October 3, 2023
PTO - Year End Deadline
Submitted by Sherri Webster
Be sure you use all of our remaining Paid Time Off (PTO) before December 30th. As you head into a busy fall and holiday season, remember: the last day to use 2023 PTO is December 30th and the floating holiday does not roll over, so use it if you haven't already. Exempt associates - your front-loaded PTO carried into 2023 (PH2 Paid Time Off in Workday) will NOT carry over to 2024. You MUST use all PTO in 2023. None will roll over into 2024. If you have questions please contact the Mercy Health Employee Service Center at 877-692-7780.
September Admissions Events
The Admissions Team hosted three virtual recruitment events in September.
Healthcare worker Wednesday- 31 participants attended
High School Counselor Virtual Breakfast was held on Wednesday Sept 27. We had 37 area high school counselors attend a morning virtual event via zoom. We reviewed what is new at Mercy College, discussed shadowing opportunities, scholarships, programs, direct entry seat opportunities, and much more.
On Tuesday Sept 19- we hosted our first ever “Molecules to Medicine: Connecting Science to Healthcare Careers and Beyond.” This virtual information session was specifically for high school science and health teachers. We invited them to join us to learn more about the programs we offer at Mercy College. We discussed the pre-professional pathways a biology student could take at Mercy College as well. Thank you to Dr. Stoos for supporting and presenting with admissions.
Winners Announced
Submitted by Gerald Cameron
The Mission Integration Committee has announced the winners of the Heritage Tea Competition. Each winner will receive a Mercy College sweatshirt from the college store.
Pictured above: Left, Andrea Thatcher (Teacup category); Center, Kandis Rich (Mug category); and Right, Andrea Geisel (travel mug category.)
Emergency Alert
TOMORROW, OCT. 4: There will be a nationwide emergency alert test sent to all TVs, radios, and cell phones at 2:20 p.m. ET.
Important information and what can be expected from the nationwide test: http://fema.gov/press-release/20231003/fema-and-fcc-plan-nationwide-emergency-alert-test-oct-4-test-messages-will…
Alumni & Friends Weekend 2023 Recap
Submitted by Hannah Bohn
Thank you to the over 170 alumni and friends who supported Alumni & Friends Weekend 2023 festivities and to the 55 who joined in person for the Mercy Mile Walk, Mass, and an Awards Lunch on September 23-24. Over $3,750 was raised for the Alumni Association to fund social engagement opportunities for alumni and friends, as well as scholarships for Mercy College students.
Congratulations to the winners of the raffles!
50/50: Joan Rutherford (Mercy College Auxiliary President/Treasurer), who donated her winnings to the Auxiliary and to Community of Hope Free Health Clinic (Formerly That Neighborhood Free Health Clinic)
Cooler Raffle Grand Prize: Elizabeth Marks (Friend of the College)
Cooler Raffle 2nd Place Prize: Alyssa Eureste (2006 graduate of the College)
Limited sizes of Mercy alumni short and long-sleeve shirts remain available for purchase. Contact alumni@mercycollege.edu or text/call 419-863-5520 to place an order.
2023 Distinguished Graduate Award
Submitted by Hannah Bohn
The Distinguished Graduate Award was posthumously presented at the Awards Lunch to Joseph Szczerbiak, a 1972 Mercy School of Nursing graduate. Joseph (known as "Big Joe") completed his nursing career at St. Charles and Riverside Hospitals. He volunteered his nursing expertise at Beulah Beach, a church camp, during summers and weekends throughout the colder months. He also volunteered with FEMA, Nature's Nursery, and at oil refineries. He continued his legacy of care following the loss of his wife, at Westgate Residential Suites where he offered his nursing skills to fellow residents. As one of the first male nurses in his era, Big Joe shattered stereotypes and had a trailblazing spirit.
Pictured is Joseph's family.
Tammy Stansley (Joe’s Daughter) provided a glimpse into who Joe was and his lasting legacy. Her touching tribute is below:
In the face of formidable barriers, my father's venture into nursing was marked by perseverance and resilience. Undeterred by the prevailing norms of his time, he displayed unwavering determination as he applied to numerous nursing schools, only to encounter rejection due to his gender. The absence of male nurses and the traditional separation of dormitories into single-sex spaces posed significant hurdles that the institutions were ill-prepared to address. However, his unwavering commitment found its breakthrough when he was granted acceptance at Mercy School of Nursing. Graduating and earning his license in 1972, he not only triumphed over adversity but also blazed a path for future generations of male nurses, leaving an enduring legacy of courage and determination in the face of adversity.
My father embarked on his nursing career at St. Charles and subsequently transitioned to Riverside. At Riverside, he ascended to the role of Charge Nurse within the ICU/CCU. Known as Big Joe, everyone at Riverside (and throughout the Mercy System) knew his name. His career path then led him to temporarily head the home healthcare division at Upjohn Healthcare and serve as a dialysis nurse at Otterbein Nursing Home, before returning to Riverside Hospital; working there until it closed. He then transitioned to St. Anne's until his retirement.
In addition to working as a nurse, he devoted himself to furthering his education, pursuing a BSN at Lourdes College. Alongside his educational pursuits, he volunteered his nursing expertise at Beulah Beach, a church camp, during summers. He also extended his nursing care to weekend retreats in the colder months, fostering a deep connection with the campers and staff. His involvement as the camp nurse not only brought him joy but also facilitated affordable camp opportunities for his children, a noteworthy aspect given the financial considerations of a nurse's profession. His compassion and commitment extended beyond nursing and into volunteering. He engaged with FEMA as a volunteer to aid in emergencies and participated in Nature's Nursery to rescue distressed animals. Additionally, he contributed to the workforce at oil refineries by facilitating the drug-testing process. His impact as an educator came to fruition as he shared his expertise with upcoming nurses through the hospital and Owens Community College. This teaching role became a deeply gratifying dimension of his career. Beyond the realm of nursing, my father cultivated a diverse range of hobbies. These included camping, hunting, fishing, church volunteering, bowling, drag racing, and showcasing classic cars. An avid culinary enthusiast, he found pleasure in cooking and preparing dishes for hospital potlucks, family, friends, and even strangers. His talent for crafting homemade kielbasa became a cherished family tradition, imparted to his son and grandsons. Following the loss of his wife, he embraced a new chapter residing in Westgate Residential Suites. Here, he continued his legacy of care by offering his nursing skills to fellow residents. His social nature thrived as he made rounds to check on the unwell, measuring blood pressure and extending camaraderie. The community room often found him, ready to share a warm cup of coffee and engage in conversation. In addition to his proficiency in nursing and culinary arts, he showcased a remarkable aptitude for technology. He willingly assisted fellow residents with their devices, be it phones, TVs, tablets, or other electronics, showcasing his tech-savviness.
A true pioneer in the nursing realm, my father shattered stereotypes and blazed an inspiring trail as one of the first male nurses in his era. Undeterred by societal norms, he fearlessly pursued his dream of nursing, challenging deeply ingrained gender roles. His determination not only redefined the perception of nursing as a predominantly female domain but also showcased his unwavering commitment to compassionate care. Through his trailblazing spirit, he proved that dedication, skill, and empathy know no boundaries, leaving an indelible mark on the nursing field and opening doors for future generations of male nurses to follow their aspirations without hesitation.
CEO-Gram
Send a message to the Mercy College President using this link.
-
FormFaculty/Staff Weekly Email Article Submission Form
Fill out the form to submit an article for the following week's Faculty/Staff Newsletter.
View Form