Alumni Spotlights
A Pioneer in Palliative Care
When Patrick Coyne, ’82, was a teenager, he was in a car accident that broke his leg and put him in traction for several weeks. During that time, he grew to appreciate the nurses who took care of him, an appreciation that led him to pursue a career as a nurse, himself.Coyne, who worked as an...
More →Providing Leadership in a Pandemic
When asked what his initial reaction was when he first heard that Catholic Health would be transferring all its COVID-positive patients to its St. Joseph’s campus, where he is a nurse manager in telemetry, ICU and dialysis, John LaForge’s response was slightly unexpected.“I was proud that they...
More →Lights, camera, action! Wheatfield native publishes book on making it in Hollywood
Actress, comedian and, most importantly, a Wheatfield native, Meghan Deanna Smith, ’12, always knew that she was supposed to be an actor.“My parents don’t even know why. Ever since I was little and could speak, I just always said ‘I’m going to be an actor,’ even before I really knew what...
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Sending Hope to Cancer Patients
What if there was a shot that cured cancer?If the technology co-developed by Dr. Michael Ciesielski, ’93, proves as effective as current clinical trials suggest, a vaccine to treat one of the most common and aggressive forms of primary brain cancer might be available in just a few years.Dr....
More →Eric Hall, ’99, Provides Patient Care Through Technology
When Eric Hall, ’99, joined NurseGrid a year and a half ago as vice president of professional services and customer success, he had no way of knowing that the app, which was created in 2013 to streamline communication, staffing, and scheduling in nursing departments, would become a crucial way for...
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Pyjama Patrol Offers Security, Comfort, Warmth, and Love to Children in Need
It was a cold winter night back in the days when the Festival of Lights was a popular Christmastime attraction in Niagara Falls. Thinking the seasonal display would provide an ideal outing for children from the Center for Joy, an after-school support program for inner-city kids, Sister Mary Francis...
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Nicole Sandford, BBA’92: Empowering Board Diversity
In the early 2000s, when the Enron scandal brought the concept of corporate governance to the forefront, Nicole (Silsby) Sandford, ’92, and her colleagues at Deloitte & Touche LLP were taking steps to become the thought leaders in that space. “It wasn’t intended to be a new career,” said...
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Natalie Dickerson, B.S.’13: Sharing an Ancient Art with the World
Natalie Dickerson, B.S.’13, came to Niagara University to study hospitality and tourism management, planning to someday work for a prestigious hotel and travel the world. But it wasn’t until after she graduated that she found her true calling.After a few years working in hotels, first for the...
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Lisa Kurbiel, ’89: An Influencer for Social Good
Lisa Kurbiel, ’89, grew up in North Tonawanda, the only child of a father who served as the town’s plumbing inspector and a mother who was a travel agent. Their Polish, Catholic traditions formed the foundation for a happy childhood spent in the Polish American community of that small Western...
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Alexis Wayne, ’13, M.S.’15: Pursuing a Sporting Career
Alexis Wayne’s experience as a student-athlete at Niagara University, coupled with her undergraduate and graduate degrees in sport management, has given her a well-rounded background for her current position as associate commissioner for women’s basketball and Olympic sports for the Metro...
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