor of Physical Therapy Class of 2016 Employed by HeathSouth Rehab Hospital in Lancaster Physical Therapy at SFU Presidential Inauguration Anatomy Painting Project Q&A with Danielle What sparked your interest in Physical Therapy? How old were you? I was first exposed to physical therapy when I was 13. I sustained a back injury caused by years of gymnastics. I wore a back brace for 2 years and received frequent physical therapy. It was the first career in

Q&A with Danielle What sparked your interest in Physical Therapy? How old were you? I was first exposed to physical therapy when I was 13. I sustained a back injury caused by years of gymnastics. I wore a back brace for 2 years and received frequent physical therapy. It was the first career in which I could picture myself working. I was never interested in being a doctor or a nurse, but after growing up doing gymnastics, being in the PT gym just felt like home. What have you been up to since graduation? HealthSouth Rehab Hospital has been an excellent environment for me to begin my career as a

A First-Year Convocation was held on August 19, and all first-year students were in attendance. The Deans from the Schools at Saint Francis alongside the Provost Wayne Powel, President Father Malachi Van Tassell, T.O.R., current student Gabrielle Beck, and alumna Elisha Fleig processed into the filled auditorium to officially welcome students academically to the University and offer words of wisdom. After a welcome and opening prayer, Fr. Malachi expressed his confidence in the first-year students’ ability to succeed, and current student Gabrielle Beck (double major in psychology and Spanish )

The July issue of Blair Business Mirror featured Kimberly Elter, a recent Saint Francis graduate and current Blair County Chamber of Commerce intern. The article featured in the issue highlighted the experience and unique opportunities Kimberly is gaining as an intern for the Chamber. A well-sought-after destination for internships, the Blair County Chamber of Commerce offers internships in Marketing and Business Administration. Linda Stotler, the Chamber’s Vice President of Communication and Marketing, spearheads the internship program, setting and expecting high standards from the interns