2021 Trocaire Trailbalzer Magazine
All Trocaire Alumni will receive a complimentary subscription to the College’s annual magazine, Trailblazer. In addition, check your email inbox for our quarterly Trocaire Today e-newsletter – your source for news & information that matters most to you!
All Trocaire Alumni will receive a complimentary subscription to the College’s annual magazine, Trailblazer. In addition, check your email inbox for our quarterly Trocaire Today e-newsletter – your source for news & information that matters most to you!
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The magazine for alumni, students and supporters of <strong>Trocaire</strong> College <strong>2021</strong><br />
FOLLOWING IN HER<br />
FOOTSTEPS:<br />
A mother’s second career inspires her daughter to find her own passion for nursing<br />
• PAGE 6<br />
LEVEL UP YOUR HEALTHCARE CAREER: <strong>Trocaire</strong>’s BPS in Healthcare<br />
Management can provide the perfect next step • PAGE 5<br />
VIRTUAL CELEBRATIONS: Check out how some of our 2020-<strong>2021</strong> graduates<br />
marked their accomplishment remotely • PAGE 10
THE MAGAZINE OF<br />
TROCAIRE COLLEGE<br />
Vol. 7, Issue No. 1<br />
The <strong>Trocaire</strong> Trailblazer is for<br />
alumni and friends of <strong>Trocaire</strong><br />
College, a private, careeroriented<br />
Catholic institution<br />
that strives to empower<br />
students toward careers of<br />
achievement and lives of<br />
purpose through our supportive<br />
environment and hands-on<br />
programs in healthcare,<br />
business, and technology. It is<br />
published once a year by the<br />
Office of Communications.<br />
For more information, email<br />
communications@trocaire.edu.<br />
EDITOR<br />
Kristy Holfoth<br />
CONTRIBUTIONS<br />
Monica Stage<br />
Jessica Wittman<br />
• president’s message<br />
<strong>2021</strong>-22<br />
BOARD OF<br />
TRUSTEES<br />
Thomas H. Waring, Jr.<br />
Chair<br />
Lisa M. Kirisits, CPA<br />
Vice Chair<br />
Tracey A. Maw ’94<br />
Corp. Secretary<br />
William Barrett Wadsworth<br />
Treasurer<br />
Peg Adams, MBA<br />
Brian F. Attea, Esq.<br />
Justin P. Azzarella<br />
Lawrence E. Christ<br />
Sister Anne Curtis, RSM<br />
Sister M. Jeanne Thomas<br />
Danahy RSM, ’67<br />
Bassam M. Deeb, Ph.D.<br />
Sarah E. Gilson<br />
Angela Laviano Hamister<br />
Richard P. Hershberger, Ph.D.<br />
Kathy Jamil<br />
Teresa M. Majors, CPA<br />
Sister Lisa Mary<br />
McCartney RSM, Ph.D.<br />
Gerald A. Nagle, MBA<br />
James Notaro, Ph.D.<br />
Michael P. Rade, MD<br />
Jeffrey Rubin, DMD<br />
Sister Mary Ann<br />
Schimscheiner RSM, ’67<br />
Rob Swann ’96<br />
Lisa M. Wheeler ’95<br />
Sean Willett<br />
The past year has been one that proves the old adage “the only constant in life is change.”<br />
Though we had hoped the relentless tide of pandemic-related adjustments would be behind us<br />
at this point, it appears our adaptability will continue to be put to the test this fall and into the<br />
holiday season.<br />
<strong>Trocaire</strong> has flourished despite the challenges of the past 18 months. Our students have continued to<br />
graduate and go out and succeed in a transformed workforce, whether it be in healthcare, business<br />
or technology. Our alumni are making a difference at every level—front-line care, behind-the-scenes<br />
support and executive leadership. Our program offerings continue to evolve, expand and enjoy some<br />
of the best academic and industry professionals as faculty.<br />
This annual magazine is a wonderful opportunity for us to share these stories and reconnect with all<br />
of you. In these pages, you’ll find stories about a recent graduate who chose his path to <strong>Trocaire</strong> back<br />
in eighth grade, and a family tradition of finding a second home in our Catherine McAuley School of<br />
Nursing. You’ll also learn why our Bachelor of Professional Studies in Healthcare Management is such<br />
a strategic option for current healthcare professionals looking to take the next step in their careers.<br />
As the effects of the pandemic continue to be felt, we at the college have had to make some difficult<br />
decisions to help ensure <strong>Trocaire</strong> can continue providing the best educational experience possible.<br />
Following much discussion and consideration, one of those decisions was requiring that all<br />
employees, students and contractors be vaccinated against COVID-19. We felt it was crucial we make<br />
our campus community the safest it could possibly be for the Fall <strong>2021</strong> semester and beyond.<br />
As a Catholic institution in the Mercy tradition and a major educator of healthcare professionals in<br />
the Buffalo-Niagara region, it is our duty to prioritize the health and well-being of both the <strong>Trocaire</strong><br />
community and the community at large. Requiring a COVID-19 vaccine—which has been proven<br />
safe and highly effective—is the best way to do that.<br />
In these pages, we hope you enjoy reconnecting with some of the people and programs that make<br />
<strong>Trocaire</strong> the unique place it is. Be well, and thank you to all who have supported our students during<br />
these unprecedented times—its impact is deeply felt and appreciated.<br />
Bassam M. Deeb, Ph.D.<br />
<strong>Trocaire</strong> College President<br />
2 trailblazer <strong>2021</strong>
FIRST VIRTUAL SPRING SOIRÉE<br />
On April 29, <strong>2021</strong>, <strong>Trocaire</strong> College held its first virtual Spring Soirée. The<br />
event helped highlight the remarkable work being done in the community<br />
by our distinguished honorees and showcased <strong>Trocaire</strong>’s success in providing<br />
Western New Yorkers an affordable, private education with a career-oriented focus in<br />
thriving fields such as healthcare, business and technology.<br />
During a 20-minute virtual presentation, <strong>Trocaire</strong> presented its President’s Award<br />
to KeyBank and First Niagara Foundation, accepted by Gary Quenneville, NYS Region<br />
Executive and Buffalo Market President. Karen Chiantella Camacho ’96, Product<br />
Escalations Manager at PointClickCare, was presented with the Distinguished Alumni<br />
Award, and the Outstanding Student Award was presented to Amanda Gillespie ’20.<br />
Thanks to the generous support of our community partners, the Spring Soirée was a<br />
success! This signature event generated over $90,000 to support tuition assistance for<br />
deserving <strong>Trocaire</strong> students.<br />
Advance2000 | Catholic Health | ComDoc, A Xerox Company | Erie County Medical Center<br />
Family Choice of New York | Five Star Bank | Hamister Family Foundation<br />
Independent Health | Ellen Koessler | Lemur Studios | Note Advisors, LLC<br />
Park Edge Sweet Shoppe | Rich's Catering and Special Events | Caputi Liquors<br />
Spring<br />
Soirée ’22<br />
Thursday,<br />
April 28, 2022<br />
<strong>2021</strong> trailblazer 3
LEADING THE WAY<br />
LONGTIME NURSE TRANSITIONS TO<br />
ADMINISTRATOR IN NEW ERA FOR<br />
AURORA PARK<br />
Back in March 2020, Stacy Bastian ’08, ’12, BSN, LNHA was<br />
settling into her new role as administrator of Absolut Care at<br />
Aurora Park. The East Aurora nursing, rehab and long-term care<br />
facility had just come under new management, and Stacy was<br />
looking forward to making improvements in communication,<br />
trust and quality.<br />
Then came COVID-19.<br />
“Initially coming in, I knew that to facilitate trust, it would take<br />
meeting with people, talking with them, establishing relationships<br />
with them,” Stacy said. “And it was challenging, obviously, because<br />
we were isolated. People couldn’t come in.”<br />
She said that made the communication she and her staff did<br />
have with families of patients and members of the community—<br />
whether it was a phone call, an email or a robo-call—even more<br />
crucial.<br />
“They were listening, so you better say the truth, say it right and be<br />
empathetic to the stress they were under,” she said. “Many times<br />
when people were frustrated—whether they cried, or yelled, or got<br />
emotional—we just listened. It starts with listening, hearing what<br />
they say and hopefully finding a means to address it.”<br />
“With COVID, we couldn’t fix things, we couldn’t stop it—it was a<br />
train that we were all on, and it was uncharted territory,” she said.<br />
“But if they trusted that we cared for their loved one like they were<br />
our family and showed that, and demonstrated compassion, that<br />
made all the difference.”<br />
The Heart of a Nurse<br />
Stacy came into her new role after more than two decades in<br />
nursing at The McGuire Group’s Harris Hill Nursing Facility. She<br />
started from the bottom, working as a certified nursing assistant<br />
(CNA) and then a licensed practical nurse. She attended <strong>Trocaire</strong><br />
for her AAS in Nursing and graduated in 2008, returning to obtain<br />
her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing in 2012. Eventually, she<br />
became director of nursing.<br />
However, having the ability to affect change on an institutional<br />
level rather than departmentally intrigued Stacy. There are several<br />
paths to qualifying for a position of leadership in healthcare, but<br />
she chose to pursue her Nursing Home Administrator licensure.<br />
Her job now is to oversee the overall function of her facility.<br />
“Department heads manage silos of areas that service the<br />
residents, yet the silos have to work together collaboratively as a<br />
team to provide holistic care,” she explained. “The administrator<br />
oversees that to make sure it functions smoothly. It’s also customer<br />
service to residents and families, and it’s building those community<br />
relationships.”<br />
When McGuire’s parent company, RCA Healthcare Management,<br />
acquired the troubled Aurora Park facility in addition to five<br />
other Absolut Care locations across the state, she thought it was<br />
the perfect opportunity to make the jump to administration with<br />
ownership she knew cared.<br />
“It was without hesitation, and I knew I would be supported,” she<br />
said. “I wanted to bring what I knew [at Harris Hill] to a facility<br />
that maybe didn’t have that support previously. And thank God,<br />
because in the most challenging time healthcare has seen in our<br />
lifetime, they were side by side with us.”<br />
4 trailblazer <strong>2021</strong>
Her years in nursing have only benefited Stacy in the new role.<br />
“I think it makes you a better nurse and administrator if you<br />
can relate to the front line staff that you supervise,” she said. “A<br />
CNA is a backbone of a facility. They are your eyes and ears; they<br />
know the residents and have intimate time with them. If you can’t<br />
respect, listen and value what they do … you’re only as good as<br />
your team and the trust they have in you.”<br />
A Passion for Long-term Care<br />
Though she is no longer on the front lines of patient care, Stacy<br />
said she still loves working in the long-term care world. Though<br />
it’s often thought of as a less exciting option compared to the<br />
fast-paced, acute, life-saving situations found in hospital and<br />
emergency settings, Stacy said there is a beauty to what long-term<br />
care healthcare workers do.<br />
“No matter what area of nursing you work in, it’s necessary,<br />
it’s important, and it should be valued,” she said. “We get that<br />
precious time to develop a rapport and bond with the residents<br />
and families. Some are at their most vulnerable. Some don’t have<br />
family support. Despite all the negativity you hear, there are<br />
miracles that happen every day in these facilities. Whether it’s<br />
the touch of a hand or the listening and support to a family or<br />
resident, that’s huge, and it’s priceless.”<br />
She said Aurora Park’s elderly clientele deserve to be treated with<br />
dignity and respect, and that is her top priority in addition to<br />
tending to their physical health.<br />
“They’ve earned that—they’re the matriarchs and patriarchs of<br />
their families,” she said. “Nobody wants to come to a nursing<br />
home. But if they have no choice because of their medical or<br />
financial needs—we are their home. We work in their home.”<br />
With COVID restrictions loosening, Stacy said she is refocusing<br />
on her initial quality improvement goals for Aurora Park, and<br />
grateful for the dedicated and caring core of staff she oversees.<br />
“You have to build a strong foundation, and effective change<br />
just takes time. We’re on a journey,” she said. “But it’s exciting,<br />
because you can see—despite the pandemic and despite the<br />
challenges—the gains we’ve made, the relationships we’ve built,<br />
the differences that we’ve made even in the worst of times. That’s<br />
what it’s about.” •<br />
<strong>Trocaire</strong>’s Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) in Healthcare Management<br />
PROGRAM Q&A<br />
How is this degree unique?<br />
The healthcare sector is rapidly<br />
expanding, creating new<br />
opportunities for individuals<br />
with the appropriate managerial<br />
experiences and leadership skills.<br />
<strong>Trocaire</strong>’s BPS in Healthcare<br />
Management is unique thanks to<br />
the college’s depth of experience<br />
in healthcare and our employer<br />
network. The program’s flexible<br />
curriculum was designed with input<br />
from employers, industry experts,<br />
and scholars from across the field<br />
and includes online delivery, making<br />
it attractive to working healthcare<br />
professionals who are ready to move<br />
up in their organization. You’ll apply<br />
theory and best practices and use<br />
your new knowledge and experience<br />
to advance on the job right away.<br />
Who would benefit most from<br />
pursuing this degree program?<br />
As the number of healthcare<br />
occupations continues to grow, the<br />
need for positions in healthcare<br />
management is growing faster<br />
than the healthcare sector as a<br />
whole and faster than other similar<br />
management positions. A career in<br />
the healthcare management field<br />
is a good choice for those who want<br />
to work in a business or managerial<br />
capacity within a healthcare setting.<br />
Individuals with a two-year clinical<br />
degree and others working in the<br />
healthcare field who are looking<br />
to advance into management and<br />
leadership roles can take advantage<br />
of <strong>Trocaire</strong>’s flexible online<br />
curriculum. Some students may be<br />
able to earn the degree in one year of<br />
study to save time and money.<br />
What skills will participants<br />
master in this program?<br />
With healthcare-specific courses<br />
in management theory and<br />
practice, law and compliance, data<br />
analytics, critical management<br />
communications, project<br />
management, teambuilding, and<br />
strategic planning, the program<br />
offers a valuable credential and<br />
provides experienced professionals<br />
with the critical thinking,<br />
conflict resolution, interpersonal<br />
communication, teamwork,<br />
supervisory, and leadership skills to<br />
manage healthcare environments<br />
successfully. An Externship Seminar<br />
provides you with the opportunity to<br />
put your knowledge and skill to work<br />
in the field.<br />
What roles could graduates of<br />
this program hold?<br />
A BPS degree in Healthcare<br />
Management offers a new level<br />
of career and advancement<br />
opportunities in healthcare<br />
Dr. Yang Zhao<br />
Director, BPS Management programs<br />
settings. Just a few of the potential<br />
roles include medical and health<br />
services manager, administrative<br />
services manager, healthcare<br />
compliance manager/officer,<br />
healthcare administrator,<br />
department supervisor, unit/<br />
project manager, and leadership<br />
roles in acute care, long term care,<br />
emergency services, ambulatory<br />
care, healthcare insurance agencies,<br />
medical device and pharmaceutical<br />
sales, and healthcare IT/Electronic<br />
Medical Records management. •<br />
<strong>2021</strong> trailblazer 5
A NEW FAMILY TRADITION<br />
A NEW FAMILY TRADITION<br />
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER ATTEND NURSING SCHOOL<br />
JUST SIX YEARS APART<br />
When Shelby Przybysz was 15 years old, back in 2012, she<br />
watched her mom, Tracy, head to her nursing classes at<br />
<strong>Trocaire</strong> College each day.<br />
Tracy was eight months pregnant, and the long Buffalo winter had<br />
already begun. She had an hour-long commute, a cold walk from<br />
her parking spot to campus, and clinical assignments that kept her<br />
on her feet for 8-12 hours at a time. She also had a blended family<br />
of six kids to wrangle.<br />
“She is a wonder woman,” Shelby thought to herself back then,<br />
and many times since. Little did she expect that she—a selfproclaimed,<br />
life-long hater of all things “gross,” would follow her<br />
mom’s example and find her own passion for nursing six years<br />
later.<br />
Head Down, Lean Forward<br />
Tracy is now a registered nurse for Hospice Buffalo, a career<br />
she loves (see box). But in 2011, she was a part-time writer and<br />
editor for a bridal magazine and had just remarried. She and her<br />
husband each brought three kids to the marriage, and she decided<br />
she needed a career with more stability and better benefits.<br />
Tracy said she gets bored easily, likes to be moving and loves a<br />
challenge. Her mother had been a nurse, and she concluded it was<br />
the right choice for her next chapter.<br />
“Choosing nursing was a very logical, thought-out decision,” she<br />
said. “Plus, I’d be helping people—that was always very important<br />
to me, feeling like there’s purpose in what I do.”<br />
She enrolled at <strong>Trocaire</strong>, eager to get her associate’s degree and<br />
begin working as a nurse as soon as possible before continuing her<br />
education. She found out she was pregnant in her first semester,<br />
gave birth in November that year and took one semester off to care<br />
for her newborn.<br />
On top of her studies, Tracy was splitting time between her home<br />
in Fredonia and her new husband’s home in Buffalo and raising<br />
her kids. Shelby remembers seeing her mom nodding off as she<br />
studied on the couch, the baby sleeping in one arm and a textbook<br />
in the other.<br />
Tracy said her mindset during this chaotic time was, “What needs<br />
to get done today?”<br />
“When things got too overwhelming, I have a game I’ve always<br />
played with my kids, and myself, called ‘5 Things,’” she explained.<br />
“I would ask, ‘what five things can I do right now- just five?’”<br />
For studying, that might mean reading five paragraphs, then<br />
taking a break. For cleaning a messy house: pick up five things.<br />
Just break it into little pieces and take baby steps,” she said. “Focus<br />
on that one day, and eventually one day turns into a week, which<br />
turns into a month, which turns into a year, and eventually you get<br />
through. ‘Head down, lean forward’ is always what I would say.”<br />
Shelby’s Turn<br />
Tracy’s strategy worked—she graduated from <strong>Trocaire</strong> in May<br />
2015, the same month Shelby graduated from high school.<br />
6 trailblazer <strong>2021</strong>
While her mom tried a few different healthcare settings and<br />
eventually found her calling with hospice care, Shelby tried to<br />
find her own calling over the next few years. She considered going<br />
to culinary school, studying art history, traveling; the possibilities<br />
were never-ending.<br />
“I had no idea what I wanted to do—I wanted to do everything,”<br />
she said. “It always just kind of fell away. I moved south for a few<br />
years and waited tables … but realized one day, I don’t want to do<br />
this for the rest of my life.”<br />
Tracy took action when Shelby moved home to Western New York,<br />
sending in her application for <strong>Trocaire</strong> a week before the Spring<br />
2019 semester started. And just like that, Shelby was on a path to<br />
a nursing career.<br />
“At first I was terrified,” she said. “I needed that push from Mom.<br />
If she hadn’t pushed me, I wouldn’t have gone.”<br />
<strong>Trocaire</strong> Experience<br />
Even with the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting her second year<br />
of classes, Shelby said <strong>Trocaire</strong>’s small, close community, caring<br />
professors and nontraditional student body made it the perfect<br />
place for her.<br />
“We have people who are just out of high school, people who have<br />
been in the field for a few years and are now coming back, people<br />
who have no experience,” she said. “It makes for a real sense of<br />
inclusivity. I was 21 and all my friends were finishing their fouryear<br />
degrees, and I hadn’t even started. I was worried I wouldn’t<br />
fit in at college. But I came here, and that’s totally not the case.”<br />
Getting over her aversion to handling blood, bodily fluids<br />
and other everyday nursing realities during clinicals has been<br />
challenging, but critical to building confidence.<br />
“Every experience I’ve had—every bedpan I’ve changed, every<br />
catheter I’ve had to drain, every little thing that is nothing to an<br />
actual nurse—has been a step where I’m like, ‘OK, I can be brave,<br />
I can do this,’” Shelby said.<br />
Tracy Jennsion-Cotter ’15, BSN,<br />
shows a photo of herself and<br />
her daughter Shelby at Tracy’s<br />
graduation from <strong>Trocaire</strong>’s<br />
Nursing program in 2015. Shelby<br />
is on track to graduate from the<br />
same program in December <strong>2021</strong>.<br />
She discovered her own nursing niche on her pediatric clinical<br />
rotation at John R. Oishei Children's Hospital of Buffalo, where her<br />
bubbly personality made her a perfect fit with her tiny patients.<br />
After one more semester at <strong>Trocaire</strong>, she can’t wait to go out and<br />
get to work as an RN, and eventually return to school to get her<br />
Nurse Practitioner degree.<br />
Tracy said it is a thrill to see her daughter challenge herself and<br />
find success after her years of searching for her passion.<br />
“Nursing school even in the best of times is so stressful—to<br />
see Shelby be able to overcome has been amazing,” Tracy said.<br />
“Her personality, wanderlust, abilities and purpose—everything<br />
meshes and fits what she’s doing. I’m so excited for her future.” •<br />
HOSPICE<br />
NURSING<br />
Tracy Jennison-Cotter ’15, BSN, describes her career<br />
as a traveling nurse for Hospice Buffalo.<br />
Can you describe your job?<br />
I drive throughout Erie County and provide in-home<br />
care for Hospice Buffalo patients—I am on call<br />
for when pain becomes unmanageable, patients<br />
experience delirium, or a patient passes away.<br />
Why were you interested in hospice/palliative care<br />
work?<br />
My father had just died down in Georgia, and I didn’t<br />
get to say goodbye. In nursing school, you learn<br />
so much about the body, but you don’t learn very<br />
much about the dying process. I wanted to better<br />
understand. In addition, that’s the time you’re<br />
closest to leaving life and what’s beyond—if you’re<br />
ever going to find out and see beyond your own<br />
faith, you might see it there.<br />
Why do you love your job?<br />
It is a time of life when patients and their families<br />
are at their most vulnerable, and it is so gratifying<br />
to be able to walk alongside them and just provide<br />
education and support in addition to treating their<br />
symptoms. The whole spectrum and scope of<br />
nursing is realized in this specialty. You have the<br />
time to focus on patients and families that you<br />
don’t necessarily have on a hospital floor. It was a<br />
perfect fit for me—who I am, where I am in life, and<br />
what I want to do.<br />
<strong>2021</strong> trailblazer 7
FROM P-TECH<br />
TO<br />
SURG TECH<br />
FELICE MASUMBUKO ’21, CST<br />
BEGINS CAREER AT ROSWELL<br />
Many eighth graders think they know what they want to do<br />
when they grow up. Sticking to that plan through fruition is<br />
much less likely.<br />
However, picking his path 6 years ago and participating in New<br />
York State’s P-TECH has allowed Felice Masumbuko to graduate<br />
from <strong>Trocaire</strong> in May with his AAS degree in Surgical Technology<br />
at just 19 years old. Though the journey hasn’t always been easy—<br />
especially considering a global pandemic striking in the middle<br />
of his degree—he’d do it again if he had the choice.<br />
A Fateful Decision<br />
Felice grew up in Lackawanna. Though he attended Global<br />
Concepts Charter School through middle school, he decided to<br />
transfer to Lackawanna High School to take advantage of the<br />
New York State P-TECH program (see box). The program covers<br />
all costs and provides extensive support as students pursue a<br />
2-year STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) degree<br />
through a streamlined course of study that begins in high school.<br />
“I was reluctant at first because I had to change schools, but<br />
the linchpin was ‘free college,” Felice said. “I couldn’t turn that<br />
down.”<br />
Possible degrees in Lackawanna’s and <strong>Trocaire</strong>’s P-TECH program<br />
included Surgical Technology, Radiologic Technology and Health<br />
Information Technology. Students began taking introductory<br />
P-TECH (Pathways in Technology):<br />
A state-funded, private-public partnership launched in 2013 that<br />
works to prepare thousands of New York high school students for<br />
high-skills STEM careers. <strong>Trocaire</strong>, the Lackawanna City School<br />
District, Erie I BOCES and Catholic Health were chosen as the first<br />
P-TECH program in Western New York, one they named HOPE<br />
(Health Occupation Pathways to Employment).<br />
and liberal arts college courses in ninth grade. By 11th grade,<br />
they had to choose their specific degree path and began taking<br />
their college classes—things like statistics and anatomy &<br />
physiology—on site at <strong>Trocaire</strong>.<br />
Surgical Technology was a natural fit for Felice, an aspiring<br />
doctor. He said balancing his P-TECH and regular high school<br />
responsibilities was surprisingly manageable—he did his<br />
Lackawanna curriculum for half a day, then had the other half to<br />
attend, study and complete assignments for his <strong>Trocaire</strong> classes.<br />
Up Close and Personal<br />
Taking care of so many courses while still in high school meant<br />
Felice enjoyed a lightened course load once he arrived at <strong>Trocaire</strong><br />
after completing all his classes for Lackawanna. He was able to<br />
take just 2-3 classes per semester, which allowed him to achieve<br />
high grades while also holding down first a part-time position as<br />
a dietary aide at an Elderwood facility and then a full-time job as<br />
an assistant manager at Dollar General.<br />
He praised his instructors and the Surgical Technology<br />
curriculum, but his clinical rotations were high points, as he<br />
assisted on surgeries on real patients and even met surgeons who<br />
said they had started where he was—as a surgical technologist.<br />
His love of his new profession grew with each new experience.<br />
“I love how big of a part surgical techs play, and how much we get<br />
to see,” he said. “Everyone in that operating room is important.<br />
They are a cog in a greater machine to help the patient. I really<br />
like that. Everyone has to work together.”<br />
What’s Next?<br />
Felice graduated from <strong>Trocaire</strong> in May <strong>2021</strong>, passed his<br />
certification exam a few weeks later, and was offered a job at<br />
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center soon after. He had<br />
a clinical rotation there as a student, assisting on procedures<br />
including a pneumonectomy (removal of a lung) and videoassisted<br />
thoracic surgery.<br />
8 trailblazer <strong>2021</strong>
“I really love the job and the place because I feel like I make a positive<br />
difference in people’s lives,” he said. “Every successful surgery, every<br />
patient interaction makes me feel like I’m part of something greater. It<br />
feels good to know that I’m able to help people every day just by doing<br />
my job.”<br />
Felice is now a student at University of Buffalo, majoring in bio-medical<br />
sciences. He hopes to eventually become a surgeon himself. Thanks to<br />
his start in the P-TECH program, he’s able to work full-time at a job he<br />
loves as he continues on the path to his ultimate career goal.<br />
CYBERSECURITY<br />
Q & A<br />
6 Tips for Safer Online Experiences<br />
“Hopefully 6 years from now, I’m going to be the doctor in that clinical<br />
situation, telling student techs, “keep going—that was me once.’” •<br />
I love how big of a part<br />
surgical techs play,<br />
and how much we get<br />
to see. Everyone in<br />
that operating room is<br />
important. They are a<br />
cog in a greater machine<br />
to help the patient.<br />
Dan Neville, director of the <strong>Trocaire</strong> Technology<br />
Institute and associate dean of <strong>Trocaire</strong>’s<br />
Cybersecurity, Data Analytics and Healthcare<br />
Informatics programs, weighs in on some easy<br />
ways to make your online activities safer.<br />
Social media polls/message forwarding: You know those polls<br />
circulating Facebook that everyone shares, the ones that have<br />
a bunch of questions to “learn a little more about each other?”<br />
Most of the time, the polls are salted with the same questions<br />
used for password hints and reset requests—who was your<br />
favorite teacher, where did you meet your spouse, etc. Just pass.<br />
Please. Similarly, those “forward to all your friends” messages<br />
can be nasty critters. It’s all a numbers game for the bad guys—<br />
collect enough information from enough people, and you’re<br />
bound to find a “winner.” You don’t want that to be you.<br />
Passwords: Yes, I know passwords are pain, but they are easy<br />
targets for hacking, especially when the same password is used<br />
multiple times. Mix it up, and keep a hint list (not a password<br />
list!). Try to use uppercase and lowercase letters, special symbols<br />
and numbers—longer is better. String together some nine-letter<br />
random words to help. Elephant$%Surfboard99 is exponentially<br />
more secure than JohnBaby1992. You can also get a password<br />
manager app that does the work for you: Bitwarden is free, while<br />
LastPass and 1Password are under $50 per year.<br />
Email: Don’t click on links in or provide information in response<br />
to emails that look or sound “off” or are from an unknown<br />
sender. These phishing emails are attempting to get sensitive<br />
information out of you, such as personal details or account<br />
data—in fact, the overwhelming majority of cyberattacks<br />
begin with a phishing attack. A good site to learn more is<br />
www.sonicwall.com/phishing-iq-test/. They present you with<br />
10 emails, and you have to determine if each one is good or<br />
bad. You’ll see your results at the end, and some really good<br />
explanations as to what to look for.<br />
Location Information: When you “check in” some place on<br />
your phone, you allow the cell towers and GPS to figure out your<br />
location. The cell tower already knows the general vicinity, but<br />
GPS can get to within 3 feet. Pictures you take are tagged with<br />
the same information. Want proof? Send a picture to your email<br />
address. Open the picture and right-click on Info or Properties.<br />
Facebook gets rid of that GPS info, but it’s still ridiculously easy<br />
to find out where and when a picture was taken, and potentially<br />
exploit that information.<br />
Vacation Announcements: This one sends shivers up my spine.<br />
Perfect target: your house is going to be empty, you’ll be gone for<br />
an extended period of time, and you’re going to post pictures and<br />
your itinerary every day. Instead, consider “I’m signing off social<br />
media for a few days. See you on the flip side.” Post all the cool<br />
pictures when you get back.<br />
Antivirus: Antivirus software for your computer is an absolute<br />
must. In addition to McAfee and Symantec/Norton, which<br />
both require subscriptions, there are free packages available.<br />
Whatever you do, don’t install two different packages—each will<br />
consider the other a virus. •<br />
<strong>2021</strong> trailblazer 9
WELCOME TO THE<br />
ALUMNI FAMILY<br />
DECEMBER 2020 | MAY <strong>2021</strong><br />
Commencement continued to look different this<br />
past year, with a virtual ceremony and at-home<br />
celebrations. But one thing hasn’t changed: how<br />
proud we are of our graduates.<br />
Congratulations, Classes of 2020 and <strong>2021</strong>!<br />
10 trailblazer <strong>2021</strong>
CAREERS OF ACHIEVEMENT,<br />
LIVES OF PURPOSE<br />
MAKE YOUR GIFT TODAY AND<br />
SHARE THE TROCAIRE EXPERIENCE<br />
Together with alumni and friends like you, <strong>Trocaire</strong> College supports students who are determined to succeed,<br />
build careers of achievement and lives of purpose.<br />
Your gift is essential to the success of <strong>Trocaire</strong> students!<br />
Please make a gift to the <strong>Trocaire</strong> College Annual Fund today. Each gift to the Annual Fund provides<br />
tuition assistance to <strong>Trocaire</strong> students. Simply fill out and submit the enclosed envelope to make<br />
your donation today.<br />
The Share <strong>Trocaire</strong> Fund provides <strong>Trocaire</strong> students with much-needed tuition assistance so they can stay on<br />
track to graduate with the critical skills our community needs.<br />
Your gift has an immediate impact!<br />
Since 1958, the faculty and staff at <strong>Trocaire</strong> College, with the<br />
• Enables students to attain high-quality education resulting in<br />
foundational and ongoing support of the Sisters of Mercy, have<br />
family-sustaining jobs.<br />
worked to provide <strong>Trocaire</strong> students an affordable, career-focused,<br />
• Advances the community’s skilled workforce by producing<br />
private education.<br />
career-ready alumni.<br />
During • the Helps 2016-2017 to bridge the academic sizeable year, tuition <strong>Trocaire</strong> gap students graduated face 359 after all<br />
students, other and aid more is applied. than 93% received financial assistance in the<br />
form of<br />
• Empowers<br />
grants and<br />
students<br />
scholarships.<br />
with personal<br />
This support—funded<br />
enrichment, dignity,<br />
in part<br />
and<br />
by<br />
donors like self-worth you—gives in the students spirit of the Sisters opportunity of Mercy. to realize their<br />
goals, improve their circumstances, and become caring service<br />
professionals Your gift today throughout helps the make Western their New opportunity York community. tomorrow.<br />
Every By dollar Sharing helps <strong>Trocaire</strong>, a student you help in need—it’s to remove financial as simple barriers as that. so Thanks our students<br />
to donations can access to a transformative our Annual Fund, education. <strong>Trocaire</strong> College is able to provide<br />
access to a college education to students who otherwise may not<br />
attend due to financial restraints.<br />
DONATE ONLINE<br />
To make a gift online, visit trocaire.edu<br />
and<br />
To make<br />
click on<br />
a gift online,<br />
visit trocaire.edu and click on<br />
“GIVE”<br />
“GIVE”<br />
Or or scan this<br />
QR<br />
QR code code to right visit our<br />
from secure your online<br />
smartphone form and make<br />
and<br />
your<br />
make<br />
donation<br />
your<br />
today!<br />
donation today!<br />
Otherwise, please fill out out the the<br />
enclosed<br />
enclosed<br />
envelope,<br />
envelope with<br />
and<br />
your<br />
along<br />
check<br />
with your credit card information<br />
made payable to <strong>Trocaire</strong> College.<br />
or check made payable to<br />
<strong>Trocaire</strong> College, mail to:<br />
<strong>Trocaire</strong> College<br />
Office of Institutional<br />
<strong>2021</strong> trailblazer 11
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT<br />
SUPPORTED TROCAIRE COLLEGE BETWEEN JUNE 1, 2020 & MAY 31, <strong>2021</strong><br />
PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE<br />
($25,000 OR MORE ANNUALLY)<br />
James H. Cummings Foundation<br />
Amy J. and Halim A. Habib Family Foundation<br />
New York State Department of Education<br />
New York State Empire State Development<br />
United States Health Resources and Services<br />
Administration<br />
TRUSTEE’S CIRCLE<br />
($5,000 TO $24,999 ANNUALLY)<br />
ABM Education Facilities Services<br />
Kurt Amico<br />
Conference for Mercy Higher Education<br />
Dr. Joseph R. Connelly *<br />
Michael & Mary Beth Cucinotta<br />
Drs. Bassam & Jodi Deeb<br />
David & Janet Desmon<br />
Mr. & Mrs. George Eberl Ŧ<br />
Erie County Medical Center Corporation<br />
Elderwood Administrative Services<br />
Ellicott Development Company<br />
William J. Grant Trust<br />
Kaleida Health<br />
KeyBank<br />
Fred & Lisa Kirisits ŧ<br />
Ellen E. Koessler<br />
The Paul J. Koessler Foundation<br />
Dr. Richard T. Linn<br />
Vincent & Harriet Palisano Foundation<br />
Judith A. Nolan Powell Ŧ<br />
Roswell Park Cancer Institute<br />
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas H. Waring, Jr. ŧ<br />
LEADERSHIP CIRCLE<br />
($1,000 - $4,999 ANNUALLY)<br />
Advance2000<br />
Amherst Security Professionals Inc.<br />
Brian F. Attea, Esq. ŧ<br />
Justin P. Azzarella ŧ<br />
Thomas E. Baker*<br />
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph F. Basil, Jr.<br />
BD&E<br />
John Burgess Ŧ<br />
Catholic Health<br />
Karen Chiantella Camacho ’96<br />
Dianna Civello<br />
ComDoc, A Xerox Company<br />
12 trailblazer <strong>2021</strong><br />
e3communications<br />
Family Choice of New York<br />
Five Star Bank<br />
Sarah Gilson ŧ<br />
The Hamister Family Foundation<br />
Angela Laviano Hamister ŧ<br />
Dr. Richard P. Hershberger ŧ<br />
Hodgson Russ, LLP<br />
Jack & Kathleen A. Hoffstetter ’71<br />
Jack & Barbara Hudack ’81<br />
James & Diana Iglewski ’86<br />
Independent Health<br />
Edward A. Johnson<br />
Elizabeth N. Kolber Ŧ<br />
Kirisits & Associates CPAS, PLLC<br />
Dr. Allyson M. Lowe<br />
Teresa M. Majors ŧ<br />
Maria College<br />
Jacqueline S. Matheny<br />
Tracey A. Maw ’94 ŧ<br />
Gerard & Barbara Mazurkiewicz<br />
Mary Drew McKeone<br />
Thomas J. Mitchell ’89<br />
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Moravec Ŧ<br />
Dr. James Notaro ŧ Ŧ & Amber Slichta ’94<br />
Note Advisors, LLC<br />
John P. O’Rourke Trust<br />
Carl P. & Mary Catherine Paladino Ŧ<br />
Mr. & Mrs. Richard C. Penfold<br />
Janet E. Peters<br />
Rodriguez Construction Group<br />
Dr. Jeffrey Rubin ŧ<br />
Kathleen Saunders<br />
Sisters of Mercy<br />
Dr. Gary Smith<br />
Rob Swann ’96 ŧ<br />
Mark Wachowiak ŧ<br />
William Barrett Wadsworth ŧ<br />
Thomas Warger<br />
Lisa Wheeler’ 95 ŧ<br />
Sean Willett ŧ<br />
Maureen Winnert Ŧ<br />
FRIENDS OF TROCAIRE<br />
COLLEGE<br />
($1 TO $999 ANNUALLY)<br />
Absolut Care<br />
Rachel Andalora<br />
Sandra Andujar<br />
Stuart & Joyce Angert<br />
Michael & Maria Arena<br />
Dr. Allyson Backstrom<br />
Mollie Ballaro<br />
Barbara A. Bargmann<br />
Barnes & Noble Bookstore at <strong>Trocaire</strong> College<br />
Zenaida Barnum ’70<br />
Brian J. Becker ’09<br />
Angel Beiter<br />
Dr. Mary K. Bennett Ŧ<br />
Robert M. Bennett<br />
James Biddle, Jr.<br />
Dr. Jennifer Blickwedehl<br />
Dr. G. Richard Braen<br />
Michele Brancato<br />
Paula Braun ’69<br />
Dr. Amy Breski<br />
Gary & Mary Britton<br />
Veronica M. Broderick<br />
Martha A. Bronstein ’86<br />
A. Laurie Brosnahan<br />
Thomas J. Bubar ’75<br />
Barbara M. Buchheit ’82<br />
Bonnie Burdzy ’21<br />
Patricia A. Burgess<br />
Karen Burhans<br />
Maureen Burns<br />
Emily Dorothea Busch<br />
Constance Butler ’67<br />
Katherine Byrne '83<br />
Dr.* & Mrs. Noel M. Chiantella<br />
Joanne M. Chmura ’75<br />
Lawrence E. Christ ŧ<br />
Nelson & Patricia Civello<br />
Susan Clark ’88<br />
Tiffany N. Cole ’09<br />
Cosgrove Law Firm<br />
Kathleen Cosgrove-Drury ’74<br />
Jordan Courtney<br />
David & Caroline Croen<br />
Helen Cyrulik ’82<br />
Ginalyn Dake<br />
Sister M. Jeanne Thomas Danahy RSM, ’67 ŧ Ŧ<br />
Mary Ann Deb<br />
Liz DeJac-Wirth
Dr. Betsy DelleBovi<br />
Kathleen Dennehy<br />
Nancy Deubell ’77<br />
Monica Joy Diasio ’78<br />
Lesley Diaz<br />
Susan M. Domres ’82<br />
Amy Downing<br />
Mya Doyle<br />
Eileen Duman<br />
Gale Eberhardt<br />
Barbara Eggleston ’81<br />
Diane Eggleston<br />
Aimana ElBahtity<br />
Harold Erbacher<br />
Patricia Eusanio ’70<br />
Elaine Evanovich ’76<br />
Evergreen Health Services<br />
Jack & Maureen Fecio ’68<br />
Deborah Pope Finamore ’73<br />
Jacob M. Fisher ’14<br />
Agnes Fleig ’71<br />
Dr. Peter W. Forgach<br />
Philomena M. Gallagher<br />
Dr. Thomas Gamble<br />
Jessica Gavin<br />
Mary C. Genzel<br />
Rosemary Diane Giambone ’73<br />
Angela E. Giancarlo<br />
Breona Nicole Gibson ’21<br />
Giorgio’s Limousine Service<br />
Therese M. Gorman & Chester S. Moyer<br />
Carolyn Gorczyca<br />
Kelly A. Govern<br />
Jaqueline Gow<br />
Robert Graeff ’96<br />
Dr. Ellen E. Grant Ŧ<br />
Patrick Griffin<br />
Ann L. Grosso ’74<br />
Virginia Guenther ’81<br />
Margaret M. Gutowski ’70<br />
Kathleen Hahn ’70<br />
Mark Hamberger<br />
Helene M. Hamilton ’70<br />
Katie Hamister<br />
Sharon L. Hanson Ŧ<br />
Anne Marie Harris ’81<br />
Tina Hatchett ’16<br />
Heathwood Assisted Living<br />
Patricia A. Heavey<br />
Jane Higgins ’69<br />
Joanna Hillman<br />
David & Kristy Holfoth<br />
Rosemary Hopkins ’76<br />
Dr. Susan L. Horrocks<br />
Jonathan Hudack<br />
Sean Hudson<br />
Anne E. Hunt<br />
Dr. & Mrs. Paul B. Hurley, Jr. Ᵽ<br />
Ilio DiPaolo’s Restaurant<br />
Dr. Tara Jabbaar-Gyambrah<br />
Tim Jackson<br />
Drs. William and Genevieve James<br />
Juliana Janson<br />
Dr. Ann-Marie John<br />
Chanice Johnson<br />
Susan Johnson<br />
Veronica Kane-Lockwood ’75<br />
Ethel Kendricks ’81<br />
Jenna Kendzierski ’18<br />
Archangela Kervin<br />
Dr. Linda J. Kerwin ’07<br />
Leigh A. King ’97<br />
Rebecca Klepp ’21<br />
William Korthals<br />
Caitlin Kostowniak<br />
Genevieve Kruly<br />
Meghan Ladolcetta<br />
Sarah Leuthe ’98<br />
Mary Ann Long<br />
Darrel Lynch<br />
Mader Construction Company, Inc.<br />
Margaret Makowski-Greenky ’72<br />
Dr. Alexander Mandych<br />
Sister Diane C. Matje RSM<br />
Sister Lisa Mary McCartney RSM, Ph.D. ŧ<br />
Molly McGee Randisi ’72<br />
McGuire Group<br />
Sharon McHenry ’69<br />
Sharon A. McNamara ’77<br />
Jason G. Meder RN ’98<br />
Carole Mikolajczak<br />
Judith C. Miller<br />
Martin & Karen Miller<br />
Elizabeth Miller Hawkins ’73<br />
Richard Miodonski<br />
Joan C. Mitchell<br />
Rachel Moog<br />
Helen Moran<br />
Michele Muckle ’87<br />
Chet & Ralfa Musialowski<br />
Christopher & Ellen Musialowski<br />
Dr. Nicholas Naples ’77<br />
Daniel Neville<br />
Margaret V. Overdorf<br />
Patricia Owczarak '74<br />
Dave A. Peck ’80<br />
Paula Penepent ’78<br />
Mary K. Perschy<br />
Paulette Kolyer Pilipauskis ’67<br />
James Poulos<br />
Patricia Preston ’73<br />
Sharon Prize Azurin, Esq.<br />
Marya Propis<br />
Mary M. Przepasniak<br />
Thomas P. Ralabate<br />
Lauren Reczek<br />
Cynthia Rich<br />
Kimberly Rider ’97<br />
Donald Roof ’94<br />
Tracy Rozewicz<br />
Arthur A. Russ, Jr.<br />
Dr. Christine Ryan<br />
Dawn Sacks<br />
Susan Saltzman ’67<br />
Molly E. Sayler ’80<br />
John & Patty Schiavone<br />
Sister Mary Ann Schimscheiner RSM, ’67 ŧ<br />
David M. Schwab<br />
Colleen A. Scoville ’84<br />
Barbara Shaw<br />
G. Roman Shchurowsky<br />
Nancy J. Sheehan, Esq. ’84<br />
Siobhan C. Smith Ŧ<br />
Steven C. Smith & Benjamin Gaetanos<br />
Kathryn Sonnen<br />
Southtowns Radiology<br />
LeeAnn Speyer ’84<br />
David Spinney<br />
Monica L. Stage<br />
Sheila Stanchak ’83<br />
Lorie D. Steinwald ’97<br />
Debra Steriovski<br />
Dr. Susan Stocker ’78<br />
Andrew Storer<br />
Mary Pat Sullivan ’76<br />
Susan Sullivan<br />
Carol Sundquist ’87<br />
Rachel Suto McCormick ’85<br />
Cheryl D. Swain<br />
Jessica Taylor<br />
James & Jane Tebo ’70<br />
Heather Thompson<br />
Trautman Associates<br />
<strong>Trocaire</strong> College Board of Trustees<br />
<strong>Trocaire</strong> College Faculty Association<br />
Dr. Mitch Tucker<br />
Dr. Jean Turcott<br />
Ann Van Pelt ’91<br />
Bridget Van Sickle<br />
JoAnne Marie Viapiano ’76<br />
Kelsey Wagner<br />
Mary Alice Walz<br />
<strong>2021</strong> trailblazer 13
Mark Wattenberg<br />
WB Mason<br />
Drs. Howard & Julie Wescott<br />
Christine L. Whipkey ’10<br />
Carol A. Whitton ’71<br />
Adriane Z. Williams<br />
Sheila Williams ’73<br />
Dorothy Worrall<br />
Rosemary Yager ’76<br />
Amy M. Zielinski<br />
FOUNDER’S CIRCLE<br />
(LIFETIME GIVING TOTAL OF $100,000 OR MORE)<br />
ADF Construction<br />
Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo<br />
James H. Cummings Foundation<br />
Dormitory Authority of the State of New York<br />
Franklin G. Downing *<br />
Helene Fuld Health Trust<br />
Health Resources & Services Administration,<br />
Nursing Workforce Diversity Program<br />
KeyBank and the First Niagara Foundation<br />
Ellen E. Koessler<br />
Elizabeth N. Kolber Ŧ<br />
M&T Charitable Foundation<br />
The McGuire Group<br />
New York State Education Department<br />
John R. Oishei Foundation<br />
Carl P. & Mary Catherine Paladino Ŧ<br />
Vincent & Harriet Palisano Foundation<br />
Mr. & Mrs. Richard C. Penfold<br />
Russell J. Salvatore, Lh.D.<br />
Sisters of Mercy<br />
The Statler Foundation<br />
United States Department of Justice, Office<br />
on Violence Against Women<br />
The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation<br />
United States Department of Education<br />
LOYALTY CIRCLE<br />
(CONSECUTIVE GIVING 5 YEARS OR MORE)<br />
ABM Education Facilities Services<br />
Amherst Security Professionals Inc.<br />
Mollie Ballaro<br />
Barbara A. Bargmann<br />
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph F. Basil, Jr.<br />
Dr. Jennifer Blickwedehl<br />
Michele Brancato<br />
Paula Braun ’69<br />
Dr. Amy Breski<br />
Thomas J. Bubar ’75<br />
John Burgess Ŧ<br />
Constance Butler ’67<br />
Karen Chiantella Camacho ’96<br />
Catholic Health<br />
Susan Clark ’88<br />
Kathleen Cosgrove-Drury ’74<br />
Sister M. Jeanne Thomas Danahy RSM, ’67 ŧ Ŧ<br />
Drs. Bassam & Jodi Deeb<br />
14 trailblazer <strong>2021</strong><br />
Kathleen Dennehy<br />
David & Janet Desmon<br />
Monica Joy Diasio ’78<br />
Barbara Eggleston ’81<br />
Ellicott Development Company<br />
Erie County Medical Center Corporation<br />
Deborah Finamore ’73<br />
Jacob M. Fisher ’14<br />
Dr. Peter W. Forgach<br />
Philomena M. Gallagher<br />
Mary Genzel<br />
Angela E. Giancarlo<br />
Carolyn Gorczyca<br />
Kelly A. Govern<br />
Amy J. Habib<br />
Helene M. Hamilton ’70<br />
Heathwood Assisted Living<br />
Jane Higgins ’69<br />
Jack & Kathleen A. Hoffstetter ’71<br />
David & Kristy Holfoth<br />
Jack & Barbara Hudack ’81<br />
Dr. & Mrs. Paul B. Hurley, Jr. Ᵽ<br />
Cheryl Hynes ’15<br />
Ilio DiPaolo’s Restaurant<br />
Edward A. Johnson<br />
Kaleida Health<br />
Veronica Kane-Lockwood ’75<br />
Dr. Linda J. Kerwin ’07<br />
Fred & Lisa Kirisits ŧ<br />
Kirisits & Associates CPAS, PLLC<br />
Ellen E. Koessler<br />
Elizabeth N. Kolber Ŧ<br />
Dr. Richard T. Linn<br />
Margaret Makowski-Greenky ’72<br />
Jacqueline S. Matheny<br />
Tracey A. Maw ’94 ŧ<br />
Molly McGee Randisi ’72<br />
Sharon McHenry ’69<br />
Jason G. Meder ’98, RN<br />
Elizabeth Miller Hawkins ’73<br />
Thomas J. Mitchell ’89<br />
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Moravec Ŧ<br />
Dr. Nicholas Naples ’77<br />
Dr. James Notaro ŧ Ŧ & Amber Slichta ’94<br />
Note Advisors, LLC<br />
Vincent & Harriet Palisano Foundation<br />
David A. Peck ’80<br />
Mr. & Mrs. Richard C. Penfold<br />
Mary K. Perschy<br />
Janet E. Peters<br />
James Poulos<br />
Mary M. Przepasniak<br />
Donald Roof ’94<br />
Susan Saltzman ’67<br />
Kathleen Saunders<br />
Colleen A. Scoville ’84<br />
Sisters of Mercy<br />
Siobhan C. Smith Ŧ<br />
Sheila Stanchak ’83<br />
Lorie D. Steinwald ’97<br />
Debra Steriovski<br />
Rachel Suto McCormick ’85<br />
Cheryl D. Swain<br />
Heather Thompson<br />
JoAnne M. Viapiano ’76<br />
Mary Alice Walz<br />
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas H. Waring, Jr. ŧ<br />
Christine L. Whipkey ’10<br />
Carol A. Whitton ’71<br />
Maureen Winnert Ŧ<br />
Rosemarie Yager ’76<br />
Amy M. Zielinski<br />
SISTER BARBARA CIARICO<br />
LEGACY SOCIETY<br />
(PLANNED GIVING)<br />
Ellen Bowman<br />
Thomas J. Bubar ’75<br />
Dr. Joseph R. Connelly *<br />
Maureen English<br />
Dr. & Mrs. Paul B. Hurley, Jr. Ᵽ<br />
Kathleen G. Kearns *<br />
Ellen E. Koessler<br />
William F. Marx<br />
Thomas J. Mitchell ’89<br />
Gerald C. Saxe<br />
Mary Alice Walz<br />
TRIBUTE GIFTS<br />
Gifts made in honor or memory celebrate the legacy<br />
of cherished individuals by making a difference and<br />
impact in the lives of <strong>Trocaire</strong> students.<br />
IN MEMORY OF THOMAS E. BAKER Ŧ<br />
Jack & Kathleen Hoffstetter ’71<br />
Martin & Karen Miller<br />
IN MEMORY OF REGINA BECKER<br />
Brian J. Becker ’09<br />
IN MEMORY OF THOMAS F. BRINKWORTH<br />
Martin & Karen Miller<br />
IN MEMORY OF SISTER CARITAS<br />
Helen Moran<br />
IN HONOR OF GEORGETTE CORDERA<br />
Rosemary Yager ’76<br />
IN HONOR OF DR. BASSAM M. DEEB<br />
Dr. G. Richard Braen<br />
IN MEMORY OF DR. DENNIS DEPERRO<br />
Rosemary Diane Giambone<br />
IN MEMORY OF MARGARET DEVINE<br />
Margaret V. Overdorf<br />
IN MEMORY OF DAVID K. DONALDSON, JR.<br />
Michael & Maria Arena<br />
Jack & Kathleen A. Hoffstetter ’71<br />
Nicole Politi<br />
Maggie & Michael Stiggers<br />
IN MEMORY OF RITA LEARY ESCOBAR ’81<br />
Anne E. Hunt<br />
IN MEMORY OF DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE<br />
EUSANIO FAMILY<br />
Patricia Eusanio ’70<br />
IN MEMORY OF CHRIST GAETANOS<br />
Judith C. Miller
Nicole Politi<br />
Maggie & Michael Stiggers<br />
IN MEMORY OF CATHERINE IMMACULATE<br />
GORMAN ’81<br />
Anne Marie Harris ’81<br />
IN HONOR OF SISTER MARGARET MARY<br />
GORMAN<br />
Therese M. Gorman & Chester S. Moyer<br />
IN HONOR OF SISTER MARIE ANDRÉ MAIN<br />
Debra Steriovski<br />
IN MEMORY OF THOMAS C. MITCHELL<br />
Jack & Kathleen Hoffstetter ’71<br />
Joan Mitchell<br />
Mary Przepasniak<br />
Thomas Ralabate<br />
Kathryn Sonnen<br />
Debra Steriovski<br />
IN HONOR OF THOMAS J. MITCHELL<br />
Arthur A. Russ, Jr.<br />
Mary Alice Walz<br />
IN MEMORY OF AARON RUBIN<br />
Jack & Kathleen A. Hoffstetter ’71<br />
<strong>Trocaire</strong> College Board of Trustees<br />
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas H. Waring, Jr. ŧ<br />
IN MEMORY OF GLORIA SALTZBURG<br />
Kathleen Saunders<br />
Jack & Kathleen A. Hoffstetter ’71<br />
IN MEMORY OF RACHEL R. SAVARINO<br />
Angela E. Giancarlo<br />
IN MEMORY OF ANTHONY AND LUCY<br />
SCHIAVONE<br />
John & Patty Schiavone<br />
IN MEMORY OF KEITH STOLZENBURG<br />
Jack & Kathleen A. Hoffstetter ’71<br />
IN MEMORY OF SOPHIA SZYMANOWICZ<br />
Helene M. Hamilton ’70<br />
IN MEMORY OF FLORA G. TURNER<br />
Margaret Makowski-Greenky ’72<br />
IN MEMORY OF SISTER SALLY WALZ<br />
Mary Alice Walz<br />
IN MEMORY OF BETTY WATTENBERG ’68<br />
Mark Wattenberg<br />
IN MEMORY OF ANN WILLIAMS, RN<br />
Sharon A. McNamara ’77<br />
IN MEMORY OF LUCILLE WOOD<br />
Tim Jackson<br />
ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS<br />
Endowed scholarships established at <strong>Trocaire</strong><br />
College are legacies of generosity. Unlike gifts<br />
received for immediate use, endowed gifts keep<br />
giving over time. These prudently invested funds<br />
generate annual earnings that will be available to<br />
provide financial support to deserving students in<br />
perpetuity.<br />
The Cucinotta Family Endowed Scholarship<br />
Fund ¤<br />
The Deeb Family Scholarship Fund ¤<br />
The Desmon Family Endowed Scholarship ¤<br />
The George J. and Christina B. Eberl Endowed<br />
Scholarship Fund ¤<br />
ECMC Endowed Scholarship Fund ¤<br />
First Niagara Foundation Endowed<br />
Scholarship Fund ¤<br />
Amy J. and Halim A. Habib Family Endowed<br />
Fund ¤<br />
Fred and Lisa Kirisits Endowed Scholarship<br />
Fund ¤<br />
The Ellen Klausman Koessler Endowed<br />
Scholarship Fund ¤<br />
Paul J. Koessler Foundation Endowed<br />
Scholarship Fund ¤<br />
Paladino Family Endowed Scholarship Fund ¤<br />
Belasario & Sara Paladino Memorial<br />
Scholarship<br />
Mary C & Urban J Pauly Trustee Scholarship<br />
The Berna Savarino Scholarship Fund<br />
Sisters of Mercy Scholarship ¤<br />
The Sarah and Tom Waring Endowed<br />
Scholarship ¤<br />
<strong>Trocaire</strong> College Community Award<br />
The Walz Family Endowed Scholarship Fund ¤<br />
GIFTS IN KIND<br />
Aléthea's Chocolates<br />
Anderson’s Frozen Custard<br />
Arbonne/Lisa Buss<br />
¤ indicates newly established<br />
Aromagic Designs/Steven C. Smith<br />
Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens<br />
Buffalo Bills<br />
Buffalo Brewpub<br />
Buffalo Games<br />
Buffalo Sabres<br />
The Buffalo Zoo<br />
Burchfield Penney Art Center<br />
Karen Chiantella Camacho ’96<br />
Chef’s Restaurant<br />
Dianna Civello<br />
Eric Coleman (Owner of Beer By Coleman<br />
& Director at <strong>Trocaire</strong> Brewing, Distilling, &<br />
Fermentation Program)<br />
Delta Sonic<br />
Dog Ears Bookstore & Café<br />
Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.<br />
Children’s Museum<br />
Explore Buffalo<br />
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Graycliff<br />
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House<br />
The Franklin Salon & Esthetics<br />
Gates Circle Wine & Liquor<br />
Angela Laviano Hamister ŧ<br />
Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Buffalo<br />
Hyatt Place Niagara Falls<br />
Imperial Pizza<br />
Danielle Jacobs<br />
Jim's Steakout<br />
Lamar Advertising Company of Buffalo<br />
Lasertron<br />
Lexington Co-Operative Market<br />
Dr. Richard T. Linn<br />
Linwood Candle Company<br />
Jacqueline S. Matheny<br />
Norwex/Pam McCarthy<br />
Old Fort Niagara<br />
Paths, Peaks & Paddles<br />
Paula’s Donuts<br />
Purrfect Café<br />
Ristorante Lombardo<br />
Rocco's Wood Fired Pizza<br />
Salon LeBeau<br />
Savoy<br />
Scanlon Jewelers<br />
Dr. Gary Smith<br />
Southtowns Radiology<br />
Chris Stucchio<br />
Tops Family Markets<br />
Trillium’s Courtyard Florist<br />
<strong>Trocaire</strong> College Enrollment Division<br />
<strong>Trocaire</strong> College Finance & Accounting<br />
Department<br />
<strong>Trocaire</strong> College Human Resources<br />
Department<br />
<strong>Trocaire</strong> College Institutional Advancement<br />
Division<br />
<strong>Trocaire</strong> College Student Affairs Division<br />
<strong>Trocaire</strong> College Student Massage Therapy<br />
Clinic<br />
<strong>Trocaire</strong> College Workforce Development<br />
Division<br />
Thomas H. Waring, Jr.<br />
WNY Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa<br />
Key:<br />
* Deceased<br />
ŧ Current Trustee<br />
Ŧ Trustee Emeritus/a<br />
Ᵽ President Emeritus/a<br />
<strong>2021</strong> trailblazer 15
360 Choate Ave. | Buffalo, NY 14220<br />
NON-PROFIT ORG.<br />
US POSTAGE<br />
PAID<br />
BUFFALO, NY<br />
PERMIT #2435<br />
• Alumni News and Notes<br />
Sister M. Jeanne Thomas Danahy RSM, ’67, was<br />
elected to <strong>Trocaire</strong> College’s Board of Trustees for a<br />
new three-year term, effective June <strong>2021</strong>. A member<br />
of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Sister is also<br />
a <strong>Trocaire</strong> Board Trustee Emerita.<br />
Thomas J. Bubar ’75, RN was named the July <strong>2021</strong><br />
NY-27 Veteran of the Month by Congressman Chris<br />
Jacobs (NY-27). Bubar served in the US Army and was<br />
deployed to Vietnam from 1970-71. During his service,<br />
he reached the rank of Specialist 4 and provided<br />
preventative medical care to service members<br />
stationed overseas. Following his military service,<br />
Bubar received several nursing degrees, including one<br />
from <strong>Trocaire</strong> College, and held numerous positions<br />
before becoming a nursing instructor.<br />
Thomas Mitchell ’89, RN, was appointed <strong>Trocaire</strong><br />
College’s director of Mission, Ministry and Service in<br />
January <strong>2021</strong>. Mitchell’s career at <strong>Trocaire</strong> spans 40<br />
years—he is a longtime liberal arts faculty member<br />
and has also held several administrative roles. In<br />
addition, he served as an RN at Buffalo’s VA Medical<br />
Center for a decade while continuing to teach fulltime.<br />
Isadore DeMarco ’95, NP, RN received Buffalo<br />
Business First’s <strong>2021</strong> Excellence in Healthcare Award.<br />
DeMarco is an administrator at Canterbury Woods,<br />
a pair of assisted living facilities in Williamsville and<br />
Buffalo. He manages a staff of 120 nurses, aides,<br />
therapists and others and monitors care for 100<br />
residents.<br />
Teresa Bellaire ’96, RN received Buffalo Business<br />
First’s <strong>2021</strong> Excellence in Healthcare Award. Bellaire<br />
is a registered nurse on the Clinical Team at Person<br />
Centered Services, a disability services and support<br />
organization in Buffalo. She helps ensures clients<br />
in 18 counties across the state receive the best and<br />
most relevant care available and helps link clients to<br />
relevant specialists.<br />
Andrea Czora ’97, RN received Buffalo Business<br />
First’s <strong>2021</strong> Excellence in Healthcare Award. Czora<br />
is vice president of RCA Healthcare Management<br />
LLC. She leads the clinical operation of five longterm<br />
skilled nursing facilities and one assisted living<br />
facility around Western New York. For the last year<br />
she has had one focus: keeping the 760 residents and<br />
1,000 employees safe from Covid-19.<br />
Terrance Gaiter, who received a phlebotomy<br />
certificate from <strong>Trocaire</strong> College, received Buffalo<br />
Business First’s <strong>2021</strong> Excellence in Healthcare Award.<br />
Gaiter is senior vice president at Urban Family<br />
Practice in Buffalo. He joined UFP 17 years ago as<br />
an office phlebotomist and now oversees the daily<br />
operations of both the Jefferson Avenue and Niagara<br />
Street locations.<br />
Brian Becker ’09 accepted a new position as taproom<br />
service manager at Big Ditch Brewing Company<br />
in Buffalo. A Hospitality Management graduate,<br />
Becker was previously part of the management team<br />
at Delaware North's Patina Restaurant Group. He<br />
received <strong>Trocaire</strong>’s Distinguished Alumni Award in<br />
2012.<br />
Lisa Hanavan ’13, MSRS, RPA/RSA, RRA, RT(R)<br />
(MR)(ARRT) received the <strong>Trocaire</strong> College Medical<br />
Imaging department’s first-ever Kitty Clark Clinical<br />
Instructor of the Year Award. Hanavan has served as<br />
a clinical instructor at <strong>Trocaire</strong> for four years and was<br />
nominated for "being nothing but amazing," "pushing<br />
students to their next limit" and helping students<br />
find their confidence in performing exams.<br />
Andrea Dickens ’13, BS, RT(R) joined <strong>Trocaire</strong> College<br />
as the clinical placement coordinator for the Medical<br />
Imaging programs. Dickens has 8 years of experience<br />
working in the imaging field and has worked at<br />
<strong>Trocaire</strong> as a Medical Imaging laboratory and clinical<br />
instructor for the past 4 years.<br />
Iman Mohamed ’19, RN, accepted a nursing position<br />
in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Nationwide<br />
Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Mohamed’s<br />
unit specializes in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia<br />
(BPD), a chronic respiratory disease that affects<br />
premature infants.<br />
Jasmaine West ’20, a current BSN student who is<br />
also a graduate of <strong>Trocaire</strong>’s AAS in Nursing program,<br />
was gifted a refurbished car in January <strong>2021</strong> thanks<br />
to Travelers and the National Auto Body Council’s<br />
Recycled Rides program.<br />
Felice Masumbuko ’21, CST, began a position as a<br />
surgical technologist at Roswell Park Comprehensive<br />
Cancer Center.<br />
2020-<strong>2021</strong><br />
Academic Affairs Highlights:<br />
Amy Breski, Ph.D., was promoted to associate<br />
professor, psychology in the Fall 2020 semester.<br />
Tiffany Cole, faculty in nursing, successfully defended<br />
her doctoral dissertation, “Examining nursing faculty<br />
credentials and NCLEX-RN pass rates in pre-licensure<br />
nursing programs.”<br />
Dr. Ann-Marie John, dean of <strong>Trocaire</strong>’s Catherine<br />
McAuley School of Nursing, is the higher education<br />
representative on the Community Health Center of<br />
Buffalo’s federal grant project titled: Race Matters,<br />
Systems Change to Improve Health Outcomes, from<br />
June-August <strong>2021</strong>.<br />
Allyson M. Lowe, Ph.D., vice president, Academic<br />
Affairs was appointed to Board of Trustees for the<br />
Health Sciences Charter School for <strong>2021</strong>-2024. Dr. Lowe<br />
also completed the Council of Independent Colleges’<br />
Executive Leadership Academy as a member of the<br />
2020-<strong>2021</strong> cohort.<br />
Solomon Nelson, Ph.D., was promoted to professor,<br />
English in the Fall <strong>2021</strong> semester.<br />
Dan Neville, MS, director of the <strong>Trocaire</strong> Technology<br />
Institute was named an Executive Committee member<br />
of the National CTE Advisory Council for <strong>2021</strong>-2023.<br />
He was also named to the Industry Advisory Council,<br />
Charter School for Applied Technologies and to the<br />
Program Advisory Board, Computer Technology for Erie<br />
1 BOCES.<br />
Jess Taylor, instructional designer, earned a Master's in<br />
Education in Learning, Design and Technology in August<br />
<strong>2021</strong>.<br />
Kelly Wallace, Ph.D., was promoted to associate<br />
professor, biology in the Fall 2020 semester.<br />
Jaime White, M.Ed., RT (R)(CT)(ARRT), director of<br />
<strong>Trocaire</strong>’s Medical Imaging programs, was honored in<br />
June <strong>2021</strong> with the D’Youville College Saints4Action<br />
Award, presented by the director of D'Youville's Doctoral<br />
Program in Educational Leadership. This award is<br />
given to those who express a strong interest in social<br />
justice; exhibit characteristics of racial/gender equality,<br />
diversity and sensitivity to human rights; and support a<br />
strong foundation of LGBTQ rights.<br />
Amy Zielinski, Ph.D., was promoted to associate<br />
professor, biology in the Fall <strong>2021</strong> semester.<br />
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