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Featured Video
Learn How We Are Shaping Tomorrow's Healthcare Leaders
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Discover how our College of Health is preparing the next generation of compassionate, innovative healthcare professionals.
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Living the Mission
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Leading with Jesuit Values in Healthcare: Dr. Mike Anderson '86
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Dr. Mike Anderson '86
Principal at WittKieffer | Senior Advisor, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services
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In today's complex healthcare environment, leadership demands more than technical expertise—it calls for values that guide decision-making, foster resilience, and inspire teams. Few embody this better than Dr. Mike Anderson '86, Principal at WittKieffer and Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For him, the Jesuit principle of Cura Personalis—care for the whole person—has been a constant compass.
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"The Jesuits and their teaching have become more and more impactful as my career has advanced. Supporting your team and truly being a person for others, that wind in the sails becomes even more important in leadership."
— Dr. Mike Anderson '86
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Amid today’s challenges—tight margins, workforce burnout, even workplace violence—Dr. Anderson argues that ethics must anchor every leader. “Leaders must ask themselves: Am I really doing something for the greater good? Am I trying to find God in all things? This is the time to really have Jesuit-trained professionals, because the values we espouse—seeking the greater good, caring for others, finding God in all things—are critical to facing these challenges.”
For those aspiring to lead in healthcare, Dr. Anderson offers three clear lessons: master your craft and excel as a clinician, dedicate energy to developing leadership skills like emotional intelligence and active listening, and never lose sight of the joy and meaning that comes from patient care.
Mentorship, too, has shaped his journey. He recalls the lessons of empathetic listening and effective communication he learned from Dr. Jackie Schmidt’s classes at John Carroll. “If you can’t communicate with patients, families, and teams, you won’t be as effective as a physician or leader,” he reflected.
Four decades after graduating from John Carroll, the message remains urgent. “There’s never been a more important time for Jesuit-trained, Jesuit-inspired leaders in healthcare,” Dr. Anderson said. “The time is now for Jesuit leaders to thrive.”
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Upcoming Events
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Mark your calendars for these important College of Health events. Join us for engaging professional development, networking, and learning opportunities.
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HPAC Information Session Monday
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November 3, 2025
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The Office of Pre-Health Professions is seeking willing alumni to volunteer as HPAC committee interviewers. The Health Professions Advisory Council (HPAC) process allows students to receive crucial feedback and preparation for various professional school programs (medical school, dental school, anesthesiology assistant programs, etc.).
Upon completion of this process, students receive a committee recommendation letter that helps to strengthen their applications. The Pre-Health office needs your help to review our amazing students' applications, provide feedback, and participate in at least one 45-minute group interview.
We will hold an info session on November 3rd from 5:15pm-6:15pm via Zoom. A zoom link will be shared upon completion of the form. Questions? Please contact prehealth@jcu.edu
Become a HPAC Committee Interviewer
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News and Past Events
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Catch up on recent happenings and highlights from across the College of Health.
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Featured Story
Athletic Assessment
The exercise science department performed a series of athletic assessments on the JCU Women's lacrosse team in mid September. These assessments included vertical jumps on force plates, sprinting speed using timing gates and radar, and agility testing. The information will be used to provide the players and coaches with information relevant to their performance and training programs. It will also be used by members of the exercise science department for research on athletic performance.
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Educational Health Session
Dr. Anna Simonson conducted an educational session for the JCU Women's Lacrosse team on September 19th. The session focused on proper fueling for lacrosse, how to build a pre and post-game/practice healthy plate in the Schott Dining Hall, how to build a healthy snack, hydration, and safe and effective supplementation for performance. Athletes will be able to apply these concepts to improve their sports performance and overall health.
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2025 JCU Health Professions Expo
On September 25, Pre-Health Professions hosted an event showcasing the many pathways into healthcare. Students connected with program representatives from universities including Cleveland State, Duquesne, Case Western Reserve, Ursuline, Lake Erie, Northeast Ohio Medical, Gannon, and Bowling Green, as well as with John Carroll programs in nursing, applied behavior analysis, exercise physiology, bioethics, and public health.
Employers such as Bon Secours Mercy Health, University Hospitals, Aultman, Cleveland Clinic, and Akron Children's Hospital also shared current opportunities and career advice. We are grateful to the many academic and employment partners who joined us to support the next generation of healthcare professionals.
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Department Updates
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We are proud to announce that Dr. Martina S. Moore (Ph.D. ’01G) has been named the 2025 recipient of the Reverend Casey Bukala, S.J. Distinguished Achievement Award, one of John Carroll University’s highest honors.
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Dr. Martina Moore Awarded the Reverend Casey Bukala, S.J., Distinguished Achievement Award
As Chair of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, Dr. Moore has shown exceptional leadership, dedication to her students, and a passion for advancing the counseling profession. Her impact reaches beyond the classroom, strengthening both JCU and the wider community through her service, scholarship, and advocacy.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Moore on this outstanding honor!
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JCUEMS
JCUEMS recently held a training where members practiced responding to a patient scenario with help from the Improv Club, who volunteered as patients to make the exercise more realistic. Multiple groups rotated through the simulation, giving us the chance to observe, reflect, and strengthen our skills in teamwork, communication, and decision-making under pressure.
We’ve also been invited to provide support at club sports events, including women’s and men’s club soccer and rugby. These opportunities allow us to apply our training in real-time, assist with injuries, and continue building confidence as an emergency response team. We’re proud to promote both safety and school spirit at JCU athletic events.
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Faculty and Alumni Updates
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Celebrating the achievements and contributions of our exceptional faculty members and accomplished alumni.
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Dr. Mary Leas to Speak at Transitions of Care Conference
One of our Nursing Faculty, Dr. Mary Leas was invited to speak at the 11th Annual American Case Management Association's Washington State Chapter Transitions of Care Conference in Seattle on September 19th, 2025. She presented selected findings from her qualitative descriptive study exploring moral distress in hospital-based nurse case managers. She presented to approximately eighty participants. Her presentation was well received.
This conference offered an opportunity for nurses, social workers, physicians, health plan professionals, and others across the continuum of care to collaborate and discuss actionable innovative ideas to improve case management practice. Additionally, this conference also offered participants opportunities to gain up-to-date insights on industry best practices from leading experts. Conference participants earned 5.5 hours of educational credits.
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Dean's Calendar Connect
Melissa Cole, Dean of the College of Health, is excited to announce new office hours, now available to book online through Google Calendar link.
Students and others are invited to schedule a time to ask a question, share ideas, or simply have a conversation. By making office hours easier to schedule, she hopes to be even more accessible to the College of Health community. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to meet one-on-one!
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Elizabeth Pawlowski, DO '14, Reflects on the Importance of Public Health to Support All Communities
I am excited to learn that JCU is incorporating Public Health into its curriculum. In my current role, I serve as a primary care provider at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Tucson, Arizona. We serve a predominantly uninsured and underinsured Hispanic and refugee population.
Public health plays an integral role in my daily practice, as I care for individuals and families from diverse global backgrounds. I have also had the opportunity to participate in the JCU Medical Immersion trip to Honduras over the years, which continues to highlight the intersection of global health and public health. A holistic approach, which views patients not only as individuals but also as members of distinct cultural and community groups, is essential to providing quality care in my daily work.
Therefore, I believe it is crucial for those entering the medical field to develop a strong understanding of public health, enabling us to work collaboratively towards equitable healthcare for all communities.
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Community Spotlight
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JCU Nursing faculty and students are making a difference in the fight against Alzheimer's disease through community engagement and fundraising efforts.
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In honor of her personal connection with Alzheimer's, JCU nursing instructor Dr. Mary Leas and several of the students from the JCU Nursing Program will be participating in the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer's on Saturday, October 18th. They will be walking through the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo that morning to raise awareness and funding to "further the care, support, and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association".
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Walk to End Alzheimer's 2025
October 18, 2025 | Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Led By Dr. Mary Leas and JCU Nursing Students
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Research and Publications
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Lea Kanbar '28 Publishes Research in Discover Mental Health
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Mediating effect of risk propensity between impulsivity and psychotic experiences among Lebanese young adults
Lea Kanbar '28, a senior biology major at John Carroll University, is the first author of "Mediating effect of risk propensity between impulsivity and psychotic experiences among Lebanese young adults" (Discover Mental Health, 2025). She began her academic and research work at the American University of Beirut before transferring to JCU after the war in Lebanon. In addition to her studies, she works full-time at the Cleveland Clinic as a Patient Care Nursing Assistant, an experience that has strengthened her passion for medicine. Now applying to medical school, she hopes to serve underserved communities while continuing research that connects mental health and clinical practice.
Kanbar led the writing and contributed to the study's design and interpretation. The study found that impulsivity alone was not directly linked to psychotic experiences. Instead, impulsive individuals were more likely to take risks—and those risky behaviors were associated with greater psychotic-like experiences. This highlights risk-taking as a key factor linking personality traits with mental health outcomes.
Please join us in congratulating Lea on this well-deserved achievement!
Read the publication
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On Campus Services
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Essential resources and services available to support your health and wellness at JCU.
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Free Nursing Tutoring Available in the Learning Commons
The Learning Commons (2nd floor of Grasselli Library) now offers free tutoring in Nursing for all JCU students.
Our tutor this semester is: Kayla Trogu - ktrogu28@jcu.edu
Nursing Tutoring Hours:
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Monday: 1:00–4:00 p.m.
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Wednesday: 1:00–3:00 p.m.
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Friday: 12:30–1:30 p.m.
Tutoring is offered in a drop-in study table model, and students may also make appointments through WC Online.
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Physicians and Nurses on Campus at Student Health Services
Physicians from the Cleveland Clinic Health System staff are on campus every Monday and Thursday afternoon to address your medical concerns.
Registered Nurses are available on campus daily to see any student with medical questions or concerns. There is no fee to see the nurse for undergraduates.
For questions or to make an appointment, please call 216.397.4349.
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Mentor the Next Generation of Health Professionals
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Do you work in healthcare or a healthcare-related field and are interested in mentoring current JCU College of Health Students? Please complete the survey form below to express your interest in providing networking, shadowing, or research opportunities for our students!
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| Submit Interest Form |
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We Value Your Feedback!
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Help us make the College of Health newsletter a valuable resource by sharing your thoughts, suggestions, and stories. Let us know what topics interest you, how we can improve, or if you have an inspiring healthcare or education story to share.
Please send your input to coh@jcu.edu - we greatly appreciate your contributions!
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