We’re proud of the ambitions and accomplishments of our students and alumni – learn some of their stories in our monthly feature:

Student Spotlight

Stephanie Reilly ’20
Master’s in Healthcare Administration

Stephanie Reilly earned her undergraduate degree in Rehabilitation and Human Services from Penn State University in 2015. She then worked in various health care roles while considering how to continue her education. Stephanie learned about our graduate programs during a PA College informational session for Penn Medicine employees in the fall of 2017. Here she met Senior Admissions Counselor, Lyn Longenecker, and shares: “He was able to answer all my questions, described the advantages of having a master’s degree and helped me through the application process. He gave me that hands on assistance that I wouldn’t be able to get from any other program and that made all the difference!”

Now approximately one year into our Master’s in Healthcare Administration program, Stephanie has found the material on leadership and management to be useful in her position as Outpatient Senior Secretary for the Department of Neurology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. In this role, she works with social workers to transition ER patients to her department’s outpatient clinic and notes: “Although I’m not at a leadership level yet, my graduate courses assist me in understanding the type of leader I would like to be and who I view as a role model.”

Aspiring to become a director at Penn Medicine in the coming years, Stephanie offers this advice to others who may wish to follow a similar path: “Stay resilient and goal-oriented. No one has the same career path or progression, and it is unrealistic to expect yourself to make it to your dream position within a few years. These things take time and the things you learn over the years of working towards your goal will help you become a well-rounded leader.”

Stephanie is a native of Philadelphia, where she spends most of her free time experimenting with new recipes, working on home improvement projects and spending time with family and friends. She adds: “I also thoroughly enjoy watching the Eagles pave their way to their next Super Bowl win.”

Alumni Spotlight

John A. Singer, ADN, RN ‘13, CFRN, NREMTP
Certified Flight Registered Nurse, LifeMed Alaska, LLC

Alumnus John Singer began his career in emergency medical services, working as a paramedic, volunteer firefighter and rescue specialist for over twenty-five years. In 1984, he also helped to establish paramedic services in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, an injury caused him to retire from these roles in 2003.

John earned his ASN degree in 2013 and credits his PA College experience with helping him get back to a career he loves. After working for several years as a nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital (now Wellspan) in Lebanon, John took on a new adventure. He accepted a 26-week travel RN assignment as an Emergency Department RN at Samuel Simmons Memorial Hospital in Utqiagvik, Alaska and spent over 70 days of winter darkness near the “top of the world.” No roads lead in or out of Utquiagvik, and the closest high-level trauma center and tertiary care facilities are in Anchorage, over 750 miles away, accessible by air travel only.

Soon, John shifted his role from ED to aircraft. He currently works as a Certified Flight RN with LifeMed Alaska, LLC. The team provides critical care transport for patients from hospitals around Alaska to Anchorage, or to out of state destinations for special services not available in Alaskan facilities. Approximately 60% of flights are to remote Native Alaskan villages without road access by twin engine turbo-propeller planes.

John shares: “I am very proud to work with individuals that work hard to provide care to patients in small cramped aircraft in less than optimal environments with temperatures exceeding 50 below zero, swarms of mosquitoes, and long periods of darkness in winter and daylight in summer. And I value the handshakes, hugs and thank yous I receive for helping a patient or family member through a life event.”

John lives in the Fairbanks, Alaska area and in his spare time, enjoys traveling, camping, fishing, hiking and wilderness canoeing or kayaking. His parents and daughter (a junior in College) live in Pennsylvania, giving John a good reason to come back home to visit.

Seeking People of PA College

Do you know an exceptional current student or alumnus whose experiences and accomplishments would help tell the PA College story? Or someone who has overcome an obstacle or reached a challenging milestone during their PA College experience? Please email your suggested names (and identify them in one of these categories) to Karen Jenkins. Self-nominations are also welcome!