Nursing & Health Sciences

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Instructional space yields informative tour for state legislators

The college's newest (and most lifelike) medical mannequin is introduced by Christopher T. Boyer (left), director of paramedic technology programs, and Sandra L. Richmond (right), dean of nursing and health sciences. Getting a closer look are (from right) Sens. Yaw, Phillips-Hill and Ward – a registered nurse. — The college’s newest (and most lifelike) medical mannequin is introduced by Christopher T. Boyer (left), director of paramedic technology programs, and Sandra L. Richmond (right), dean of nursing and health sciences. Getting a closer look are (from right) Sens. Yaw, Phillips-Hill and Ward – a registered nurse.

Bradley M. Webb, assistant dean of industrial, computing and engineering technologies, explained the processes taught in three of the college's plastics labs: thermoforming, blow-molding and rotational molding. First stop? Thermoforming, where Webb shows how clamshell packaging is produced. — Bradley M. Webb, assistant dean of industrial, computing and engineering technologies, explained the processes taught in three of the college’s plastics labs: thermoforming, blow-molding and rotational molding. First stop? Thermoforming, where Webb shows how clamshell packaging is produced.

A pair of first-term state senators visited Penn College on Thursday, stopping by several academic areas in the School of Nursing & Health Sciences and the School of Industrial, Engineering & Computing Technologies. The tour, abbreviated by a stormy forecast (but no less valuable), took Sens. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) and Judy Ward (R-Altoona) to nursing, dental hygiene and three labs in the college’s ABET-accredited plastics program. Also on the tour were President Davie Jane Gilmour; state Sen. Gene Yaw, chairman of the college’s board of directors; Michael J. Reed, vice president for academic operations/associate provost; Patrick Marty, chief of staff and assistant to the president for college relations; Zack Moore, vice president for government and community relations at Penn State; Jon Hopcraft, chief of staff to Phillips-Hill; and Senate photographer Christopher J. Guerrisi.

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Career Day sets middle schoolers’ sights on tomorrow

Led by Franklin H. Reber, instructor of building construction technology, and students, Career Day visitors create concrete stepping stones.

College employees rallied to provide nearly 40 educational sessions for middle schoolers from across the region who visited campus on Monday for the college’s twice-a-year Career Day. Facilitated by the college’s College Transitions Office, the event provided 1,267 students with opportunities to explore a wide variety of careers in each of the college’s six academic schools. Visitors included 13 schools and home-schooled students.

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And they’re off: 900+ job-ready examples of Penn College Pride!

Abigail S. Way, graduating with a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene: health policy and administration concentration, has a smile as bright as her future.

Pennsylvania College of Technology held the Triple Crown of commencement ceremonies May 17-18 for more than 900 students who petitioned to graduate following the Spring 2019 semester. The Friday afternoon proceedings at the Community Arts Center honored students from the School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies and the School of Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications. Saturday morning featured The School of Construction & Design Technologies and the School of Health Sciences, while students from the School of Business & Hospitality and the School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies graduated during the afternoon session. Student speakers were Hannah G. Maize, of Riverside, who received a bachelor’s degree in plastics and polymer engineering technology on Friday; Lauren S. Herr, of Lititz, awarded a bachelor’s in construction management at Saturday morning’s session; and David A. Gadalla, of Mechanicsburg, who received a bachelor’s degree in aviation maintenance technology in the weekend’s final ceremony. The college also bestowed three teaching honors – the Veronica M. Muzic Master Teacher Award and two Excellence in Teaching Awards – as well as three alumni awards.

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College employees recognized in end-of-semester tradition

Award recipients at a Penn College Employee Recognition event are (from left) Brenda M. Kline, Distinguished Staff (Classified); Janet L. McDermott, Distinguished Staff (Regular Part-Time); Becky J. Shaner, Distinguished Staff (Administrative, Professional and Technical); Elizabeth S. Gizenski, Excellence in Academic Advising; and Mary Jo DeVinney, Distinguished Staff (Service).

Pennsylvania College of Technology celebrated the contributions and commitment of its staff and faculty during an Employee Recognition Week gathering on May 16.

As part of an all-college meeting to end the spring semester, President Davie Jane Gilmour presented Distinguished Staff, Excellence in Academic Advising and Outstanding Assessment awards, as well as recognizing retirees, members of the Quarter Century Club, and employees hitting the 30- and 35-year plateaus during the 2018-19 academic year.

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Wide-ranging tour enlightens state Senate committee chairs

Haywood marvels at the breathing chest of a "patient" in the School of Nursing & Health Sciences, where Dean Sandra L. Richmond (left) explained the simulation aids available to nursing students.

A bipartisan group of state legislators, all present for President Davie Jane Gilmour’s budget request to the Senate Appropriations Committee in February, got a follow-up look at Penn College during a trip to main campus on Tuesday. Touring a number of instructional labs with Sen. Gene Yaw (chairman of the college’s board of directors), administrators, faculty and staff were Sen. Art Haywood (D-Cheltenham), minority chair of the Health and Human Services Committee; Sen. Thomas H. Killion (R-Middletown), who chairs the Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee; Sen. Daniel Laughlin (R-Erie), chair of the Game and Fisheries Committee; and Sen. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia), minority chairman of the Banking and Insurance Committee. Along for the visit were H. Fred Walker, director of Erie County Technical School; Kendall Alexander, Haywood’s communications director; and three members of Street’s staff: policy assistant Micah Mahjoubian, legislative aide Angel Betancourt and special assistant Kenneth Carter. Some members of the Senate contingent, who collectively represent highly populated areas from Erie in the northwest to Philadelphia in the southeast corner of the commonwealth, also enjoyed lunch in Le Jeune Chef Restaurant.

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Penn College dedicates Wellsboro instructional facility

Gathered during dedication ceremonies for the new Penn College at Wellsboro facility are (from left) Steven P. Johnson, president of UPMC Susquehanna; Davie Jane Gilmour, president of Pennsylvania College of Technology; state Sen. Gene Yaw, chairman of the Penn College Board of Directors; and Janie Hilfiger, president, UPMC Susquehanna Soldiers + Sailors and UPMC Cole.

WELLSBORO – A facility gifted to Pennsylvania College of Technology by UPMC Susquehanna is serving a new purpose as a site for instruction in practical nursing, medical assistant and other health care careers, as well as customized training for business and industry.

The 8,400-square-foot Penn College at Wellsboro facility, located at 22 Walnut St., was formally dedicated today in ceremonies that included members of the Penn College community, representatives of UPMC, elected officials and stakeholders, and others.

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Student, grad promote dental hygiene program

Gearhart (left) and Harkins team up for dental hygiene.

Second-year student Hailey A. Gearhart joined forces with 1992 alumna Michele D. (Heitsenrether) Harkins on Friday to represent the Penn College dental hygiene program at a Philipsburg-Osceola High School career fair. During the event, the duo interacted with approximately 100 prospective students from grades 9-12.
Photo provided

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Role-playing students get perspective on patients’ real-life struggles

A simulated family meets and plans between “weeks.” From left are students Kaitlin L. Andersen, of Mastic, N.Y.; Matthew W. Stillman, of Kennett Square; and Sarah E. Boehnlein, of Lewisburg; and Brittany Fischer, United Way’s vice president for community action.

Nursing students participated in a simulation in April that made them think about the choices they would make – and that many of their future patients will face – given the constraints of poverty.

During a “poverty simulation,” created by Missouri Community Action Network, students in a Community Health Nursing course were assigned to families with specified incomes and adhered to several rules: spending seven minutes of each 15-minute week at work (if they were employed); making sure children were cared for; paying for transportation to get to any destination; keeping their home secure and their utilities on; making loan payments; and providing adequate food, clothing and health care for their dependents.

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Student nurses host successful cancer fundraiser

In addition to hosting the benefit, SNA members staff the auction table.

The Student Nurses’ Association teamed up with six other campus organizations and Student Activities to raise about $1,800 at Tuesday’s “Penn College for a Cure” cancer benefit walk. Joining SNA in the successful collaboration were Circle K, PC Alliance, the Penn College Construction Association, Omega Delta Sigma and Phi Mu Delta fraternities, and Wildcat Events Board. The groups organized a full slate of fun: painting, pies in the face, ladder golf, cornhole, a silent auction – even human whack-a-mole! The American Cancer Society’s Ellen Bokeko helped facilitate the event, coordinating a guest speaker who lost a young daughter to the disease.

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SimMan to retire, clearing path for next-gen successor

Seventeen years. Fifteen-hundred students. Four different homes. Countless exams. He’s seen it all. And now SimMan is ready to retire. He’s going to be missed by his Penn College family, but the days of worry-free retirement are calling. “I have helped so many students prepare to treat patients leading into their successful health care careers,” SimMan said in his exit interview. “However, my job here is done. It is time for the next generation in the SimMan family, 3G, to provide a new level of simulation!” With gratitude for his Penn College career, celebrated in a YouTube video with “co-star” Samantha M. Weaver, learning laboratory coordinator for nursing education, the soon-to-be-retiree issued a parting request: “Please make a gift today, so our students can continue to succeed in a field of such high demand. Your support will help us to move to the next level of preparedness as we bring this new member of the SimMan family to campus.”

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Spring 2019 Commencement set for May 17-18

Pennsylvania College of Technology will hold three Spring 2019 Commencement ceremonies May 17-18 at the Community Arts Center, Williamsport.

Three commencement ceremonies will be offered May 17-18 for the 950 students who have petitioned to graduate following the Spring 2019 semester at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

All of the ceremonies will be held at the Community Arts Center, 220 W. Fourth St., Williamsport, with more than 800 students expected to march.

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Sigma Theta Tau nursing honor society chapter established

Officers and new inductees celebrate after a chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing was officially chartered at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Bachelor of Science Nursing Honor Society was officially chartered as a chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International during a ceremony on the college’s campus on April 12.

Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing was founded in 1922. The founders chose its name for the Greek words storgé, tharsos and timé, meaning love, courage and honor.

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Mock crisis authentically adds to interdisciplinary preparedness

Samer R. Doss, a PA student from Montoursville, listens to the heartbeat of dental hygiene student Megan P. Fitzsimmons, of Portville, N.Y.

Students from Penn College’s School of Nursing & Health Sciences and School of Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications joined area law enforcement, emergency management and health care professionals in a recent simulation at UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport Regional Medical Center and a variety of other locations.

The college’s paramedic program has participated in the drill since its inception, and this year, the School of Nursing & Health Sciences decided to participate schoolwide to provide an interdisciplinary learning opportunity. The school had conducted its own Interdisciplinary Professional Experience on campus for several years.

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Helping & Healing: People skills make an impact

Nursing instructor Tushanna M. Habalar (in white), leads students in inserting an IV into “SimMan,” an electronically controlled patient simulator.

During a flu shot clinic on campus, physician assistant student Savanna R. Stauffer, '17, draws a dose of the vaccine into a syringe. — During a flu shot clinic on campus, physician assistant student Savanna R. Stauffer, ’17, draws a dose of the vaccine into a syringe.

From the Spring 2019 Penn College Magazine: Personal health, passion and empathy are key for employees in health and human services professions to effectively care for others. Read Helping and Healing.

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Beneficent college crew continues ‘pay it forward’ tradition

The crew of helpers: Front row (from left): dental hygiene students Hailey A. Gearhart, of Phillipsburg; Kaeli A. Plezia, of Sellersville; Taylor E. Allison, of Allport; Emily N. Renninger, of East Greenville; Jordyn M. Kahler, of York; and Megan P. Fitzsimmons, of Portville, N.Y., with Nolan Strouse. Back row (from left): dental hygiene student Pavel Dariychuk, of Leola, with Derek W. Baldwin, a physician assistant studies student, Barbara K. Emert-Strouse, Robert Strouse and Scott Neff II, ’16. Also helping was dental hygiene student Christina M. Kiessling, of Muncy.

For the ninth year, faculty member Barbara K. Emert-Strouse, assistant professor of dental hygiene, and her family, joined by several dental hygiene students, provided a “pay it forward” dinner at Christ Episcopal Church on Mulberry Street. The group served around 180 diners with a menu of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, Jell-O with fruit, and cake. They also offered free toothbrushes and toothpaste. The church serves a free “First Saturday” community dinner each month, and the family – including sons Scott L. Neff II, a 2016 culinary arts and systems graduate, and Derek W. Baldwin, a physician assistant studies student – provides one of those monthly dinners each spring. The April 6 dinner and the Penn College crew helping to serve it were featured on WBRE.
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