This spring, Wagner College nursing students Elizabeth Harrington and Noelle DeNome worked with other students in the Evelyn L. Spiro School of Nursing and the other health disciplines to develop wellness programs — in Spanish — for families at El Centro del Inmigrante, a member of Wagner College’s Port Richmond Partnership on Staten Island. Professors Margarita Sanchez and Nancy Cherofsky worked with the students to develop the wellness programs, which were well received by the families at El Centro. Topics included dental and oral care, maintaining a healthy liver, breast cancer awareness, healthy eating, and health insurance programs. The wellness programs will continue after Harrington and DeNome graduate this May — but, says Cherofsky, this duo will be sorely missed by all.

Special thanks to junior nursing students Ashley Cacares and Vanessa Ayllon for their Spanish translation skills, senior nursing students Stephanie Hopkins and Marcel Kaganovskaya for their volunteer efforts, pre-dental students Radislav Meylikh and Gregory Balaes for their toothbrush donations, anthropology and Spanish major Molly Delbridge for her counseling and help, and pre-med students Philip Fomina and Enri Citozi for their commitment to volunteer their time next semester. The wellness program could not have been a success were it not for the Wagner Health Sciences departments working together to make health a priority for the individuals at El Centro.

“Our students make me so proud,” said Professor Cherofsky.

IN PHOTO: Noelle DeNome, Stephanie Hopkins, Liz Harrington, Marcel Kaganovskaya teaching individuals at El Centro about caring for their liver and the functions of the liver (March 20)