Maverick Magazine 2026: Connected Through Care

A new interdisciplinary partnership will bring students, individuals living with memory loss and caregivers together through experiential learning and community support.

As New York’s population ages, the need for dementia support and caregiver resources continues to grow. This fall, Mercy University will launch a new respite care partnership designed to meet that need while giving students hands-on experience working alongside older adults and their caregivers.

Developed through a collaboration between Mercy’s School of Health and Natural Sciences and therapeutic horticulture practitioner Fred Ellman, the program is designed to bring students, caregivers and individuals living with memory loss together in a setting focused on connection, engagement and well-being.

For Interim Dean Dr. Nannette Hyland, the initiative reflects both a professional and personal philosophy. “I’m always looking at how we can help our neighboring communities,” Hyland said.

A physical therapist by training who has spent nearly three decades at Mercy, Hyland has long believed that some of the most meaningful learning happens outside the classroom. After learning about Ellman’s work using horticulture, mindfulness and creative engagement to support individuals living with dementia and their caregivers, she immediately saw the opportunity for Mercy students.

The respite care model will focus on active engagement rather than passive observation. Through plant-based activities, movement, music, mindfulness and social interaction, participants will be encouraged to connect with others and remain mentally and physically engaged. At the same time, caregivers will have an opportunity to rest, recharge and 
access support.

“The act of doing — that’s where this horticultural practice has come into play,” Hyland said.

What began as a small community-based program quickly revealed broader possibilities. Mercy nursing students first became involved through community health internships, and the response from both students and participants was overwhelmingly positive.

“It was so positive, my goal was to create a bigger partnership,” Hyland said.

Now, Mercy is preparing to formally bring the program to campus, where it will serve as both a community resource and an interdisciplinary educational experience. Initial participation will include students in gerontology, health sciences and nursing, with plans to expand into occupational therapy, physical therapy, exercise science, social work, business and even music programs.

“Our goal is to have as many programs involved as we can,” Hyland said.

The initiative also reflects Mercy’s growing emphasis on interprofessional education — preparing students to work collaboratively across healthcare disciplines while understanding the human side of care.

“I’m a big believer that we are better together,” Hyland said. “A good healthcare team works together as a team, respects each other. How do we work together to make an individual’s life the best it can be? And how do we give back?”

For students, the experience will offer far more than observation hours. By working directly with older adults and caregivers, students will gain exposure to real-world healthcare challenges while developing empathy, communication skills and practical experience.

“There’s research on the impact of intergenerational exposure,” Hyland said. “So it helps the individuals with memory loss. And this is real-life work-based experience that’s offered 
on campus.”

Hyland believes those interactions can have a lasting impact on students entering healthcare professions.

“We really need to expose our students to individuals who are older,” she said. “They love listening to their stories. They love learning about their lives.”

The program may also create opportunities for future faculty and student research focused on aging, memory care and intergenerational engagement. Mercy faculty members, including Dr. Sarah Hahn, associate dean for the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences and associate professor of behavioral science and sociology, are already exploring ways students can support observational research connected to 
the initiative.

“There’s so much research potential in this as well,” Hyland said.

Ultimately, Hyland sees the program as a natural extension of Mercy’s long-standing mission of access, service and community engagement.

“The mission of Mercy has always been about access,” she said. “I have always loved this part of the mission, being able to provide access to higher education for students.”

That commitment, she says, is shared across the University community.

“The faculty at Mercy believe in that mission,” Hyland said. “If you are willing to learn and put the time in, this is the place for you.”

As Mercy University celebrates 75 years of expanding opportunity and strengthening communities, the partnership represents another example of how the University continues to evolve, creating innovative ways for students to learn through service while addressing real needs beyond campus. “It brings your education to life,” Hyland said.

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