Mercy University School of Nursing Hosts Wellness Day to Promote Self-Care
As part of its 75th anniversary celebrations, Mercy University’s School of Nursing hosted a Wellness Day at its Bronx Campus on November 18, 2025, offering students, faculty and staff an opportunity to pause, recharge and focus on self-care amid the demands of academic and professional life.
The event featured a range of holistic and wellness-focused activities, including meditation, yoga, energy healing, reflexology, massage and bodywork, exercise and stretching, painting, drip art and origami. Designed as a space for stress relief and relaxation, the event emphasized the importance of caring for both physical and emotional well-being, particularly within the nursing profession.
Christina Rossi, director of Simulation at the School of Nursing and organizer of the event, said Wellness Day was created to raise awareness about holistic modalities and their role in both personal wellness and patient care.
“I wanted to bring awareness of holistic modalities and stress-relieving techniques to the Mercy University community,” Rossi said. “Future nurses can incorporate these approaches not only into patient care, but also into their own self-care.”
Drawing on her background as a holistic nurse, Rossi collaborated with practitioners from the Reiki, polarity therapy, yoga, and holistic nursing communities, many of whom volunteered their time. The event included hand and foot reflexology, Reiki, polarity therapy, yoga, art therapy and physical therapy services such as massage, cupping and bodywork.
“I wanted a wide array of services,” she explained. “I reached out to different communities I belong to, and people were very willing to come in—even if only for a few hours—to support self-care for our students, faculty and staff.”
For Rossi, the importance of self-care is deeply personal. She cited both her own experience working as a nurse and the loss of her mother, who she said spent her life giving to others without prioritizing her own health. “We’re all valuable, and we’re all meant to be here,” she said. “Taking care of ourselves is essential.”
Among the Wellness Day providers was Constance Korol, a Reiki practitioner and owner of Meta 180, based in Long Island. She offers services including Reiki, reflexology, breathwork, yoga, tai chi and emotional freedom techniques. Korol said Reiki was a natural fit for the event.
“Most people understand their physical bodies and are beginning to understand emotional and mental health,” she said. “But many don’t think about their energetic body. Reiki can help people move from stress to vitality and live in greater alignment with their whole body.”
Faculty and staff attendees praised the university for prioritizing wellness across the campus community. Dr. Valerie Taylor Haslip, associate dean of the School of Nursing, emphasized that health is foundational to all aspects of life.
“If you’re not healthy, you can’t function,” she said. “You can’t work well, enjoy your family or have a good quality of life. Health is the basis for everything else.”
Admissions Counselor Crystal Alvarado echoed that sentiment, calling the event a meaningful reminder to slow down. “Even if it’s just five minutes, taking a breather to prioritize your mental and physical health is crucial,” she said. “A lot of people overlook their health because they’re so busy.”
Liza Tuck, a PACT mentor, said the event offered an important reminder for those who are constantly giving to others. “Sometimes you just need a nudge,” she said. “Being cared for helps release stress and builds awareness that you need to take care of yourself, too.”
Admissions Counselor Ramouna Charleton added that hosting the event during the workday sent a powerful message. “It shows that the university cares about our well-being,” she said. “Taking time while we’re here on campus means a lot.”
As Mercy University marks 75 years, Wellness Day served as both a celebration and a reaffirmation of its commitment to the health and well-being of its community—underscoring that caring for others begins with caring for oneself.
