Villanova University M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing

01/19/2026

This month, Villanova University will commemorate the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a variety of activities and programs that reflect his message of peace, justice and hope.

Learn more: https://www1.villanova.edu/university/media/press-releases/2026/MLK-Day-Of-Service.html

01/19/2026

Today, Villanova University honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., reflecting on his vision of justice, unity and compassion. Guided by his dream of a "Beloved Community," Villanovans continue to work toward a world where understanding and kindness prevail.

📸: Falvey Library Villanova Digital Collection

12/25/2025

12/19/2025

Ready to take your nursing career to the next level?

Become a nurse innovator with our Post-Master’s DNP program.

Join us Wednesday, Jan. 7, 12–1pm for a DNP Virtual Information Session and learn how our flexible program is designed to fit your life while elevating your impact. Hear directly from Program Director Debra Shearer, EdD, MSN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC.

Register today! https://bit.ly/48Ppfic

12/19/2025

Today, faculty and staff enjoyed a holiday lunch hosted by Dean Havens—full of great conversation, laughter and time well-spent together. We even cast our votes for the outfit that best captured the holiday spirit, Dr. Michelle Lockett! And Dr. Guy Weissinger scored a sweet victory guessing the Hershey’s Kisses count.

Happy holidays from all of us at the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing!

12/16/2025

Thank you to the National League for Nursing for featuring this Nursing EDge Unscripted conversation with Professor Suzanne Smeltzer and Assistant Professor Colleen Meakim on preparing nurses to serve people with disabilities.

A series of resources, including a toolkit focused on how faculty can help students to learn about caring for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, is available on the NLN website. Contributors include Dr. Smeltzer, Dr. Bette Mariani, Colleen Meakim and Kathryn Reynolds.

12/15/2025

Gina Friel, '21 DNP, CRNP-PC, '90 BSN, a pediatric nurse practitioner, ​has been named to the 2025 TIME100 Climate Catalyst list of influential leaders driving business climate action. The TIME100 Climate list celebrates decision-makers, executives, researchers and innovators working to help unlock the necessary funding and resources needed for successful and equitable climate action.

Gina is Director of the Global Nurses Working Group and Co-Founder of the Nursing Climate Resources for Health Education (N-CRHE), Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

See link in the comments.

12/11/2025

Professor Monika Pogorzelska-Maziarz, PhD, MPH, CIC, FAPIC, FSHEA, FACE, was featured in a recent multidisciplinary Villanova Newsroom article exploring the role of disease modeling in public health. An epidemiologist and health services researcher, Dr. Pogorzelska-Maziarz shared insights that demonstrate how nursing science contributes to understanding and preparing for outbreaks.

Read more: https://www1.villanova.edu/university/media/press-releases/2025/disease-modeling.html

12/09/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Katelin Crane, who had a successful dissertation defense on December 1.

The title of her study is: “Digital Disruption: A Secondary Analysis Examining the Dynamics of Problematic Media Use and Depression in Children and Adolescents.” Her dissertation chair is Dr. Jennnifer Yost and her committee member is Dr. Guy Weissinger. Dr. Helene Moriarity and Dr. Patricia Bradley served as examiners for the dissertation defense.

Dr. Crane is our 142nd PhD graduate!

12/09/2025

The Fitzpatrick College of Nursing was well-represented at the University’s 2025 Student Research Symposium, hosted by the Center for Research and Fellowships on Nov. 21.

Four Nursing undergraduates presented standout research posters:

Callie Orszulak ‘27
“Comparing Neonaticide and Infanticide Across the Globe: A Scoping Review of Literature” (Advisor: Dr. Elizabeth Burgess Dowdell)

Emily Barber ‘28
“Exploring a Social Justice and Health Equity Course: Preparation through difficult conversations” (Advisor: Dr. Meredith MacKenzie-Greenle)

Benjamin Cikota ‘26
"Investigating the Role of the School Nurse in Providing Mental Health Screenings and Interventions Related to Grades and Academic Performance in Adolescents” (Advisor: Dr. Elizabeth Burgess Dowdell)

Alyssa Idusuyi ‘27
“The Lived Experience of Black Birthing People in Philadelphia” (Advisor: Dr. Kimberly Trout)

Also presenting:
Dr. Michelle McKay’s advisee Lillian Wong ‘28, a Comprehensive Science major, on “Artificial Intelligence Applications in Reducing Falls Among Older Adults: A Review of the Literature.”

Congratulations to our impressive student researchers—and to their faculty mentors—for their valuable scholarship!

12/04/2025

Catch Dr. Susan Kilroy, Villanova Nursing’s inaugural Endowed Professor in Healthcare Simulation and Innovation, with Molly K. McCarthy, our Howley Family Visiting Professor in Healthcare, on the podcast.

Episode #57: “Simulation Labs Are Becoming the New Front Line of Nursing Education.”

Dr. Kilroy shares her journey from business student and injured college athlete to pediatric nurse, educator and national simulation leader, and how Villanova is shaping the next era of immersive, tech-enabled nursing education.

She highlights Villanova’s vision for a reimagined Simulation Center, virtual reality and AI-supported learning, along with smarter models of care that strengthen—not replace—clinical judgment.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-57-simulation-labs-are-becoming-the-new-front/id1709513407?i=1000739487175