Installation mass held to bless the tenure of new MCCN President

Bishop Earl Fernades presided over a mass to bless Dr. Todd Ambrosia and his work on behalf of the College on September 14, 2023. Representatives of all the College constituencies – students, faculty, staff, volunteer leaders, health system executives, community members and Foundation donors - were on hand to participate in and celebrate this occasion.

The upcoming LAMP - which will publish in January 2024 - will provide an in-depth profile of Dr. Ambrosia and his vision for the future of MCCN.

Scholarship Dinner connects students with Foundation donors

MCCN hosted its annual Scholarship and Donor Recognition Dinner on September 14, 2023. At this year’s event, 225 scholarships were provided. The total awarded was $542,737, with $483,737 coming directly through the Mount Carmel Foundation.

Foundation President Deanna Stewart also announced the establishment of the President’s Excellence Fund, for which a generous donor provided $20,000 in seed funding. “The fund may be used at the president’s discretion to invest in his highest emerging priorities,” said Stewart. “We’re excited to see how this philanthropic support will be used to advance and innovate nursing education, student experiences and achievement.”

Homecoming honors 1970 and 1973 classes

The MCAA Homecoming Celebration was held on September 30, 2023, at the Grand Event Center by the Courtyard by Marriott in Grandview. Alumni board members were on hand to greet the alumni as they arrived at the venue. This year, the 1973 Honor Class celebrated their 50th reunion since graduation. The Class of 1970 also was honored, since the Association was unable to gather three years ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

MCCN President Dr. Todd Ambrosia, MCHS CEO Lorraine Lutton, Mount Carmel Foundation President Deanna Stewart, and Marketing Manager Lori Berkheimer addressed the alumni and gave updates on what’s happening at the College, health system, philanthropy and marketing strategies for the College.

Look for more highlights of this year’s homecoming celebration in the next issue of the LAMP.

MCCN Ascent program offers new, faster pathway to BSN

The Ascent Program (advanced placement and LPN-BSN options) enables students with the right coursework to complete a BSN degree in as little as five semesters. For Licensed Practical Nurses or students who have earned prior science and humanities credits, Ascent provides a timely option for advancing to a higher degree, and brings more career, job and earning potential to graduates.

“This program supports those students who have already earned some science and humanities college credit or those who are already licensed practice nurses (LPNs) an ability to earn their BSN degree in as little as 5 semesters” says Program Director Samantha Schmitz, PhD, MSN, RN. “Launching the Ascent program is an exciting time for the College! The program provides an excellent opportunity for students to complete their BSN degree in a manner that recognizes their unique experiences and qualifications. The ability of MCCN to launch this program reflects an ongoing commitment to supporting the nursing workforce through high-quality pathways for timely degree completion.”

Learn more about the program, its advantages and admission requirements by visiting the College website.

Meet Celesta “Celeste” (Messerly) Schmelzer ’79, MSN, BSN, CNOR

Professional highlights

I spent my entire nursing career at Fairfield Medical Center (FMC) in Lancaster, Ohio. My career began, after graduating from Mount Carmel School of Nursing, as a staff nurse in the Coronary Care Unit. In 1987, I transitioned to Perioperative Services where I spent the next 19 years as staff nurse and preceptor in PACU and OR; as Perioperative Clinical Educator for all areas of the OR; and then as manager of Perioperative Services for five years.

In 2006, I was certified as a Six Sigma Black Belt. For the next 13 years, I was the Black Belt for many hospital quality and safety initiatives such as medication reconciliation; 30-day readmissions; bedside procedure charges; Modified Early Warning System (MEWS), appropriate level of care; multidisciplinary case review process; isolation clearance; handoffs and transitions; and primary care practitioner accuracy in EHR.

After being certified as a Six Sigma Master Black Belt/Process Improvement Coordinator, I taught the Six Sigma methodology throughout the FMC organization (FMC leadership; practitioners; community leaders; and family medicine and internal medicine residents) alongside Dr. Roche and Mike Tobin.

For the past five years, I worked as the Clinical Research Coordinator. FMC was dedicated to expanding its research program and providing the opportunity for patients to enroll in multidisciplinary research studies without having to go to a larger health care organization.

Under my leadership, FMC exponentially expanded clinical research trials. At any one time, there have been more than 20 active studies.

On September 1, 2023, I retired after 44 years of service.

Original hometown

Lancaster, Ohio

Current hometown

Bremen, Ohio

When did you first feel the call to be a nurse?

During high school, I worked as a candy striper (volunteer) at Fairfield County Hospital, now Fairfield Medical Center, from 1971-1975.

What television show do you have to DVR every week?

None. I generally don’t watch TV (unless it's college football) and never record shows.

What are your favorite memories of Mount Carmel?

There are several memories I’d like to share:

• The outstanding faculty--we received an excellent education that I felt was second to none. I knew that all of the studying and clinicals would be well worth it.
• Being a nursing student during the blizzard. The Student Nurses graciously assisted on nursing units for several days as staff could not make it in. I also remember the screens on the windows in the dormitory banging & swinging with the wind and snow. Very impressive!
• Study life was very different than today. Most students lived in the dorm, where strict curfews were observed.
• There were two landlines per dorm floor; phone calls were limited to 10 minutes. If a male called a nursing student, it was not unusual for the house mother to listen in to make sure "everything was above board". Of course, cell phones were non-existent. Male visitors were only permitted under the watchful eye of the house mothers in the Rec Room, and having a male in your dorm room was not permitted.
• Our blue and white student nurse uniform with our starched white cap once we obtained our cap in our junior year.

What book is currently on your nightstand (or at the top of your e-reader favorites)?

"Led by Faith--Rising from Ashes of the Rwandan Genocide," by Immaculee Ilibagiza.

How has your Mount Carmel network helped you in your life, personally or professional or both?

Mount Carmel fortified my Catholic faith both in my personal and professional life. Holistic nursing, e.g., healing the whole person as its goal, which was imbedded within our nursing instruction, provided the foundation for caring for the whole person. In all of the various paths I've taken in my nursing career, caring for the whole person meant taking into account mind, body and soul, culture, socioeconomic background and environment when delivering care.

What advice would you like to share with other nurses as they move from student to alumni of Mount Carmel?

Never stop learning! Always open your mind and heart to nursing opportunities. There are so many out there. If you would have told me 40+ years ago that I would have been a Master Black Belt/Process Improvement Coordinator or and Clinical Research Coordinator, I would have said "no way...you are off your rocker!"

MCCN graduate degree programs enrolling now

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) Program

The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) Program is designed for registered nurses who are ready to pursue graduate education that will lead to an acute care focused, advanced practice nursing role.

• Completion in 18 months over five semesters, 48 credit hours/ 650 clinical hours
• Application deadline for Spring Cohort, All Tracks: November 30

For more information about the AG-ACNP enrollment requirements and application, visit our program page.

Master of Science Program Nursing Leadership - Clinical Operations

The Master of Science Program Nursing Leadership - Clinical Operations is an online program that focuses on developing core leadership skills of practicing nurses and prepares them to act and think strategically, lead organizations through improvement and innovation efforts while participating in policy decisions.

• Completion in 18 months over five semesters, 33 credit hours/150 practicum hours
• Application deadline for Spring Cohort, All Tracks: November 30

For more information about the program, enrollment requirements, and application, visit our program page.

Meet Chloe Troyer ’23, BSN

Professional highlights

I just joined the profession earlier this year, so am looking forward to professional highlights. During my time at MCCN, earning the Dr. Ann E. Schiele Caring Award at graduation was the highlight.

Original and current hometown

Plain City, Ohio

When did you first feel the call to be a nurse?

I have wanted to be a nurse since I was little and I couldn't imagine myself doing anything else. I’ve always loved helping and taking care of people. I knew I wanted a job that would make a difference in someone's life.

What television show do you have to DVR every week?

I always am watching Grey's Anatomy or Emergency NYC.

What is your favorite memory of Mount Carmel?

Honestly, my favorite memories are any time I spent with my friends. The friends you meet in nursing school are the friends you will have for the rest of your life. I think one of my favorites, outside of all of my friends, would be graduating, just because nursing school is hard.

What book is currently on your nightstand (or at the top of your e-reader favorites)?

One of my favorite books is “Atomic Habits,” by James Clear.

How has your Mount Carmel network helped you in your life, personally or professional or both?

Mount Carmel grads are highly sought after... so it was able to help me get my dream job as a new grad in the NICU.

What advice would you like to share with other nurses as they move from student to alumni of Mount Carmel?

Nursing is a career that has both highs and lows, and no day will be the same. You are a continual learner and be patient with yourself because it does take time. Never consider yourself as just a nurse, you are so much more. It is very rewarding and highly worth it.