Innovation in Healthcare Education leads to Optimal Patient Outcomes
During a disaster simulation this fall, undergraduate nursing students put their skills to the test as they tended to “victims” (fellow student actors) during a mock building collapse.
The simulation took place on the second floor of the new Frances M. Maguire ’55 Healthcare Innovation Center (HIC).
There, students moved victims from the “disaster site” to a simulated hospital setting across the hall.
From the Dr. Ellen and Mr. Eric Stang Nursing Simulation Coordinator’s Suite, nursing faculty monitored students through windows and computer screens so they could provide real-time feedback on the care students were giving patients. For one of the first simulations held in the new building, it flowed smoothly.
“What an impressive state-of-the art facility,” Dr. Stang said of the new building and nursing simulation wing, in particular. She had toured the building in late summer and attended its grand opening in September.
“It clearly speaks to GMercyU’s commitment to healthcare innovation. The classrooms and labs where students learn to apply their clinical knowledge very closely mimic what they will encounter in the hospital setting. It is very realistic. When students get to practice their skills in realistic settings like these, they’re better prepared for the real world of patient care. They’re more confident in their work which will lead to better patient outcomes.”
Better patient outcomes have been the motivation behind Dr. Stang’s entire career journey. She began her career first as a pediatrician in private practice and then transitioned into a role as a regional pediatric medical director at Keystone Mercy Health Plan (KMHP). KMHP is a healthplan which was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1982 to improve access to care for Medicaid members. Today it is known as AmeriHealth Caritas.
“I have always found the Sisters of Mercy and their work truly inspiring,” Dr. Stang said of the Sisters, who she described as remarkable. “No matter what challenges are going on in the world, they remain rooted in their faith and their mission. They’ve weathered many storms and continue to be a much-needed force for good in this world.”
At Keystone Mercy Health Plan and in her years in private practice, Dr. Stang saw firsthand the struggles of families of premature infants after their hospital discharge. Many were overwhelmed and having a hard time meeting their most basic needs. And so, Dr. Stang stepped into yet another new role — that of an entrepreneur — when she founded ProgenyHealth® in 2003 to proactively address these issues. More than 20 years later, it has grown into a leading healthcare company in the U.S. that supports maternal and infant health throughpersonalized care management, parental engagement, and physician collaboration. ProgenyHealth uniquely addresses the “whole person,” leading to healthier outcomes for families.
GMercyU’s approach to healthcare education that focuses on “whole patient” care is one of things that impressed Dr. Stang the most during her nine years as a board member at the University.
“Healthcare is a field that continues to require a workforce that’s highly educated and highly skilled,” said Dr. Stang. “The students at GMercyU are learning to care for patients holistically, while also carrying those core Mercy values with them into the working world. Empathy and compassion are as important to a patient’s recovery as the clinical care they receive is, and GMercyU graduates will continue to be well-prepared to deliver exceptional patient care to the lives they touch throughout their careers.
This article was originally published in the TODAY magazine Fall 2025 issue.
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