We’re proud of the ambitions and accomplishments of our students and alumni – learn some of their stories in our monthly feature:
Alumni Spotlight
Lori Flowers ‘20
Cardiovascular Invasive Specialty program
Many of our students cite the health care experiences of loved ones (or their own) as the inspiration for pursing a career in the field. Lori Flowers chose her professional path after the death of her father in 2016. Thanks to his generous organ donation, a critically ill patient received her father’s heart. Lori had the opportunity to first exchange letters, and later meet, the man whose life was saved by this heart transplant. “Hearing his journey inspired me to work in the cardiac field,” shares Lori.
After attending Harrisburg Area Community College for a time as a nursing major, Lori made the switch to PA College’s Cardiovascular Invasive Specialty program. She valued our strictly health care focus and fast-paced environment, but ultimately Lori’s favorite quality of her program was its small size, which allowed her to form close bonds with her peers during classwork and clinicals. Lori completed her clinical rotations at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Muhlenberg and Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. She participated in a variety of procedures, including heart catheterizations for both adults and children, transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVRs), peripheral catheterizations, heart biopsies and a few electrophysiology (EP) studies. While she enjoyed the range of work in the cardiac cath lab, Lori is especially drawn to working in Pediatrics. “I have always loved working with kids and taking care of them,” she adds.
Lori lives in Ephrata with her four-year-old child. In her free time, she enjoys bowling, a hobby since she was seven years old. Lori earned her Associate’s degree this summer and is excited to put her knowledge into practice, working in her field.
Rose Henry ’84 ’14, RN, MSN, CNOR
Clinical Administrator, Physician’s Surgery Center, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health
Rose (Krow) Henry’s college career began with dual enrollment in the Lancaster General Hospital School of Nursing (now PA College) and Franklin & Marshall College. She earned both her nursing diploma and an Associate’s degree in 1984. After a start in Pediatrics, Rose switched to surgical nursing, first working at Holy Spirt Hospital in Camp Hill, before joining the open heart surgery team at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health. After six years, Rose became OR Charge Nurse on the 3-11 shift, the first of numerous leadership roles in the years to follow. In 2011, Rose returned to PA College, receiving her program’s Outstanding Graduate award upon earning her BSN degree in 2014. To further her surgical expertise, she also obtained her Certification in OR Nursing (CNOR) the following year. Rose credits her PA College experience with giving her the confidence and skills to pursue her Master’s degree in Nursing Education, which she earned from Capella University in 2019.
In her current role as Clinical Administrator at the LGH Physician’s Surgery Center, Rose oversees an 86-member clinical team, responsible for approximately 1,200 surgical cases per month in a multi-specialty environment. She describes leading her staff through the current COVID-19 pandemic as an unprecedented time in her 36-year nursing career. Rose shares: “During this time, the ability to adapt to changes was sometimes needed on an hourly basis. I have had to make some tough decisions based on my prior experiences in leadership as the Center ramped down to an Emergent/Urgent surgical schedule and back up to running at 110-115% capacity once elective surgeries could proceed again. I am fortunate to work with a group of professionals who have maintained a positive attitude throughout this time and who pride themselves in providing the best care possible to every patient who walks through our Center’s doors.”
Rose lives in southern Lancaster County, and enjoys spending time at her family’s coastal retreat in southern Delaware. She and her husband have four grown daughters, five grandsons and two “fur babies.” She enjoys anything involving the sun, water, and sand, baking (especially Christmas cookies), and traveling. Rose’s interests also include teaching, reading, lifelong learning and being the best mom and grandmother (“Gigi”) she can be. Rose also aspires to mentor the next generation of healthcare professionals and adds: “I am most proud of the relationships I have built with the people I have been lucky enough to work with and mentor along the way. Developing good relationships and mentoring the people you work with no matter what your role will serve you well at every stage of your career.”
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!
