“From the dental field to the frontlines of healthcare, my journey to becoming a nurse wasn’t easy—but it was worth every step.

As a mom of two, balancing school, work, and family, life was a challenge. But at Ģ����ý, I found more than an education—I found a community that believed in me. With the support of my professors, classmates, and family, I pushed through the long nights and self-doubt to earn my degree.

I’m proud to have served as Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa and to have made the Dean’s List. But most of all, I am proud to be a Trocaire graduate, ready to make a difference in the lives of others.

Thank you, Trocaire, for helping me turn my passion into purpose.”

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has partnered with Finger Lakes Performing Provider System (FLPPS) on the Career Pathways Training (CPT) Program, a state-funded program designed to address workforce shortages in health, behavioral health, and social care sectors across New York State, and aims to build a diverse and skilled workforce capable of serving New York’s most vulnerable populations.

Through this program, tuition and education-related expenses, including textbooks, most supplies, and other academic fees— are covered after financial aid is applied for eligible participants to pursue education and training in one of 13 high-demand health, behavioral health, or social care roles. Support services are also available to participants to ensure academic success.

Programs offered at Trocaire include licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, registered nurse to bachelor’s degree in nursing, and medical assisting. 

“Trocaire always strives to be the opportunity college that provides all available resources for student success and by partnering with New York State we can help to remove the financial barriers that some students face when seeking to enter careers in healthcare,” said Dr. Bassam Deeb, president, Ģ����ý. “The CPT Program complements Trocaire’s mission to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow to meet the needs of the community. Since introducing the CPT Program in the spring 2025 semester, we have had 20 students who have either started or advanced their healthcare studies and we look forward to extending this opportunity to additional eligible students this fall.”

The CPT Program is open to new academic students and offers pathways for both individuals entering the health, behavioral health, and social care workforce for the first time, and current workers seeking career advancement.

As part of the program, participants are required to complete their education and training by Spring 2027 and then commit to three years of full-time employment with a New York State Medicaid-enrolled provider that serves at least 30 percent of Medicaid members and/or uninsured individuals. This service commitment must be completed by 2031.

“We’re proud to support individuals who are eager to enter or advance in the health workforce but may face financial or social barriers to do so,” said Carol Tegas, CEO of FLPPS. “The CPT Program is about more than education—it’s about equity, opportunity, and meeting the real needs of our communities. Our partnership with Ģ����ý helps ensure that talented, committed individuals can access meaningful careers, while we build a stronger, more resilient health workforce for the long term.”

The CPT Program also offers robust support services to help participants thrive—ranging from program readiness and educational case management to ongoing academic support, career coaching, and job placement assistance. These services help participants successfully transition from education to employment and provide continued support throughout their three-year service commitment.

For more details on the program including eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit . Deadline to apply for the CPT Program for the fall 2025 semester at Ģ����ý is August 11, 2025. Deadline to apply for the 2026 spring semester is December 1, 2025.

Individuals must apply for the CPT Program through the Workforce Investment Organization (WIO) that serves the county in which they have permanent residency. The FLPPS region covers Western NY, the Finger Lakes, and a portion of the Southern Tier. Learn more about the .

The post Ģ����ý Partners with Finger Lakes Performing Provider System (FLPPS) to Strengthen New York’s Health, Behavioral Health, and Social Care Workforce appeared first on About.

Ģ����ý is celebrated for its friendly atmosphere, quality education, and accessible admissions process. Paula Leszak, an alumna, clinical instructor, and current student, exemplifies the transformative power of education at Trocaire.

Before her nursing career, Paula utilized her degrees in psychology and public administration in various leadership roles. She fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse by enrolling in Trocaire’s evening AAS RN Nursing program, graduating in 2012. She then completed her MSN and obtained certifications as an Adult Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

With a background in primary care and addiction medicine, Paula is now expanding her skills by adding massage therapy to her repertoire and is set to graduate in May 2025. As a clinical instructor, she shares her knowledge and experiences with nursing students, highlighting the collaborative and nurturing environment at Trocaire.

Reflecting on her journey, Paula emphasizes the importance of Trocaire in shaping her career and personal growth. She encourages anyone with a desire to learn to explore Trocaire’s programs, praising the college for its supportive community and commitment to student success.

The post Spring 2025 Alumni Spotlight: Paula Leszak, ANP, PMHNP, ’12, ’25 appeared first on About.

Congratulations to Trocaire Alumna, Dr. Susan Stocker ’78 on the dedication of Susan J. Stocker Hall at Kent State Ashtabula.

Dr. Stocker retired from Kent State Ashtabula in 2022 after more than 30 years of service to the university. She led the campus as Dean and Chief Administrative Officer for 21 years and was the longest-serving dean in Kent State’s history at the time of her retirement.

Dr. Stocker’s enduring legacy of compassion, service, education, and action embodies the cherished Mercy values of Catherine McAuley. The Trocaire community is proud to have Susan as an alumna. You can read Dr. Stocker’s full article from the or watch the recording of the .

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Name: Melissa Archer, PMHNP-BC, MSN, BSN
Grad Year: 2000
Program: Nursing
Title: Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner,

Originally published January 21, 2021 — Updated September 2024

In Her Own Words:
Like many high school graduates, I attended college with aspirations. I had hoped to become a physician, join the military and travel the world. However, the universe had different plans and I ended up a divorced mother of two wonderful daughters. Although, I did join the military and went to college, my other aspirations were on hold.

While working a factory job and living paycheck to paycheck, one day I heard about Ģ����ý on the radio. Nursing seemed like an interesting avenue to explore, and I would finally be able to enter the medical profession and help people. I wondered how I would juggle being an active parent, paying bills, and complete this RN program, but took a leap of faith and jumped right in!

Luckily, Sister Marian Mullen, the Dean of Students at the time, was there to help me every step of the way. She was such a support, and it was a turning point in my life. Sister Marian took the time to listen and encouraged me to apply for scholarship support. As a single mom, the scholarship I earned and the family-like atmosphere at Trocaire helped me excel and complete the RN program.

The clinical instructors I worked with thoroughly prepared me for real-life nursing. Throughout my two-decade career as a RN, I could always tell who a Trocaire graduate was—they have compassion down to a science. After Trocaire, I earned my BSN and MSN & currently practice as a Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at SENSES Medical Wellness, PLLC at 360 Genesee Street (on the corner of Genesee and Hickory St.), my family’s medical practice on the Eastside of Buffalo. It’s surreal to go from such humble beginnings, and not only succeed but come back to the same street I grew up on and help others do the same! My goal is to be a change agent in everything I do, while also highlighting the importance of mental health. In doing so, others will be helped to find the best versions of their selves, their families and their communities.

To this end, I lead a 21 person FEMA funded Crisis Counseling Program helping Erie County residents, primarily in the inner city mentally and emotionally cope with the fallout of COVID and then the TOPS massacre on 5/14/2022. Additionally, I worked as a maternal/fetal community education specialist and taught parenting classes and educational seminars, helping parents dealing with challenging circumstances

Additionally, in 2023, I co-founded and is the lead consultant for the Black Women’s Wellness Village of Buffalo, whose mission is to address health inequities for women of color through a radical reimagining of the healthcare experience. by listening and using their voices to advocate, educate and ultimately open a wellness center for women.

Melissa is a US. Army National Guard veteran and has been awarded numerous awards and accolades. Most recently the Black Achievers Award, Distinguished Trocaire Alumni Award & NAACP Presidential Award. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, an international honor nursing society and a current scholar participant of Sigma’s Virtual Mini-Academy: Global Advocacy

She is a board member of Mental Health Advocates of WNY, Crisis Services, Mount Mercy Board of Trustees and Women’s Health Broadcast Board. She is an Open Buffalo Emerging Leader Graduate and on the advisory board. She is the Vice President of the Buffalo Chapter of Girl Friends, Inc.

Thinking back over 20 years ago, Melissa states, “I never would have imagined a Trocaire commercial would have so positively transformed my life. My advice to anyone looking for a better life or career change: look no further than Trocaire. No matter your focus, do it and now! For those of you already working or new to your profession, do self-care every day and make sure your physical and mental health are healthy. Especially during these challenging times of a pandemic and political and social unrest. It is important to check in, so we don’t check out!” Trocaire means everything to me—it is where my start began. My education gave me the personal fortitude, voice, and confidence to make a better life for me and my family. I will always carry on Trocaire’s Mercy values in everything I do and hope to serve as inspiration for the next generation of healthcare professionals.”

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Name: Thomas J. Bubar
Grad Year: 1975
Program: AAS Nursing

Veteran of the Month and Outstanding Alumnus, year after year!

In July  2021, Congressman Chris Jacobs named Thomas Bubar Veteran of the Month.

“Tom served our nation honorably in the Vietnam War and provided preventative medical care to his fellow service members, for which he earned numerous medals,” Jacobs said.

In November, Tom was also presented with the Vietnam War Veteran Pin by Congressman Brian Higgins.  Following his military service, Tom came back to Western New York to serve our community, and would later go on to teach Nursing and Medical Assisting to the next generation.

After completing a degree in Sociology at Millard Fillmore College (now SUNY Buffalo), Tom came to Trocaire for his Nursing degree, and a few years later, received his Master’s Degree in Nursing from UB.

Thanks to his dedication as a revered Nursing and Medical Assisting Instructor, hundreds of students have followed in his path.

“Growing up, I always wanted to be a teacher. I enlisted in the Army in 1970. After basic training and medical training, and after serving stateside for nine months, I was sent to Vietnam. While in the Army, I was introduced to the medical field. I served as a preventative medicine technician where I sprayed for mosquitos in Vietnam, tested water quality, and inspected the sanitary conditions of our care center. I also helped my fellow servicemen by performing preventative medical procedures.”

Bubar is grateful that Trocaire opened up doors for him.  In a recent interview, Tom shared his heartfelt gratitude:  “ Trocaire opened doors for me; it represents hope and faith to me. They were very helpful with Veterans’ benefits and I remember having really great instructors. Back in 1975 there was even a basketball team! I played guard and we came in 4^th place in the Medaille Centennial.”

But Tom’s devotion to his alma mater did not stop on the basketball court.  A former member of the Alumni Council and loyal donor for over 40 years, Tom is also a member of the Sr. Barbara Ciarico Legacy Society.  He has generously arranged to support scholarship funds for male Nursing and Medical Assisting students through his estate plans.

“After Vietnam, I decided to pursue the medical field because I knew I would always have a job and I enjoyed helping people.If it hadn’t been for Trocaire, I wouldn’t be where I am today.  I’ve put three children through college and they are all contributing to society as a teacher, a product manager and a CPA because I was able to provide them with an education. 

Tom may have been recognized as Veteran of the Month, but at Trocaire, we consider him an outstanding alumnus, year after year!  Congratulations, Tom!

The post February Alumni Spotlight: Thomas J. Bubar ’75 appeared first on About.

Name: Isadore A. De Marco MSN, LNHA
Grad Year: 1993
Program: AAS Nursing
Current title & position: Administrator,  Continuing Care Retirement Community

What drew you to a career in healthcare/nursing?

I had family members that were licensed nurses and great role models, and I always had an interest in pursuing a career in the healthcare field. My original goal was to become a registered nurse and then a nurse practitioner. I completed my Nurse Practitioner licensure in 1999, and then went on a recommendation from a friend and mentor to pursue a license in Healthcare Administration, which I completed in 2004, receiving my Nursing Home Administrator licensure.  

Describe your Trocaire experience. What does Trocaire mean to you?

Trocaire was a wonderful experience and the foundation on which I was able to build my career. Receiving my first degree (AAS Nursing) allowed me to obtain my first job in healthcare, a charge nurse with the McGuire Group at Seneca Manor Healthcare Facility, which I worked the first 4 years of my career. Trocaire was a wonderful learning environment, with faculty that cared about you and your success in the program. There was a sense of family, which made learning both exciting and rewarding. On a side note, I met my beautiful wife of 22 years at Ģ����ý in the RN program.  

What do you do now, and why do you love it?

I have been a nursing home administrator for 17 years. Being a nurse first and foremost, I enjoy helping and caring for individuals in need. Working with the elderly is very rewarding, knowing each day that you are making a true difference in someone’s life. I also love being part of a team that provides and strives each day for excellence in care for our residents. I have been the administrator at Canterbury Woods for 14 years. We have a great interdisciplinary team—it starts with our certified nursing assistants and licensed nurses, and extends to the vital services our ancillary departments provide as well.   

Any advice you’d like to share with soon-to-be or new nurses?

Work hard each and every day, stay focused and most importantly, find your niche, as a career in nursing offers so many possibilities!  

The post October Alumni Spotlight: Isadore A. De Marco ’93, MSN, LNHA appeared first on About.

What led you to the Nursing Program at Trocaire?

I have always wanted to work in healthcare since I was a little girl. When starting college, I wanted a fast track to get into the field and start my career. Trocaire was that route for me. I completed my prerequisites prior to applying, and so the 2-year registered nursing program was what was next on my checklist to complete for my career.

Describe your Trocaire experience. What does Trocaire mean to you?

Graduating from Trocaire was truly an accomplishment. If you talk to any nurse, regardless of school, it is tough. Thankfully, I did have some great faculty and staff support throughout my education who I still keep in touch with now.

What do you do now, and why do you love it?

I am a registered nurse on the at BestSelf. An ACT team provides mobile intensive treatment and support to people with psychiatric disabilities. This position is everything I have been looking for since first graduating nursing school. For some clients, we are their only support, which makes our job very rewarding.

What do you find fascinating about the mental health field specifically?

Mental health is so interesting to me and always has been.  You see so many different presentations of mental illness when working in the field, and it just fascinates me more than medical diagnoses. The brain is such a powerful organ– by studying and working in mental health you’ll never run out of new things to learn about it.

Any advice you like to share to new nurses or someone interested in Trocaire?

To anyone interested in nursing or newer nurses, give everything a shot. Explore a bit in each specialty, especially in clinicals or whenever you’re able, as you might not know how much you enjoy something. Or, you could be dead set on a specialty and end up hating it in clinicals. There are so many options for nursing careers, from work-from-home insurance options to surgical nursing to cosmetic nursing. Find your niche—this will help you thrive. Nursing is a hard career and a lot of work but it is so rewarding and enjoyable when you find the part of healthcare you enjoy.

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Name: Stacy Bastian, BSN, RN, LNHA
Graduation Year: 2008 (AAS); 2012 (Bachelor’s)
Program: Nursing
Current Title: Administrator, Absolute Care Aurora Park, RCA Healthcare

What led you to the Nursing program at Trocaire? Why did you want to explore the healthcare field?

In high school, I thought I wanted to be a teacher. I ended up going to nursing school because a friend did. As a result, I developed a true passion for the healthcare field.   After working as an LPN for 13 years, I decided to go back for my RN. Trocaire was highly recommended due to there excellent reputation, student-to-teacher ratio and overall program. After graduating from the AAS program, Trocaire was my school of choice for obtaining my BSN as well because I was familiar with the quality of education and preparedness they provided.

Describe your Trocaire experience.

My experience at Trocaire was amazing. It pushed me to work hard, develop confidence and go after my dreams and aspirations.  I developed discipline and drive that has carried me in my career. Trocaire’s education provided a foundation of a commitment to excellence. I appreciate my time at Trocaire and frequently recommend the program. I am proud to say my daughter Victoria graduated from Trocaire’s RN program this past December.

What is the most important thing you took away from Trocaire? Were there any obstacles or challenges to obtaining your education?

The most important thing I took away from Trocaire is my love for being a nurse. It is a lifestyle. I take great pride in making a difference in the lives of others through nursing. Life is full of challenges and obstacles; Trocaire taught me that character is defined by how you respond to these challenges and obstacles. I also appreciate the role of being a mentor as Trocaire’s staff provided great motivation and leadership to the students.

What do you do now and why do you love it?

I am currently a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator for Absolute Care of Aurora Park. I assumed this role 2 weeks prior to the pandemic. It has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding roles I have had. I love this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the residents and families by establishing a foundation of excellence in care for this facility. I work with an amazing team that is committed to growth and demonstrates compassion to those they care for. It gives me great pride to provide the residents with dignity and respect when they are most vulnerable.

Any advice you would like to share to new nurses or someone interested in Trocaire?

I will tell you what I told my daughter Victoria when she was considering a career in nursing and an education at Trocaire.  Nursing school is not meant to be easy, in fact it will be one of the hardest things you will experience. The expectation of a nurse is to potentially have people’s lives in their hands. Trocaire will prepare you to be clinically sound, empathetic, and professional. They will support you and provide an atmosphere that promotes success. In the end, the result is a career in a field that provides a fulfillment that is truly priceless!

The post June Alumni Spotlight: Stacy Bastian ’08, ’12, BSN, RN, LNHA appeared first on About.

Name: Kellee Heaton, BSN, RN
Grad Year: 2016
Program: Nursing
Current Title: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurse,

1) What led you to the Nursing Program at Trocaire? Why did you want to explore the healthcare field?

After doing a semester at another college in another program and ultimately deciding that wasn’t for me, I looked into nursing. I always knew I wanted to be in healthcare, I just didn’t know what part would fit me best. I was interested in nursing because it had much more hands-on care than other parts of the medical field I looked into. What led me to Trocaire and their nursing program was the smaller size of the school and classes. They had lots of opportunities to get help from your teachers or tutors outside of class. Also being as small as it was, your professors knew you and always wanted to help if needed.

2) Describe your Trocaire experience. What does Trocaire mean to you?

My experience at Trocaire was great. I had great professors that actually cared about you and made sure you understood the content we were learning. Trocaire represents one of the hardest but most rewarding times in my life. I met one of my best friends there. We went through prerequisite classes and the nursing program together. We entered our careers together and are still great friends today.

3) What is the most important thing you took away from Trocaire? Were there any obstacles or challenges to obtaining your education?

The most important thing I took away from Trocaire is my love for my career and the critical thinking skills needed in nursing. From the first semester learning the very fundamentals of nursing to the fourth semester preparing for the NCLEX, my love for nursing grew. The biggest obstacle I had while I was obtaining my education was being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the end of my second semester in the nursing program. It was a huge lifestyle adjustment on top of the difficulty of nursing school. It was one of the hardest times in my life but I got through it. If anything, it gave me a better understanding of those going through illness.

4) What do you do now and why do you love it?

I am currently a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurse. I just recently made this change in my career, but I love what I am doing now. I love being able to help and comfort some of the smallest patients. It is also rewarding being able to comfort their parents through hard times when they are not always able to be with their children. I feel like I have found the area of nursing I was meant to be in.

5) Any advice you like to share to new nurses or someone interested in Trocaire?

The best advice I could give to new nurses is don’t give up because nursing, especially right now, is very overwhelming. There is a lot that you learn outside of and after nursing school. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and ask questions. Nursing is one of the hardest but most rewarding careers, and you can do so much in this field. For anyone interested in Trocaire I would say if you’re looking for small class sizes and a lot of support outside of the classroom, Trocaire is for you.

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