“I spent this semester interning at an assisted living facility in southern Maine - as an activities coordinator, developing and implementing activities and programs for the older adult residents at the facility. Especially during the pandemic, these activities have offered them vital interactions, joy, and a sense of normalcy. One program I developed was a new seated yoga class offered to our independent residents to encourage physical and mental relaxation and activity. Not only have the residents become more flexible and more confident in their physical abilities, but they routinely express how relaxing and happy they feel after our class. I am so glad to have brought them some joy during these difficult times. The activities department plans to continue offering my yoga class, and the residents are ecstatic to have this new program continue.”

“I love majoring in Community Health because you’re always looking for ways to make a community whole and figuring out how to get people within the community involved. I’m so lucky to have resources like the Mercy Center to get me off the ground in terms of community service, and to collaborate with professors who are equally passionate about helping others in need.

In October I attended the Maine Hunger Dialogue with professors Lenore Difiore and Steve Bridge. The goal of the Maine Hunger Dialog is to take action to end hunger in the state of Maine. After attending the event, we submitted for a $500 grant for the SJC Commuter Kitchen. Having the encouragement of my peers and mentors backing me at all times is so helpful.”

“I love that I get to help people everyday when I come to work and more importantly I get to educate the community and provide resources to individuals in the state of New Hampshire. I am very grateful that I get to help individuals in the community that I work in and provide resources and programs that are impacting the Social Determinants of Health. I feel that SJC has prepared me well for my career and I use the skills and lessons I learned in my experiences at SJC everyday in my career. One thing I would love to strive for in my career is be able to teach some of the classes I was able to participate in at SJC like Stress Management, and Meditation and Mindfulness, because these are the classes that really helped shaped my career and I continue to use the lessons I learned everyday.”

— Ashley Stratton, MPH; Community Health Educator for AmeriHealth

“The academic rigor of the science and anatomy classes at SJC prepared me well for the demanding classes in graduate school. The professors cared about my success and instilled confidence in me. My favorite experience was working closely with Dr. Croteau to help craft a blueprint to enable success in future Pre-OT students.

In 5 years, I see myself moving into a leadership role in a hospital. During my time at SJC I was fortunate enough to hold leadership roles on athletic teams as a captain, on boards of clubs and committees. This broad array of responsibilities will help me manage and lead in the future.”

— Joseph Mooney, MS, OTR/L Occupational Therapist; Works at an inpatient rehabilitation hospital

“I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. While at Saint Joe’s, I explored many health-related professions until I found my perfect fit. While on a clinical, I encountered an occupational therapist and knew it was a perfect fit for me as it combines my enjoyment of medical sciences, and it fulfills my need to care for others. Saint Joe’s health and wellness program provided me with a diverse range of health science courses with additional hands-on clinical and fieldwork experiences. The coursework provided me with the opportunity to complete a specific pre-occupation therapy tract. After graduation, I earned a doctoral degree in occupational therapy from Johnson and Wales University. As an occupational therapist, I plan to pursue acute care and gain experience working with pediatric and neonatal populations.”

— MaryClaire Attisano, OTS; Occupational Therapist

“I graduated from Saint Joe’s in 2017 and started at Saint Dominic Academy about a year after that. Initially after graduation I was still trying to figure out exactly what I wanted to do. Health and wellness is such a broad major with so many different career paths. For a while I was considering working in a hospital or doctors office and working on the clinical side of health and wellness. But, I come from a family of teachers and have always been exposed to the world of education. Ultimately, I found education to be a more interesting career path. I felt like, if I can take my passion and use it to motivate kids to be healthier, and really make an impact and difference in their lives, that’s the most fulfilling job to me. I get so excited to come to work every day and see the kids, try new things, and create strategies that grow this program and make it stand out.”

— Physical Education Teacher, Saint Dominic Academy