for her. I knew a lot of the faculty and I knew the quality of the
program and also the environment of the University. When the
position became available, it seemed like the perfect fit for me.
The position was the right one for me at the right time.
Healthcare and the mission of the Sisters of Mercy was just a
natural fit. It makes really excellent healthcare providers in
today’s ever-changing healthcare system.
What will you miss most?
What is your favorite memory as Dean?
I’d have to say my favorite memories are the graduations, seeing
the students come into the program and then leave us. My other
favorite memory is hearing from students when they pass their
licensing exam and become registered nurses.
However, there have been a lot of changes in the 17 years I’ve
been here and probably the most significant was becoming the
Frances M. Maguire School of Nursing and Health Professions.
The relationship with Mr. and Mrs. Maguire and The Maguire
Foundation has changed the very nature of the school. The
enhancement of the whole program and the ability to have the
facilities and number of faculty we now have is incredible.
What makes GMercyU’s healthcare programs
unique?
I will miss the faculty the most. I’ve been privileged to work with
outstanding faculty. I have seen young faculty mature and other
faculty retire at the end of their career. It’s been a real privilege
to have those working relationships for 17 years. All that we
accomplished is because of them. I can’t tell you how hard they
worked to accomplish what we did and make the changes we
made. It’s been a real privilege.
What are your retirement plans?
You can find me at Citizens Bank Park rooting on the Phillies and
cheering on the Villanova basketball team. I love sports. I plan
to do some traveling and part-time teaching, nothing full-time.
I’m looking forward to more travel time and spending more time
with my extended family.
I think it’s the history of the Sisters of Mercy who dedicated
themselves particularly to improving the healthcare of this
area and providing healthcare to the poor and underserved,
particularly women and children. The first healthcare program
[at GMercyU] was nursing and then over the years quickly came
others, respiratory care, radiation therapy, and even just two
years ago we established the Occupational Therapy program.
3,695 students graduated
from the Frances M.
Maguire School of Nursing
and Health Professions
since 2001
5
7
4
2015
2014
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing
program became the degree of
licensure, replacing the Associate of
Nursing program.
4
Keiss Hall is renamed Frances
M. Maguire Hall.
New state-of-the-art nursing
facility opened at GMercyU’s
Center City campus.
5
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in
Nursing program introduced
6
2016
New nursing labs and classroom
space opened at GMercyU’s
Bensalem campus.
6
2018
Bachelor of Health Science
in Occupational Science and
Master of Science in Occupational
Therapy began, new lab and classroom
space opened
7
TODAY
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