Mercy College to Host Spring 2019 Youngstown Commencement
Forty-two Mercy College of Ohio graduates are eligible to take the stage Monday, May 6 at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown, Ohio to receive their Associate of Science in Nursing diplomas. Many graduates have already secured positions locally.
The ceremony will include the presentation of the Misericordia et Cura Award to Patricia McAllen, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE. This award recognizes individuals who focus on the values which are vital to the healing ministry and by their lives embody the College motto “Misericordia et Cura,” meaning compassion and care. It is the highest honor bestowed by the Mercy College. Dr. McAllen is a Professor and Dean/Chief Operations Officer Of Youngstown.
About Dr. McAllen
Dr. McAllen's experience as a staff nurse and staff development at St. Elizabeth Health Center and teaching at St Elizabeth Hospital School of Nursing, Youngstown State University, and Kent State University led her to her leadership role at Mercy College of Ohio, Youngstown location.
She has led the Youngstown Site since its inception in 2002. In her current role as the Director of the Associate of Science in Nursing Program and campus chief operating officer, Dr. McAllen is dedicated to the success of students, faculty, and staff. She uses humor and kindness while maintaining high standards and expectations, which are always built on her commitment to the utilization of evidence-based practice. She has received the professional honors of Excellence in Teaching from Sigma Theta Tau, Excellence in Chapter Service from Sigma Theta Tau, nominated for the Youngstown Chamber of Commerce Athena Award in 2004 and was appointed as an Ambassador for the National League of Nursing in 2011.
Dr. McAllen has selected faculty who are passionate about nursing and enthusiastic about imparting this knowledge to the next generation of registered nurses. Many Mercy College faculty have had the honor of her instruction in the classroom and on clinical. Dr. McAllen maintains an open-door policy for faculty, staff, and students. She has been fully supportive of all aspects of their lives. Her life’s passion has been to educate caring and excellent nurses to continue the healing ministry of Jesus.
About the Commencement Speaker
Kathleen Harley, MBA, BSN, President, Mercy Health St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital
Kathleen M. Harley began her employment with Bon Secours Mercy Health in January of 2019 in the role of President of St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, a Level 1 Trauma Center and Primary Stroke Center. Prior to her current position, she served as Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of Surgical and Procedural Services at Heritage Valley Health System in Western Pennsylvania. During her time at Heritage Valley Health, Kathy also led the Wound Care Center, Department of Cardiology and Nuclear Medicine Services, Maternal/Child Health, Radiology, and Employed Physician Practices. Kathy also served in a Surgical Services Administrative role for two Ohio hospital systems. Kathy’s clinical expertise is in intensive care and the operating room as an operating room educator, which gives her an extensive background on which to draw.
Kathy holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Youngstown State University, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Penn State University and an RN Diploma from Trumbull Memorial Hospital. She has formerly served on the Board of Directors for the Greater Pittsburgh Orthopedic Association and the Board of Directors for the Women’s Center of Beaver County. She currently serves on the Youngstown Cityscape Board of Directors.