
School of Health & Natural Sciences

About the School of Health & Natural Sciences
The School of Health and Natural Sciences is dedicated to providing premier health and natural science undergraduate and graduate educational programs to equip students with the intellectual, technical and professional competencies they need to excel and advance as science specialists, health care providers, health promotion experts and science/health educators. More than just focusing on personal careers, our goal is to prepare students to use their knowledge and abilities in the health and natural sciences to be compassionate and caring health care providers.
Health & Natural Sciences Degrees & Programs

Message from the Interim Dean, SHNS
It is a pleasure to welcome you to the School of Health and Natural Sciences at Mercy College. The outstanding programs in the School provide students the opportunity to explore basic and applied sciences and health care careers. The faculty of the School is student-focused and dedicated to providing high-quality educational experiences that lead to rewarding careers in the health and natural science fields.
Kathleen Golisz, OTD, OTR, FAOTA
Interim Dean, School of Health and Natural Sciences

Welcome Message from the Interim Dean, Nursing
On behalf of the faculty and staff of the Mercy College Nursing Program, I invite you to explore the possibilities. Whether you are planning to become an RN or looking to further your career in nursing, we have a program for you. Our traditional prelicensure program prepares students to take the RN licensing exam while providing a robust college experience with opportunities to participate in sports and clubs. The accelerated second-degree program, offered primarily on weekends or weekdays on the Bronx campus, allows students with a previous bachelor’s degree to complete their BS in nursing in five semesters. Masters’ programs are designed for nurses to gain career enhancing credentials. All our programs are taught by experienced faculty who are focused on your success. We look forward to welcoming you into the world of Mercy nursing.
Susan LaRocco PhD MBA RN FNAP
Interim Dean, Nursing

Featured Program
Clinical Laboratory Science
Clinical laboratory testing plays a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Clinical laboratory scientists, also referred to as medical technologists, and clinical laboratory technologists, are part of the health care team that collaborates with physicians in the treatment of patients. They examine and analyze body fluids, cells, and tissues.
The Clinical Laboratory Science Program is accredited by the National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
The Clinical Laboratory Science program at Mercy College consists of three years of general education and basic science courses. The fourth year of the CLS program consists of a combination of clinical courses on campus and full-day hospital based clinical rotations.

Clinical Simulation & Learning Labs
The Clinical Simulation Labs prepare students for their future as health care professionals. New spaces at the Dobbs Ferry and Bronx campuses comprise specialized labs designed to simulate different disciplines within a health care facility. The Labs include control rooms, debriefing space and several large classrooms that are filled with state-of-the-art technology that give students real-world experience before they begin their clinical experiences.
Tour the 3rd floor clinical simulation labs
This space includes a Clinical Skills and Assessment Lab, movement lab and home health labs, frequently used by students and faculty in our nursing occupational therapy, occupational therapy assistant, and physical therapy programs.

Speech and Hearing Clinic
The Speech and Hearing Clinic has served the community for more than 25 years with comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and therapy for preschoolers, school-aged children, adolescents and adults. Students, faculty, staff, and persons served in the program’s clinic are treated in a nondiscriminatory manner.

Advancing Curricular Change to Enhance Student Success
The U.S. Department of Education awarded Mercy College federal funding to develop and implement a project called Advancing Curricular Change to Enhance Student Success, or ACCESS. The project will expand and enrich opportunities for students in high-demand health science careers by improving student outcomes in Anatomy and Physiology I, a gateway course, and increasing the number of available nursing training slots to meet the pressing need for nurses, particularly in the New York City metropolitan area. The project will improve teaching and learning on an institution-wide basis through the implementation of high-impact practices, advancement of faculty development, and robust student engagement in the college experience.
School of Health & Natural Sciences News

Friday March 24, 2023
Mercy College Distributes First of 800 Laptops and Internet Hotspots to Students
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Thursday March 23, 2023
Mercy College Faculty Advance Their Knowledge and Practice on Faculty Seminar Day
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Thursday March 9, 2023
Associate Professor Awarded for Promoting Excellence in Physical Therapy Education
Read MoreContact the School of Health & Natural Sciences
Kathleen Golisz, OTD, OTR, FAOTA
Interim Dean, School of Health
and Natural Sciences
(914) 674-7814
Main Hall 4PH
Irina Ellison, PhD
Associate Dean
(914) 674-7634
Main Hall 208B
Simona Cazes
Assistant to the Dean
(914) 674-7837
Main 4PH
Katelyn Keesler
Administrative Assistant
(914) 674-7444
Main Hall 4PH
Susan LaRocco, PhD, MBA, RN, FNAP
Interim Dean of Nursing
(914) 888-5368
Main Hall 265A
Miriam Ford, PhD
Associate Dean, Nursing
(914) 674-7860
Main Hall 267
Zenat Ishaq
Administrative Assistant, Nursing Program
(914) 674-7865