Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences, central Pennsylvania’s preeminent educational institution for the health care field, today announced its Dean’s List honorees for the Fall 2020 semester with 444 students recognized. Additionally, 95 students were named to the President’s List.
To attain Dean’s List honors, students need to obtain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher during the semester. The President’s List recognizes a competitive group of students who maintain a 3.95 grade point average or higher during the semester.
“On behalf of everyone at Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences, we congratulate all of our Fall 2020 Dean’s and President’s Lists recipients on the recognition for their commitment to educational excellence,” said Dr. Mary Grace Simcox, President of Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences. “Despite the challenges many of these students faced in pursuing their respective degrees during the COVID-19 pandemic, these students earned the highest levels of academic achievement through their diligence, resiliency and dedication to a rewarding career in health care.”
Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences is dedicated to developing elite medical professionals equipped to navigate the changing landscape of health care and improve patient outcomes. PA College’s rigorous curriculum prepares students for a variety of health care settings and roles, and to work collaboratively across disciplines to foster a holistic approach to care.
Reflecting on this experience, Quinn identifies many lessons he can apply to his career as a nurse. He notes: “As a nurse in the acute care setting, the most important lesson I learned was assisting with the patients’ needs after discharge. I now work very carefully with the case managers and social workers at my hospital to ensure discharge medications are covered by insurance and to schedule follow-up appointments. These were some of the issues the clients at the clinic faced.”
With graduation just a few months away, Sherry Moore will soon be the third-generation nurse in her family. In addition to this source of inspiration, she came to PA College with a beneficial academic background, having previously earned a bachelor’s degree in Biobehavioral Health from Penn State University. Of her choice to enroll, Sherry explains: “I felt PA College could provide me the education to be a successful nurse, and since my journey began in 2018, doors have continued to open for me.”
Gissellie Ortiz’s academic career started at Alvernia University in her hometown of Reading, Pennsylvania where she earned a bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine. After working for three years as a surgical technician at the Animal Rescue League of Berks County, Gissellie decided to pursue new educational opportunities at PA College. “I had to stretch myself fairly thin to reach my educational/professional goals,” she notes – working approximately 36 hours a week as a unit secretary/patient care assistant at Lancaster General Hospital while enrolled full-time in our Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. Yet Gissellie’s hard work paid off; she received both the Academic Excellence and Clinical Excellence Awards at graduation. She was also inducted into the Lambda Nu national honor society for radiologic and imaging services. Gissellie adds: “With the continued support of my parents and now fiancé, managing my time well, maintaining a good study pattern and doing my absolute best to find sleep where I could, I made it through my studies and have achieved my goals.”