School of Health Sciences and Education

2025 OT Pinning Ceremony Held

Marie Young, University Communications Manager | 05/29/2025
With warmth, reverence, and a celebration of professional growth, Saint Francis University held its annual Occupational Therapy Pinning Ceremony on May 9, 2025, honoring 25 graduating students as they transition from academic study to clinical practice.

America’s #1 Job Starts Here: Become an NP at Saint Francis University

Mitchell Jubas | 05/27/2025
With job growth projected at 46% and a median salary of $126,260, Nurse Practitioners are in higher demand than ever—filling critical gaps in healthcare nationwide. Saint Francis University’s flexible, affordable Family Nurse Practitioner programs are designed for working nurses, offering 100% online coursework, minimal campus visits, and no GRE/GMAT required. Learn how SFU can help you take the next step in this top-ranked, high-impact career.

Shoulder Expertise Unleashed: Workshop Recap with Survey Highlights!

Andrew Miller | 04/29/2025
Saint Francis University’s Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Departments partnered with Drayer Physical Therapy Institute and University Orthopedics Center to host an engaging, hands-on workshop titled Bridging the Gap Series: Shoulder Dysfunction for 38 students and clinical professionals. The event fostered interprofessional collaboration and practical learning through case studies, virtual cadaver labs, and expert mentorship.

OT Alumni Collaboration

Department of Occupational Therapy | 02/26/2025
Maura (Koshute) Shearman, an OT alumna, identified a unique opportunity to involve our OT students and faculty in improving the functional mobility of her client, Nate, who lives in a rural area where accessible outpatient OT services for custom orthotic device fabrication are unavailable.

Celebrating Our 10-Year Accreditation: A Milestone of Excellence

Dr. Andrew Miller OTR/L, CHT, CFE, ATC/L | 01/24/2025
The Saint Francis University Master of Occupational Therapy program has received a 10-year accreditation status, the highest level of recognition a program can achieve. This prestigious honor reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence in education and the exceptional opportunities we provide to our students.

Junior Nursing Student Andrew Tinker Receives National Student DAISY Award

Mitchell Jubas | 12/03/2024
On November 15, 2024, Andrew Tinker, a junior Saint Francis University BSN student, was recognized with the prestigious Student DAISY Award during a surprise ceremony at UPMC Altoona. This national honor celebrates nursing students who demonstrate extraordinary compassion, care, and commitment to their patients and their families. Andrew’s exceptional contribution to patient care was highlighted by his nominator, a UPMC registered nurse, who witnessed his remarkable dedication firsthand.

Honors Program Profile Isabella Swindell

Written by David Lyttle, Class of 2027 | 12/02/2024
Profile of Honors Student Isabella Swindell: Isabella wants to become a teacher, specializing in early childhood and special education. She credits the honors program for giving her the confidence to realize this dream.

SFU Nursing In the News: Van Zandt offering RN, NP residency programs

University Communications & Marketing | 11/26/2024
Saint Francis University's Department of Nursing is proud to collaborate with the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center to help new nurses thrive in their careers through innovative residency programs designed to give recently graduated RNs and NPs the support, mentorship, and hands-on experience they need to build confidence and stay in the profession.

Unlock the Power of Personalized Blood Flow Restriction Rehabilitation

Mitchell Jubas | 11/19/2024
Join us on March 14, 2025, at Saint Francis University for a one-day course on Personalized Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Rehabilitation. Designed for PTs, PTAs, ATCs, and OTs, this course combines expert education, hands-on practice, and continuing education credits to help you integrate BFR therapy into your practice for better patient outcomes. Register now—space is limited!

An Innovative Approach to Creating a Disaster Simulation

Mitchell Jubas | 11/19/2024
To enhance disaster preparedness in nursing education, an innovative simulation was introduced three years ago as part of the NURS405 Care of Community clinical requirement. Students collaboratively designed and participated in a disaster simulation, taking on roles such as patients, narrators, and triaging nurses. The simulation emphasized critical thinking, resource management, and decision-making under pressure, with a debriefing session to reflect on outcomes. Following this, students transitioned to an ICU simulation, caring for disaster victims and honing their clinical skills. This dual-phase approach improved teamwork, collaboration, and disaster management, preparing students for both community and hospital-based nursing care.