Featured Articles
Former Valpo Student-Athletes Combat COVID-19 as Frontline Workers
In the months since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, former Valparaiso University student-athletes working in the medical field across the country have gone beyond the expected in their efforts to combat the virus and treat patients in need of their care. Numerous former Valpo student-athletes transitioned from their normal areas of medical expertise to assist on COVID-19 units and worked additional hours to help the fight against the virus. Tristan De La Rosa ’18 serves as an emergency-room nurse in Garden Grove, California at the biggest trauma hospital in Orange County, located next to Disneyland. The former Valpo football player has worked at least four shifts per week since the beginning of March, including 10 16-hour shifts. At one point, he worked 11 shifts consecutively. “At the height of the pandemic, our whole hospital was maxed out, so we had to hold patients in the ER,” De La Rosa…
Trading the Classroom for the Front Lines
In 2020, Jessica Glinski ’22 DNP answered the call to take a leave of absence from the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program at Valparaiso University to serve on the front lines of the pandemic with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This sacrifice was a difficult decision, but it proved as educational — and perhaps even more impactful — as time in the classroom for Jessica. Jessica originally signed up as a volunteer with FEMA in 2012 after returning from serving as an E4 medic in the military during two wars. Her first and only deployment with the organization prior to the pandemic was during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. When the COVID-19 pandemic first raged across the United States in the spring of 2020, the Kouts, Indiana, native found herself wishing she could do more. Jessica is constantly learning and challenging herself to better care…
Occupational Ambition
Sara Walters ’21 MOT, LOTR, BCP, is the first student to enroll in Valparaiso University’s doctor of occupational therapy program. Thanks to career advancement and outstanding networking, Sara found Valpo’s program to fit her life as a working professional while moving her closer to her dreams. As an instructor of occupational therapy at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Sara is juggling her full-time job, growing family, and continuing education through Valpo’s post-professional doctor of occupational therapy program. Sara has been able to balance her workload and maximize focus and understanding with each topic throughout her studies thanks to the program’s design and emphasis on flexibility. “The live, online meeting format for classes has been extremely helpful for me as a working professional,” Sara says. “Depending on the students’ availability, a course time is selected — usually evening — and Professor Scott is available for appointments during…
Nursing Powerful Connections
Jordan Anderson ’17, RN, is confident her time at Valpo helped her discern the path to her future as a nurse practitioner. Now back in her hometown of Rochester, Minnesota, Jordan is a floor nurse with hospice patients at St. Mary’s Hospital, part of the Mayo Clinic system, while she completes graduate school to become a nurse practitioner. Her interest in pursuing a career as a nurse practitioner came during Jordan’s time at Valpo. “I had a dream that my great-grandparents were sitting at a table talking about me and what I was supposed to do,” Jordan says. “The next day I had a home care clinical and I went to a patient’s home with the nurse I was shadowing. Her blood pressure was really low, so we called an ambulance for her. While we waited for it to arrive, I was holding her hand and talking her through the…
The Pursuit of Quality
When making plans for the future, Logan Trento ’19 BHCL, ’20 MHA, is dreaming big. After receiving his bachelor’s in health care leadership from Valparaiso University, Logan immediately dove into the master of health administration program to further develop his passion for helping others through quality in health care. Logan discovered the field of quality, a health administration specialty involving creative problem solving and interacting with many levels and designations within the health care field, while pursuing health care leadership as an undergraduate. He realized this field would combine his strengths in leadership and creativity, while allowing him to help others on a larger scale. “A big part of my brain focuses on finding a lot of solutions and challenging everything. Quality forces me to be creative and constructive to navigate obstacles and discover new processes,” Logan says. During 2020, Logan completed an internship at Northwest Health Porter, formerly Porter…
Public Health Graduates Aid in Pandemic
The public health program recently celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of students, who have all found employment or enrolled in graduate school since their graduation. Many in the Class of 2020 were able to help in public health efforts surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic by working as contact tracers, such as Ty Snarr ’20 and Connor Martin ’20. Ty spent the summer calling close contacts for those who tested positive for COVID-19 in his hometown in Clinton County, Ohio. In this role, he witnessed the impact of his degree during a global pandemic. Connor, a double major in public health and sociology, had been accepted to attend graduate school at IUPUI and wanted to become familiar with the area before he began his studies. He began contact tracing for the state of Indiana so that he could have first-hand experience working in a pandemic response before starting his master…
Celebrating Valpo’s First MSPA Class
In September, Valparaiso University’s graduating master of science in physician assistant studies students were honored in a white coat ceremony that recognized their accomplishments and signified their entrance into the health care field. Nineteen students comprised the first cohort of the five-year program that they began in 2015. After finishing their clinical rotations in seven core disciplines this past year, graduates followed their passions through roles in many health professions. Several graduates accepted positions in Northwest Indiana to increase access to health care in the region. Megan McDaniel ’18, ’20 M.S. is employed at Beacon Medical Group Gynecologic Oncology in South Bend, Indiana. Amelia Schroeder ’18, ’20 M.S. is working in pulmonology and critical care at Chest Disease Associates in Merrillville, Indiana. John Kern ’18, ’20 M.S. works at Mullally Sports and Family Medicine in Crown Point, Indiana. Congratulations to the entire inaugural cohort of Valpo MSPA students!
A Flexible Future
Health science at Valparaiso University allows students the flexibility to explore many career paths or graduate school programs, both clinical and non-clinical, by providing a foundation of interdisciplinary knowledge. Many students, like Joseph “Joey” Hess III ’20 and Gianna Prucha ’21, study health science due to its direct admittance into the master of science in physician assistant studies program, but they discover a future-affirming undergraduate program in the process. “After looking into different programs, I knew I wanted to pursue a profession that was more focused on the human connection,” Joey says. “I like the hands-on approach that health science offers and the ability to spend more time with patients as a physician assistant.” After researching other programs, Gianna’s decision to study health science at Valpo was an easy one. “You can’t find a program like Valpo’s anywhere else,” Gianna says. “I didn’t know health science was a degree until…
A New Career Accelerated
Hala Filipowicz ’20 spent just 15 months in Valparaiso University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions, but its mission made a lasting impression on how she viewed her role in the medical field. “I don’t have to hold a doctorate to pursue great opportunities in health care like nursing,” Hala says. “I’m able to work with many populations of patients and serve real needs in communities.” While she admitted the accelerated nursing program presented challenges, Hala found a silver lining through the discovery of a career. “I had to put a lot of effort into those 15 months, but I was surrounded by supportive peers and faculty members along the way,” Hala says. “Even though it’s hard, it’s worth it. The challenging, yet safe, learning environment prepares students for a high-stress career in nursing. Working in a hospital is a completely new life, but I feel like I was prepared…
All News
Former Valpo Student-Athletes Combat COVID-19 as Frontline Workers
In the months since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, former Valparaiso University student-athletes working in the medical field across the country have gone beyond the expected in their efforts to combat the virus and treat patients in need of their care. Numerous former Valpo student-athletes transitioned from their normal areas of medical expertise to assist on COVID-19 units and worked additional hours to help the fight against the virus. Tristan De La Rosa ’18 serves as an emergency-room nurse in Garden Grove, California at the biggest trauma hospital in Orange County, located next to Disneyland. The former Valpo football player has worked at least four shifts per week since the beginning of March, including 10 16-hour shifts. At one point, he worked 11 shifts consecutively. “At the height of the pandemic, our whole hospital was maxed out, so we had to hold patients in the ER,” De La Rosa…
Trading the Classroom for the Front Lines
In 2020, Jessica Glinski ’22 DNP answered the call to take a leave of absence from the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program at Valparaiso University to serve on the front lines of the pandemic with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This sacrifice was a difficult decision, but it proved as educational — and perhaps even more impactful — as time in the classroom for Jessica. Jessica originally signed up as a volunteer with FEMA in 2012 after returning from serving as an E4 medic in the military during two wars. Her first and only deployment with the organization prior to the pandemic was during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. When the COVID-19 pandemic first raged across the United States in the spring of 2020, the Kouts, Indiana, native found herself wishing she could do more. Jessica is constantly learning and challenging herself to better care…
Occupational Ambition
Sara Walters ’21 MOT, LOTR, BCP, is the first student to enroll in Valparaiso University’s doctor of occupational therapy program. Thanks to career advancement and outstanding networking, Sara found Valpo’s program to fit her life as a working professional while moving her closer to her dreams. As an instructor of occupational therapy at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Sara is juggling her full-time job, growing family, and continuing education through Valpo’s post-professional doctor of occupational therapy program. Sara has been able to balance her workload and maximize focus and understanding with each topic throughout her studies thanks to the program’s design and emphasis on flexibility. “The live, online meeting format for classes has been extremely helpful for me as a working professional,” Sara says. “Depending on the students’ availability, a course time is selected — usually evening — and Professor Scott is available for appointments during…
Nursing Powerful Connections
Jordan Anderson ’17, RN, is confident her time at Valpo helped her discern the path to her future as a nurse practitioner. Now back in her hometown of Rochester, Minnesota, Jordan is a floor nurse with hospice patients at St. Mary’s Hospital, part of the Mayo Clinic system, while she completes graduate school to become a nurse practitioner. Her interest in pursuing a career as a nurse practitioner came during Jordan’s time at Valpo. “I had a dream that my great-grandparents were sitting at a table talking about me and what I was supposed to do,” Jordan says. “The next day I had a home care clinical and I went to a patient’s home with the nurse I was shadowing. Her blood pressure was really low, so we called an ambulance for her. While we waited for it to arrive, I was holding her hand and talking her through the…
The Pursuit of Quality
When making plans for the future, Logan Trento ’19 BHCL, ’20 MHA, is dreaming big. After receiving his bachelor’s in health care leadership from Valparaiso University, Logan immediately dove into the master of health administration program to further develop his passion for helping others through quality in health care. Logan discovered the field of quality, a health administration specialty involving creative problem solving and interacting with many levels and designations within the health care field, while pursuing health care leadership as an undergraduate. He realized this field would combine his strengths in leadership and creativity, while allowing him to help others on a larger scale. “A big part of my brain focuses on finding a lot of solutions and challenging everything. Quality forces me to be creative and constructive to navigate obstacles and discover new processes,” Logan says. During 2020, Logan completed an internship at Northwest Health Porter, formerly Porter…
Public Health Graduates Aid in Pandemic
The public health program recently celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of students, who have all found employment or enrolled in graduate school since their graduation. Many in the Class of 2020 were able to help in public health efforts surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic by working as contact tracers, such as Ty Snarr ’20 and Connor Martin ’20. Ty spent the summer calling close contacts for those who tested positive for COVID-19 in his hometown in Clinton County, Ohio. In this role, he witnessed the impact of his degree during a global pandemic. Connor, a double major in public health and sociology, had been accepted to attend graduate school at IUPUI and wanted to become familiar with the area before he began his studies. He began contact tracing for the state of Indiana so that he could have first-hand experience working in a pandemic response before starting his master…
Celebrating Valpo’s First MSPA Class
In September, Valparaiso University’s graduating master of science in physician assistant studies students were honored in a white coat ceremony that recognized their accomplishments and signified their entrance into the health care field. Nineteen students comprised the first cohort of the five-year program that they began in 2015. After finishing their clinical rotations in seven core disciplines this past year, graduates followed their passions through roles in many health professions. Several graduates accepted positions in Northwest Indiana to increase access to health care in the region. Megan McDaniel ’18, ’20 M.S. is employed at Beacon Medical Group Gynecologic Oncology in South Bend, Indiana. Amelia Schroeder ’18, ’20 M.S. is working in pulmonology and critical care at Chest Disease Associates in Merrillville, Indiana. John Kern ’18, ’20 M.S. works at Mullally Sports and Family Medicine in Crown Point, Indiana. Congratulations to the entire inaugural cohort of Valpo MSPA students!
A Flexible Future
Health science at Valparaiso University allows students the flexibility to explore many career paths or graduate school programs, both clinical and non-clinical, by providing a foundation of interdisciplinary knowledge. Many students, like Joseph “Joey” Hess III ’20 and Gianna Prucha ’21, study health science due to its direct admittance into the master of science in physician assistant studies program, but they discover a future-affirming undergraduate program in the process. “After looking into different programs, I knew I wanted to pursue a profession that was more focused on the human connection,” Joey says. “I like the hands-on approach that health science offers and the ability to spend more time with patients as a physician assistant.” After researching other programs, Gianna’s decision to study health science at Valpo was an easy one. “You can’t find a program like Valpo’s anywhere else,” Gianna says. “I didn’t know health science was a degree until…
Health Care and Advocacy in Action
Fueled by witnessing under-resourced communities and the impact of poverty on health care access while growing up on the South Side of Chicago, Lem Cartman ’22 sought a way to effect change in marginalized communities. This passion was the catalyst to Lem’s decision to attend Valparaiso University, and has fueled every aspect of his experience — from campus involvement to his recent summer internship and advocating for his community. The 15th of 17 children and the first in his family to go to college, Lem was thoughtful when considering where to study. He took time to consider input from all his family members. After a visit to Valpo, Lem knew he could connect with professors, pursue his passion for serving others, and be more than just a number. He was nervous at first, but nerves quickly faded as he realized his decision opened endless academic and extracurricular opportunities. Lem has…
Transformative Experience as a Public Health Major
Valpo’s College of Nursing and Health Professions launched its public health program in recognition of the critical importance of health and in response to a growing demand for public health professionals in the region and across the nation. The bachelor of science in public health program enrolled its first class fall 2016, with more than half anticipated to begin the streamlined, accelerated 5-year (4+1) program fall 2019, allowing them to pursue their master’s while completing their bachelor’s degree. Originally from Wilmington, Ohio, Ty Snarr ’20 is a member of the inaugural cohort of students pursuing their bachelor’s in public health at Valpo. But public health wasn’t always the plan for Ty, who anticipated his fascination with populations and geography combined with his interest in health care would find him on the pre-med track as an undergraduate. “One day my grandpa told me about public health and how the field views…
RN-BSN Program Further Reimagined with New Program Director
This fall Joseph Zart, RN, BSN, MSN, CNE, clinical assistant professor of nursing, assumed the role of program director of the RN-BSN program. Professor Zart joined the College of Nursing and Health Professions faculty in 2013 equipped with more than 25 years of experience in the health care industry, predominately in leadership positions in psychiatric and mental health nursing. “I have enjoyed all jobs in my nursing career, but Valparaiso University has been the most fulfilling and rewarding job I have ever had,” Professor Zart says. “I accepted this position as I like new challenges and want to build enrollment and increase retention of students in the program. Research reveals that higher percentages of BSN nurses translates to improved patient outcomes. I want to assist in developing those BSN-prepared nurses.” Originally developed more than 30 years ago, Valpo’s RN-BSN program was reimagined in 2016 in response to an increased demand…
Valpo Fuels Future of Health Care Leadership Graduate
Less than a decade ago, Ryan Singh ’15, ’18 MBA decided to embark on his collegiate journey, more than 1,300 miles from home, at Valparaiso University. Originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Ryan chose Valpo due to its strength academically combined with the opportunity to play Division 1 athletics as a member of the football team. He successfully balanced the challenges of a rigorous academic schedule with the massive responsibility of being a student-athlete, building within himself perseverance, work ethic, and leadership skills that have driven him into his future. “Valpo taught me the value of relationships and broadened my wisdom,” Ryan says. “I was met with warm and caring people who taught me how to instill morals and values in my life.” At Valpo, Ryan obtained his bachelor of science in health care leadership and furthered his education through receipt of his master of business administration. Ryan found the health…
College of Nursing and Health Professions Expands Spring Break Opportunities
From long-standing trips to Thailand, Chile, and Costa Rica and Nicaragua to more recently launched travels to China, Germany, and Ireland, the College of Nursing and Health Professions offers extensive cultural experiences and experiential learning opportunities abroad during Spring Break. This March, thanks to new faculty member Roberto Fadda, M.D., DDS, clinical associate professor in physician assistant studies, the CONHP launched a trip to Italy. Students immersed themselves in Italian culture and history and observed the Italian health care system firsthand. Currently, Professor Fadda teaches pathophysiology and clinical medicine. No matter the topic, his focus is on presenting concepts rather than a list of notions for his students to memorize. His ultimate goal is for his students to leave his classroom with knowledge of the underlying processes of diseases and their significance. Valpo students benefit both from Professor Fadda’s teaching experience and his comprehensive experience as a practicing physician, radiologist,…
Valparaiso University Introduces Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctoral Degree
Valpo’s College of Nursing and Health Professions will expand its degree offerings with the development of an online, post-professional, occupational therapy, doctoral program, available to students in summer 2019. “We are excited to offer an online, occupational therapy doctorate to professionals currently working in the field who are seeking that important additional credential,” said Mark L. Biermann, Ph.D., provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “This program builds on a strong legacy of success in health care education at Valparaiso University and continues our commitment to providing student-focused, market-driven academic programs that lead to lifelong success.” Valparaiso University has been a leader in higher education since 1859. Over the past several years, the College of Nursing and Health Professions has significantly expanded their program offerings with the first doctor of nursing practice in the state of Indiana, along with accelerated master’s programs in physician assistant studies, public health and…
Inside Look into Public Health at Valpo
The College of Nursing and Health Professions’ interdisciplinary bachelor of science in public health program was designed to increase the public health workforce — those promoting health and preventing disease in individuals, families, and communities — both domestically and abroad. This program enrolled its first class fall 2016. Individualized student attention; ability to work and do research alongside faculty mentors, both domestically and globally, as an undergraduate student; and the design of the curriculum are benefits that set Valpo’s program apart and ensure student success. The public health curriculum gives students the ability to enter into the field as a generalist and later decide upon an area of specialization. Students take a wide variety of courses that provide foundational knowledge required of public health professionals and engage early in partnerships with organizations seeking to develop public health care programs, which is largely what they will do upon graduation. In a…