Something spooky is happening at Marywood University...

This Halloween, Inside Marywood Health Sciences is taking a mysterious turn!

When seven departments within the College of Health Sciences can't seem to agree on how to work together, a series of strange events sends students on an unexpected adventure.

A mysterious patient with no heartbeat. A computer with a mind of its own. Whispering voices echoing through the hallways. And a shadowy figure running through campus...

Who — or what — is the Midnight Pacer?

Join host Samantha Miko for a special Halloween storytelling episode as students from Nursing, Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Physician Assistant, Science, Math and Computer Science, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Psychology and Counseling, Social Work, and Health, Nutrition and Exercise Science put their skills to the test.

Along the way, they'll discover that solving a mystery, much like working in healthcare, takes more than one area of expertise.

Seven departments. Seven unique perspectives. One College of Health Sciences.

Because the future of healthcare isn't built by one profession. It's built together.

Turn down the lights, grab your Halloween candy, and enjoy The Midnight Pacer, a completely fictional Marywood Halloween mystery!

Happy Halloween from Inside Marywood Health Sciences! 🎃

What does it really take to prepare the next generation of social workers?

In this episode of Inside Marywood Health Sciences, Samantha sits down with Dr. Michelle Ostroski, Assistant Professor and Director of MSW Field Education at Marywood University, to explore the important role field education plays in helping students make the transition from the classroom to professional practice.

Whether you're considering a career in social work, currently preparing for field education, or part of a community organization interested in mentoring future professionals, this conversation offers a look at how classroom learning becomes meaningful, hands-on experience.

This Week’s CHS Check-In

Before the conversation, we’re also catching up on what’s happening around the College of Health Sciences, including CHS faculty members moving with purpose through running, cycling, and fitness events; celebrating Physician Assistant Week and the PA Program’s commitment to community service through Laundry Love; and recognizing a Nursing student selected for the AICUP McLean Scholarship.

Connect with Marywood CHS

Follow Social Work at @marywooduniversityssw

Follow the College of Health Sciences on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @MarywoodUniversityCHS

Learn more about the College of Health Sciences: marywood.edu/healthsciences

Artificial intelligence is changing the way we learn, work, communicate, and interact with the world around us—but what can psychology teach us about navigating these changes?

In the first installment of our new Faculty Focus series, host Samantha Miko sits down with Dr. Randi Spiker, Assistant Professor in Marywood University’s Psychology and Counseling Department, to explore technology through the lens of human behavior and development.

Dr. Spiker’s research examines how technology—including generative AI—affects human development, health, and well-being, with a particular focus on adolescents and emerging adults. Her work also explores digital safety, technology-facilitated violence, and the ways our increasingly digital world shapes our experiences and relationships.

In this episode, Dr. Spiker discusses her journey into developmental science, common misconceptions surrounding AI, and the opportunities and concerns that come with emerging technology. She and Samantha also explore responsible AI use in education, where we might draw the line between AI supporting our thinking and replacing it, and why understanding ourselves may be just as important as understanding the technology itself.

Plus, Dr. Spiker shares insight into her own research, including work surrounding nonconsensual sharing of intimate images, well-being, digital safety, and technology-facilitated violence.

Learn More & Connect with Dr. Randi Spiker

🌐 Dr. Randi Spiker: randispiker.com 📱 DIVA Psych Lab on Instagram: @diva_psych_lab 📖 Book Chapter/Resource: Navigating Your PhD — navigatingyourphd.com

To learn more about Marywood University’s College of Health Sciences, visit marywood.edu/healthsciences.

Follow the College of Health Sciences on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube @MarywoodUniversityCHS for new episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and the latest from around the College.

CHS Check-In:

-Mountain Top Counseling and the PA Play Therapy Association - October 3rd

-First Week of October is PA Week

-Psy.D Program Virtual Information Session - October 5th

If you're studying for a career in healthcare, you may already have a pretty good idea of what comes after graduation. But getting a job and building a successful, sustainable professional life are two very different things.

In this episode of Inside Marywood Health Sciences, host Samantha Miko sits down with Brii Florovito and Nick Moore from Marywood University Career Services to talk about why career development matters, even when you're entering a high-demand profession.

Together, they explore everything from evaluating your first job offer and negotiating salary to workplace culture, benefits, networking, LinkedIn, professional identity, and finding an employer that truly fits your goals and values.

You'll also hear why your career doesn't have to follow a straight line, how Career Services can support students throughout their entire Marywood experience, and why preparing for life after college is about so much more than landing that first job.

Connect with Career Services:

Website

Brii Florovito - bflorovito@marywood.edu

Nick Moore - nmoore@marywood.edu

Career Portal

CHS Check-In:

PsyD Student Success

Speech Language Audiology Clinic

Laundry Love Event, Text or Call for an Appointment: 570-589-7010

Stay connected with the College of Health Sciences: Instagram, Facebook & YouTube: @MarywoodUniversityCHS and Learn more: marywood.edu/healthsciences

Subscribe to Inside Marywood Health Sciences wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.

Respiratory therapists help patients breathe easier, but where can a career in respiratory therapy take you next?

In this episode of Inside Marywood Health Sciences, host Samantha Miko sits down with Sarah Dalton, Director of Clinical Education, and Jonelle Vinton, Program Director, from Marywood University’s Respiratory Therapy program to explore the profession, the value of continuing education, and why earning a bachelor’s degree can be about so much more than adding another credential.

Sarah and Jonelle share their own journeys into respiratory therapy, discuss the many roles respiratory therapists play across healthcare settings, and take a closer look at how the profession continues to evolve.

The conversation also explores Marywood’s RRT-to-BSRT program and what returning to school can look like for working respiratory therapists. From developing leadership skills and expanding career opportunities to preparing for the future of the profession, Sarah and Jonelle discuss how continuing your education can help you take the next step in your respiratory therapy career.

Whether you’re considering a career in respiratory therapy, currently studying to become an RT, or you’re already an RRT thinking about what comes next, this conversation is for you.

Learn more about Respiratory Therapy at Marywood University: https://www.marywood.edu/respiratory-therapy-RRT-to-bachelors-degree

Follow Marywood Respiratory Therapy:

Instagram: @marywoodrespiratorytherapy

Facebook: @MarywoodUniversityRespiratoryTherapy

Connect with the College of Health Sciences: Instagram, Facebook & YouTube: @MarywoodUniversityCHS

CHS Check-In:

Marywood Alumni Events

Paint the Planet Pink

NSSLHA Chapter of the Year

Also, don't forget to stop by the courtyard behind the O’Neill Family Center Wednesday, September 16th from 12:00–4:00 PM the Nursing Department will be hosting a FREE BBQ for all students, no registration needed. Food will be available on a first come, first served basis. We’ll have hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and soda, along with a gift card raffle at 2pm. It will be a fun opportunity for students to meet and connect with other Health Science majors! Students can stop by to grab a bite between classes, listen to music, play some outdoor games, or bring a blanket and hang out in the courtyard with us for a while.

Learn more about Marywood University’s College of Health Sciences at marywood.edu/healthsciences.

What happens behind the scenes before a Physician Assistant student ever steps foot into a clinical rotation?

In this episode of Inside Marywood Health Sciences, we're kicking off our new mini-series, Beyond the Classroom: Clinical Connections, exploring the people, partnerships, and preparation that help turn classroom learning into real-world healthcare experience.

Host Samantha Miko sits down with members of Marywood University's Physician Assistant Program — Al, Kara, Lindsey, and Mel — to talk about the work that goes into creating meaningful clinical experiences for PA students.

From identifying and building relationships with clinical sites to matching students with rotations, supporting preceptors, and preparing students for their clinical year, our guests give listeners a behind-the-scenes look at a side of PA education many people never get to see.

Interested in Becoming a Clinical Site?

📧 Contact: paprogram@marywood.edu

🌐 Learn more about Marywood's PA Program: https://www.marywood.edu/academics/pa-program

Follow the Marywood PA Program:

📸 Instagram: @marywoodpaprogram

Stay Connected with the College of Health Sciences:

Follow @MarywoodUniversityCHS on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for more stories, behind-the-scenes content, and upcoming episodes of Inside Marywood Health Sciences.

Learn more about Marywood University's College of Health Sciences at marywood.edu/healthsciences.

Subscribe to Inside Marywood Health Sciences wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss the next episode.

Season 2, Episode 2: Mission in Action

What does Marywood’s mission look like in action, and what does it have to do with healthcare?

In this episode of Inside Marywood Health Sciences, host Samantha Miko sits down with Sr. Rachel Terry, IHM, Director of Campus Ministry, for a conversation about mission, service, compassion, community, and caring for the whole person.

Sr. Rachel shares her own journey to Marywood and gives listeners a closer look at the many ways Campus Ministry supports students, faculty, and staff. Together, they explore how Marywood’s values extend beyond the classroom and into the work our students will one day do as healthcare professionals.

From developing empathy and compassion to navigating stress, grief, and challenging moments, this conversation reminds us that healthcare is about more than clinical knowledge—it’s about caring for people with dignity, respect, and humanity.

Plus, hear about the retreats, service opportunities, faith experiences, and community-building programs available through Campus Ministry, and why you don’t have to belong to a particular faith tradition to find a place there.

In this episode:

• Meet Sr. Rachel Terry, IHM
• Discover what Campus Ministry offers the Marywood community
• Explore the connection between Marywood’s mission and healthcare
• Hear why compassion, empathy, and service matter in every healthcare profession
• Learn how students can find community, support, and a sense of belonging on campus
• Find ways to put Marywood’s mission into action

Connect with Campus Ministry:

Want to learn more, get involved, or connect with Sr. Rachel and the Campus Ministry team?

📍 Swartz Center for Spiritual Life 🌐 marywood.edu/campus-ministry

Instagram: @marywood.camp.min

Connect with the College of Health Sciences

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube @MarywoodUniversityCHS for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and future episodes.

Learn more about the College of Health Sciences at marywood.edu/healthsciences.

Subscribe to Inside Marywood Health Sciences wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.

Real voices. Real stories. Real Marywood.

In the first episode of Season 2, Samantha Miko welcomes Dr. Jennifer Barna, Professor and Program Coordinator, and Dr. Mindy Farley, Assistant Professor of Practice, from Marywood University's Counseling Program.

Together, they explore what counseling really is, how it differs from psychology, and what it takes to become a professional counselor. From classroom learning to practicum experiences, Jenn and Mindy share how Marywood prepares students to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals, families, schools, and communities.

Before the conversation begins, Samantha also introduces the brand-new CHS Check-In, highlighting exciting accomplishments from across the College of Health Sciences, including multiple 100% board examination pass rates, a new Physics Lab, new faculty, and the newest class of Pacers joining Marywood.

Whether you're considering a career in counseling, interested in mental health, or simply curious about the people shaping the future of healthcare, this episode is for you.

Connect with the College of Health Sciences: Instagram, Facebook & YouTube: @MarywoodUniversityCHS

Learn more about Marywood's College of Health Sciences: marywood.edu/healthsciences

Learn more about Marywood's Counseling Program: jbarna@maryu.marywood.edu or https://www.marywood.edu/academics/psychology-counseling or Instagram: @marywood_counseling

Inside Marywood Health Sciences Real voices. Real stories. Real Marywood.