Naz clinics named RBJ 2022 Health Care Hero for innovation

The York Wellness and Rehabilitation Institute at Nazareth College is being recognized and honored as a model for health care innovation with its unique collaboration across health and human services academic programs and clinics that serve the Rochester region. 

Nazareth’s approach to interprofessional education — such as teaching students in music therapy and physical therapy to co-treat clients together — is transforming how students in health and allied health professions are prepared. Supervised by faculty, students provide collaborative care that is life-changing for individuals and communities. 

Rochester Business Journal has selected Nazareth College’s York Wellness and Rehabilitation Institute (YWRI) as a 2022 Health Care Hero in the Health Care Innovation category. Rochester Business Journal created Health Care Heroes to recognize excellence, promote innovation, and honor the efforts of organizations and individuals making a significant impact on the quality of health care in the Rochester area.

Cathy Rasmussen, interim dean of Nazareth’s School of Health & Human Services and director of the York Wellness & Rehabilitation Institute, says this honor showcases the innovative interprofessional education the YWRI provides to new generations of health and human services professionals. “Nazareth students are prepared for 21st century practice and leadership. In addition, leading-edge therapeutic and wellness services our students and faculty deliver are a great benefit to the Rochester community.” 

WXXI radio, Rochester’s national public radio (NPR) station, recently featured the work being done in the Parkinson’s clinic — one of Nazareth’s many clinics — in the YWRI on campus. Physical therapy students guide the clients through exercises while the music therapy students play strategically chosen songs on the piano or drums for clients to move to the beat. 

“That's one of the things about Parkinson's — you gotta move,” John Robinson told WXXI. He was diagnosed with the disease in 2017. 

The Parkinson’s Foundation says increasing physical activity to at least 2.5 hours a week can slow the progression of the disease. Adding music helps increase stamina and lift spirits.

“Once we add music it just makes the whole environment more enjoyable,” undergraduate music therapy student MacKenzie Lyons told WXXI. She said it’s rewarding to see how the clients are progressing, in part due to the music.

Students in the School of Health and Human Services academic programs, supervised by licensed professionals, serve thousands of people a year through outreach in the community and through clinics on campus. The York Institute offers wellness, rehabilitative, and related educational services to children and adults with varying abilities and needs who are underserved or require supplemental or specialty services.

Nazareth College’s YWRI is recognized in the Health Care innovation category along with Virtual Programming for Underserved Populations, a program of the Alzheimer's Association Rochester and Finger Lakes Chapter; and Rochester Clinical Research’s COVID-19 Vaccine Trials.

Health Care Heroes also are presented in the following categories: Advanced Practice Provider, COVID-19 Heroes, Health Care Staff, Lifetime Achievement, Management, Medical Professional, Mental Health, Nurse, Physician, Senior Care, Special Needs Advocate and Volunteer. The RBJ published the full list of awardees February 11, 2022.

Four Nazareth alumni were honored as health care heroes:

• Kristen Rund '01,'02G, Monroe Community Hospital, as a COVID-19 hero
• Mary Kate Corey '10, UR Medicine Thompson Health, as a health care management hero
• Patrick Seche '08G, University of Rochester Medical Center, as a mental health hero
• Jennifer Jesske '91, Highland Hospital, as a nurse hero

"This year's Health Care Heroes go above and beyond to improve the quality of health care to meet the needs of their patients. Their leadership, innovation and service to the community are exemplary, particularly during these challenging times," said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, senior group publisher of the Rochester Business Journal. "They truly are heroes in our community, and we at the Rochester Business Journal are pleased to honor them."

The winners will be honored March 24 at 1 p.m. at an online celebration. 

About the Rochester Business Journal

The Rochester Business Journal has served as the leading source of business news and information in Rochester, N.Y., for 35 years. In addition to its website, rbj.net, and weekly print publication, the Rochester Business Journal publishes more than 25 special products a year including Book of Lists, Explore Greater Rochester, RBJ 75 and Schools Report Card. The Rochester Business Journal also hosts 13 annual events to recognize excellence and provide leadership opportunities. Those events include Forty Under 40, Icon Honors, Women of Excellence and Reader Rankings. In addition, the Rochester Business Journal facilitates monthly webinars bringing local experts from the business community together to discuss current topics and trends. Its Digital Marketing Solutions helps customers with social media, search engine marketing and optimization, retargeting, email marketing and more. Rochester Business Journal and its sister publication, The Daily Record, which covers law and real estate in Western New York, are part of BridgeTower Media, one of the country’s leading business-to-business media companies with more than 40 print and digital publications in more than 25 U.S. markets.

Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.

Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.

• published: 2022 February
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