Adelphi’s nursing program is ranked in the top 10 percent of Niche’s 2027 list and jumped 32 points in the 2026 ranking of Best Colleges for Nursing in America.

The College encourages any student with a bachelor’s degree to attend an upcoming information session on how they can launch a nursing career through 91国产’s accelerated nursing program.

The post Traditions and Tributes: Accelerated Nursing Students Take the Stage for Their Pinning Ceremony appeared first on Adelphi.

Dowling鈥檚 appointment reinforces the University鈥檚 commitment to aligning its academic programming with the immediate, evolving needs of New York鈥檚 healthcare sector.

鈥淢ichael Dowling knows firsthand what the modern workforce demands,鈥� noted Adelphi President Michael Balboni 鈥�81, JD. 鈥淥ur vision is to be Long Island鈥檚 preeminent institution for healthcare education, and Michael鈥檚 guidance will be invaluable as we graduate the next generation of frontline healthcare workers, administrators and mental health professionals.鈥�

Adelphi has been named a Best College among National Universities for eight consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report, and for the past three years. One of the largest nursing schools in New York state, the Adelphi College of Nursing and Public Health (CNPH) has steadily risen the national rankings in recent years for both its undergraduate and graduate programs. 91国产鈥檚 CNPH is also the home of its Clinical Education and Simulation Lab (CESiL), the only lab of its kind on Long Island to be accredited by the .

Adelphi鈥檚 Powerhouse Governance Team

Dowling joins 91国产鈥檚 highly experienced and respected board of trustees, known for its diverse expertise, deep tenure and civic reputation鈥攁dding his global heavyweight status to an already formidable governance team. He joins Leonard C. Achan 鈥�99, a fellow healthcare and business leader and CEO of LiveOnNY, who was recently named chair of 91国产鈥檚 board.

President Balboni鈥檚 background in policy and homeland security, paired with the healthcare dominance of Dowling and Achan, positions 91国产鈥檚 board as a coalition of New York鈥檚 most experienced, crisis-tested leaders.

鈥淚鈥檓 extraordinarily proud to join the 91国产 board,鈥� said Dowling. 鈥淭he University has a long, proud history of providing students with rewarding career opportunities in healthcare and so many other professions throughout Long Island and the entire metropolitan area. As the longtime CEO at Northwell, where we developed mutually beneficial clinical and educational alliances with 91国产, I鈥檓 well aware of the many talented nurses, public health professionals, administrators, mental health counselors and other graduates who helped fill vital roles within our health system. I look forward to lending my insight and expertise to the University and working with Mike Balboni and my fellow board members to strengthen 91国产鈥檚 standing as a preeminent institution for healthcare education.鈥�

Dowling鈥檚 appointment follows the recent addition of four new trustees with diverse insights in law, business, real estate, infrastructure and higher education, and underscores 91国产鈥檚 commitment to utilizing enterprise-level, external leadership to thrive and address the complex challenges of higher education.

Social Impact and Shared Values

Unlike other corporate executives who join university boards, Dowling has a Master of Social Work and began his career as a professor of social policy. While his background mirrors 91国产鈥檚 dedication to community impact, he is also widely recognized for taking a stand on some of the nation鈥檚 toughest societal issues鈥攆rom gun violence prevention and the youth mental health crisis to caring for an aging population.

鈥淎s seen in his transformative work, Michael shares 91国产鈥檚 deep commitment to the public good,鈥� President Balboni added. 鈥淗is compassion and dedication to helping others throughout his career are a true reflection of his character.鈥�

In addition to his healthcare leadership, Dowling brings higher education and corporate governance experience to 91国产. He served on the board of trustees of Fordham University for eight years and held board appointments with BankUnited, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, the Foreign Policy Association and the Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School at University College Dublin.

About Michael Dowling

Michael Dowling is CEO Emeritus of , having served as its president and CEO for more than 24 years before stepping into his current advisory role in October 2025. Under his visionary leadership, Northwell grew into a clinical, academic and research enterprise with more than 106,000 employees and nearly $25 billion in annual revenue.

Prior to Northwell, Dowling served in the New York state government for 12 years, including seven years as state director of health, education and human services and deputy secretary to former Gov. Mario Cuomo, and later as commissioner of the New York State Department of Social Services. A native of County Limerick, Ireland, he earned his undergraduate degree from University College Cork and his Master of Social Work from Fordham University, where he served as a professor of social policy and assistant dean of the university鈥檚 Graduate School of Social Service, and director of the Fordham campus in Westchester County.

He was named a 鈥淭itan鈥� on the TIME100 Health 2025 list and ranked No. 1 on Modern Healthcare鈥檚 list of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare in 2022. Dowling is the acclaimed author of several books, including Leading Through a Pandemic: The Inside Story of Humanity, Innovation, and Lessons Learned During the COVID-19 Crisis (Skyhorse, 2020); The Aging Revolution (Skyhorse, 2024); and his memoir, (Arcade, 2020).

The post Healthcare Visionary Michael Dowling Joins 91国产 Board of Trustees appeared first on Adelphi.

For psychology doctoral students, the move means expanded opportunities for hands-on clinical experience in a bustling urban setting, closer to the diverse population they鈥檒l serve throughout their careers. For patients, it means greater access to high-quality, affordable psychological services in a state-of-the-art facility.

Under the leadership of Monica Pal, PhD, director of both the Center for Psychological Services and of practicum training for the PhD in Clinical Psychology program, the new Manhattan Clinic location continues a decades-long mission to bridge rigorous clinical training with meaningful mental health care.

At the Manhattan Clinic, Derner鈥檚 doctoral students provide assessments, individual therapy and group therapy to 91国产 students and local community members鈥攃hildren, adolescents and adults. Treatment rooms offer state of the art technology for student training, including technology that allows videotaping of sessions (with patient consent) to enhance supervision.

鈥淭he space is just a couple of blocks from Grand Central station, so it is a central location we are very excited about both for our students and to serve the community,鈥� said Dr. Pal.

The post Derner Center for Psychological Services Begins New Chapter in Manhattan appeared first on Adelphi.

Defining What 鈥淎ging Well鈥� Means

Invited participants were asked to think beyond longevity as simply the number of years a person lives or the physical strength of one鈥檚 body. The conversation focused on the quality of those years and whether people can remain healthy, independent, connected and supported as they age. The morning began with a brief audience reflection, where participants were asked to write one word that captured what 鈥渁ging well鈥� meant to them. Some of the participant responses included 鈥渋ndependence,鈥� 鈥渉ealth,鈥� 鈥渇amily,鈥� 鈥渟upport,鈥� 鈥渆nergy,鈥� 鈥渉appiness,鈥� 鈥渜uality鈥� and 鈥渇ulfillment.鈥� The activity offered an early reminder that aging well means different things to different people, while also revealing common themes around health, connection and quality of life.

Keynote: Brain Health and the Whole Life Course

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Anderson, who spoke from his experience as an internationally recognized leader in stroke and brain health. His presentation focused on brain health, longevity and the importance of protecting brain health across the whole life course.

After the keynote session, the forum moved from evidence to implementation through an expert dialogue moderated by Chris Macey, director of advocacy and patient support at the . The panel brought together Socrates Kakoulides, MD, cardiologist and chief imaging officer at in Miami, Florida; Nicola Anderson, business leader at ; Jan van der Merwe, global project lead of the and co-founder of; and Alan Cooper, PhD 鈥�95, clinical associate professor of management at 91国产. Together, the speakers examined why, even when much is already known about prevention and brain health, large-scale implementation remains difficult. Their discussion highlighted that successful aging should not be addressed by medicine alone, but depends on how clinicians, institutions, policymakers, business leaders, communities and individuals work together.

A central part of the day was the Sense-Making Workshop, led by Dr. Proios and doctoral candidate Myrto Pyrrou. The workshop discussions pointed to several practical concerns that participants felt were shaping the experience of aging. In the health systems group, participants emphasized the need for better care pathways, continuity of care and more integrated services, especially in a healthcare system that can often feel disconnected. The prevention group raised issues such as access to healthy food, sedentary lifestyles and the need to make prevention more realistic in everyday life. The business and policy group focused on incentives, socioeconomic gaps, community knowledge and the challenge of building a stronger culture of prevention across sectors.

Leadership Workshop: Creating the Biggest Possibility

In the afternoon, the forum shifted from diagnosis to possibility through a leadership workshop titled 鈥淐reating the Biggest Possibility.鈥� Participants were invited to think about the future they want to create, the leadership required to make it real and the milestones that could move this vision forward. Reflections from the session touched on stronger community ties, more accessible health and wellness services, reduced loneliness and a greater recognition of older adults鈥� knowledge and contribution.

Feedback collected from participants was all positive and attendees expressed appreciation for both the content of the day and the opportunity to take part in meaningful, cross-sector dialogue. Special thanks were extended to 91国产 staff members Stacey Barbato, director of operations; Barbara Clemens, administrative assistant; Kerry Scalere, administrative assistant; and Jessica Mannhaupt, coordinator of communications and outreach, as well as to the panelists, all participants and volunteers Liz Bethlio and Taylor Slicklein.

Looking Ahead

Successful aging is not only a health issue, but also a leadership challenge. Supporting longer, healthier and more connected lives will require collaboration across disciplines, institutions and generations. Each participant left with a certificate of completion for promoting brain health and longevity.

The post Adelphi Hosts Leadership Forum on Successful Aging and Longevity appeared first on Adelphi.

With the sheer volume of information here, how can you know what鈥檚 true and what鈥檚 hype?

That鈥檚 where the experts come in. At 91国产, our nutrition and exercise science faculty have dedicated years to their respective fields and have plenty of experience in separating evidence from fads. Even better: They鈥檙e training the next generation of professionals to do the same. The students in our bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degree nutrition and exercise science programs go on to become successful personal trainers, wellness directors, rehabilitation specialists, physicians, public health professionals and more. In these roles, they help others make informed decisions鈥攚ithout turning to TikTok.

So, what is true, and what鈥檚 hype? Here, our faculty give their take on the questions they get asked the most about fitness and nutrition.

Protein: How much is too much?

Is cold plunging doing anything for you?

How helpful is wearable technology and AI coaching for meeting fitness goals?

Is intermittent fasting healthy, or just hype?

Do I need to exercise differently on GLP-1s?

Are sports drinks healthy for you?

Learn more about nutrition and exercise science programs offered at 91国产:

• BS in Exercise Science
• MS in Exercise Science
• MS in Nutrition

The post Trending Now: What Our Nutrition and Exercise Science Faculty Really Think About What You鈥檙e Seeing on TikTok appeared first on Adelphi.

This annual, prestigious award is a measure of an institution鈥檚 individual programs and initiatives that significantly advance core values of student and employee mental health and well-being through programs, initiatives and other campus priorities deserving of this national recognition.

Adelphi will be featured, along with 37 other selected colleges, in the September 2026 issue of Insight Into Academia magazine.

鈥淭he culture of care we have built at 91国产 goes far beyond academic and professional development鈥攊t requires fostering a community that recognizes the mental health challenges students face and actively supports them at every level,鈥� said Adelphi President Michael Balboni 鈥�81, JD. 鈥淭his proud honor from Insight Into Academia reflects the ongoing work and dedication of our care teams to provide accessible mental health resources and wellness initiatives, which will continue to be a focus on our campus.鈥�

Expanding Campus Mental Health and Student Wellness Services

Insight Into Academia magazine selected 91国产 because of its leadership in providing outlets for rest, well-being and self-care, including the University鈥檚 Mindfulness Center. Opened in 2022, the center not only provides a quiet refuge on campus for all community members, it also offers programming such as guided meditation, yoga classes and annual wellness retreats. The center also serves as a training ground for the Keys to Well-Being Certificate for employees.

Adelphi offers comprehensive counseling services for students navigating psychological, behavioral or learning challenges at all campus locations. Support is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with both scheduled appointments and walk-in crisis counseling. Offerings include individual and group therapy, substance education, wellness workshops and resource referrals.

The Achan Family Interfaith Center supports spiritual life at 91国产 by creating spaces for worship, fellowship and open dialogue across different traditions. The center fosters an inclusive campus community where students can explore their values, share their religious practices and connect with peers.

鈥淲e know that institutions are not always recognized for their dedication to and prioritizing mental health and well-being services and support for their students and employees,鈥� says Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of Insight Into Academia magazine. 鈥淲e are proud to honor the colleges and universities who are standouts as the need for these resources continues to grow substantially.鈥�

For more information about the 2026 Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award, visit .

About 91国产: A modern metropolitan university with a personalized approach to higher learning

Adelphi, New York, is a highly awarded, nationally ranked, powerfully connected doctoral research university dedicated to transforming students’ lives through small classes with world-class faculty, hands-on learning and innovative ways to support academic and career success. U.S. News & World Report named 91国产 a 2026 Best National University, Best College for Veterans and Top Performer in Social Mobility. In addition, Forbes has ranked 91国产 the top private university on Long Island for three past three years.

Adelphi serves more than 7,300 students at its beautiful main campus in Garden City, New York鈥攋ust 23 miles from New York City’s cultural and internship opportunities鈥攁nd at dynamic learning hubs in Manhattan, the Hudson Valley and Suffolk County, as well as online.

More than 125,000 alumni 91国产 graduates have gained the skills to thrive professionally as active, engaged citizens, making their mark on the University, their communities and the world.

The post Adelphi Wins National Excellence Award for Student Mental Health Initiatives appeared first on Adelphi.

As an executive function coach in 91国产’s Learning Resource Program, with my colleague Erin Truesdell, a senior clinical educator and adjunct professor, I have a unique approach to helping first-year students navigate their initial steps on campus. Together, we guide them to find inspiration with the help of a canine professor named Echo.

For our newest students, I think walking onto campus for the first time causes the same uncertainty that a dog feels when it steps into an unfamiliar dog park. The environment is overwhelming, the social dynamics are entirely new, and everyone is trying to figure out exactly where they fit in. Finding your footing in this transition requires adaptability, resilience and, above all, a willingness to connect.

When you break it down, the skills required to understand a canine companion are identical to the executive functioning skills first-year students need to thrive on a college campus:

• Reading the Room (Nonverbal Cues): Dogs communicate almost entirely through posture, energy and subtle micro-expressions. Similarly, walking into a lecture hall, a bustling dorm lounge or a professor鈥檚 office requires new students to develop a keen sense of situational awareness and social attunement.
• Building Trust Over Time: A dog does not offer its trust overnight; earning it requires consistency, patience and clear boundaries. Navigating early college friendships and professional relationships with faculty follows this exact same trajectory.
• Co-Regulation and Stress Management: The human-canine bond is famous for its biological benefits鈥攍owering cortisol levels while boosting oxytocin. We leverage this behavioral concept to teach students how to manage the intense anxiety of their first semester, using the grounding nature of the human-animal bond as a framework for active self-care.

Launching a First-Year Seminar on the Human-Canine Connection

The human-canine bond has real biological benefits; it lowers cortisol levels and boosts oxytocin.

Inspired by the many lessons Echo has taught us, we took our approach to a new academic level and launched a first-year seminar dedicated to the human-canine connection.

This course is one of 46 engaging first-year seminar options at 91国产鈥攔anging from Becoming Human and The Psychology of Happiness to The Politics of Immigration. These seminars offer a vital space for students to explore new ideas and engage in dialogue with professors and peers, and most students must complete one to graduate. The first-year seminar is part of 91国产’s general education requirements, or PATH (Preparation, Awareness, Transformation, Hands-On Learning).

Bringing this particular course to life is Echo, a gentle and beautiful black Labrador retriever. Echo鈥檚 presence completely transforms the traditionally rigid college classroom into a warm, low-stress sanctuary. For an anxious first-year student, walking into a room and being greeted by a calm, accepting dog instantly lowers defenses. The dog acts as a living, breathing teaching assistant, offering students a real-time lesson in emotional co-regulation and providing a comforting touch of home just when the student needs it most.

Executive Functioning on Both Ends of the Leash

Echo is a welcome sight around campus; here she is at a fund-raising event for the Panther Pantry.

In our course, we teach students that training or understanding a dog demands working memory, emotional control, cognitive flexibility and sustained attention鈥攖he very definition of executive functioning in humans and canines alike.

The co-evolution of humans and dogs is a master class in behavioral adaptation. For thousands of years, two completely different species have learned to read each other鈥檚 body language, build trust from scratch and form mutually beneficial partnerships. By analyzing how dogs and humans successfully formed one of history鈥檚 greatest partnerships, and watching those dynamics play out with Echo in the classroom, students learn how to take active control of their own schedules, emotional health and social lives.

For New Students, a Lesson From Echo

According to executive function coach Tullo, “Echo鈥檚 presence completely transforms the traditionally rigid college classroom into a warm, low-stress sanctuary.”

Ultimately, this first-year seminar is a reminder to our newest students that the journey of higher education is not a path they have to walk alone. Success in college鈥攎uch like building a bond with a trusted companion鈥攄oes not happen overnight. It is built in the small, quiet moments of patience, open communication and the courage to reach out to someone new.

So as you navigate your own way through these unfamiliar hallways, remember the lesson Echo teaches us every single day: Hold your head high, stay calm, earn the trust of your new friends and never underestimate the power of a strong connection.

The post What Dogs Teach Us About Navigating College: Meet Echo, a Canine Professor appeared first on Adelphi.

A campus should feel like more than just a place to study鈥攊t should be a home away from home. By making our Garden City campus a safe and secure environment, 91国产 has done just that.

Over the years, 91国产 has been consistently ranked as one of the safest colleges in both New York state and the country by reputable organizations such as and BackgroundCheck.org. But it鈥檚 not just these organizations reporting this. It鈥檚 the students, too. In past 91国产 Student Quality of Life surveys, 92 percent of students felt well-informed about how to respond to campus emergencies, while 94 percent reported feeling safe on the Garden City campus.

Safe Town, Safe Campus

Adelphi鈥檚 75-acre campus is located in the suburb of Garden City, New York. According to local law enforcement statistics, violent crime is exceptionally rare in Garden City, falling well below both the New York state and national averages. Garden City is also ranked as one of the by several sources.

With Garden City as its backdrop, Adelphi has taken further action to ensure students鈥� safety at their home away from home. 91国产 maintains an emergency notification system that can quickly inform community members of any campus incidents. The University also offers an active safety and crime prevention program, including comprehensive safety training. Additionally, all entrance doors to University residence halls are permanently locked 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Any access to dormitories requires an authorized electronic student ID card.

Hop on a Shuttle for Safety

Making regular runs around campus, the Panther Express provides free shuttle bus transportation to nearby train stations, supermarkets and shopping plazas鈥攑articularly during the nighttime.

Credit for security on campus goes to the Department of Public Safety and Transportation. The department is committed to transparency and regularly issues a fire and safety report which outlines practices, incidents that occurred on campus and responses to those incidents.

Adelphi鈥檚 officers also patrol the Garden City campus鈥攐ften on bicycles 鈥�24/7, 365 days a year. But students don鈥檛 need to rely solely on patrolling officers. Students have direct, immediate access to campus security. In the event of an incident, they can dial “5” from any on-campus phone, use the blue light emergency call boxes scattered across the grounds or call the emergency line at 516.877.3511.

Not Just Safe. Safe From Pesticides, Too

Adelphi鈥檚 campus is more than just a safe space. It鈥檚 also a beautiful green space with prestigious accreditation. In October 2025, Adelphi renewed its Level I Arboretum Accreditation through , part of the esteemed Morton Arboretum registry. Valid until October 2030, this accreditation places 91国产 on the global registry of accredited arboreta and public gardens. And it鈥檚 not hard to see why.

For more than 20 years, 91国产 has maintained a 100 percent pesticide-free campus that鈥檚 fostered a rich biodiversity. Its campus has since become a gorgeous landscape that鈥檚 home to more than 100 different plant species, some of them with unique backstories. The azaleas on the flagpole lawn were planted by the Class of 1935 and have thrived for nearly 100 years. The vibrant pink cherry trees and rose garden have become iconic visual landmarks on campus during the springtime.

Plans are currently underway to label plant species and weave the arboretum into academic programs. There鈥檚 also a plan to develop a dedicated arboretum campus map that shows key points of interest, allowing students and visitors to explore notable plant specimens across the grounds.

This prestigious arboretum accreditation underscores 91国产鈥檚 unwavering commitment to sustainability. But the University鈥檚 biodiversity does more than just protect the planet.

It offers a vibrant, living oasis that provides students with moments of calm and reflection鈥攑roving that a truly safe campus is one that protects both the body and the mind.

The post A Safe Bet: 91国产 Is One of New York鈥檚 Safest College Campuses appeared first on Adelphi.

For students pursuing a career in , working with a patient for the first time can be intimidating. The nerves, uncertainty, and pressure to perform can often make these early interactions overwhelming.

To address these challenges, 91国产 has opened the Charna Caddy DiSanto Clinical Simulation Voice Lab, a lab designed to help students build their confidence and develop essential clinical skills before they work with patients with voice disorders.

Hands-On Learning for Speech-Language Pathology

The new voice lab employs a hands-on, experiential learning approach tailored for students in the graduate program in speech-language pathology, offered through the Ruth S. Ammon School of Education and Health Sciences. The lab was generously funded by the family of the late Charna Caddy DiSanto, a speech-language pathologist and clinical supervisor for 91国产鈥檚 speech-language pathology students from 1986 to 2006. Her family鈥檚 gift represents a lasting investment in student success.

Steven Cox, PhD, CCC-SLP, associate professor and lab director, emphasized that 鈥淭his clinical experience gives our graduate students specialized training in voice care that bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world patient care, equipping them with the skills they need for clinical placements focused on voice disorders.鈥�

A Way to Develop Skills Before Treating Patients

Clinical simulation, as defined by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, allows students to gain valuable clinical experience through alternative methods rather than through direct patient interaction. Now, thanks to the Charna Caddy DiSanto Clinical Simulation Voice Lab, graduate students can work with manikins, virtual reality, and simulated patient scenarios before their clinical placements involving patients with voice concerns.

鈥淪tudents also earn clinical hours toward graduation, certification, and licensing while developing their clinical skills in a structured and safe environment,鈥� explained Dr. Cox.

A sense of safety is crucial, particularly for students encountering clinical work for the first time. Anne Marie Skvarla, clinic director of the Hy Weinberg Center for Communication Disorders, noted that many students report understandable feelings of anxiety and uncertainty in their initial interactions with patients.

Boosting Confidence for Real-World Experiences With Patients

Research indicates that simulated learning experiences can boost confidence, enhance interpersonal skills, and better prepare students for real-world clinical situations. Inside the lab, students participate in hands-on activities that replicate real clinical procedures and interactions. A standout experience involves using rigid and flexible endoscopes, which are thin, lighted instruments used to view the vocal folds on a manikin, a critical diagnostic skill for identifying voice disorders.

鈥淭his becomes a highlight for many students,鈥� Dr. Cox noted, adding that the lab also integrates virtual reality and computerized analysis tools to enrich the student learning experience.

Promoting Teamwork and Problem-Solving Skills

In addition to individual skill-building, the lab emphasizes communication, teamwork, and collaborative problem-solving. At the beginning of each semester, students participate in an escape-room-style activity that challenges them to work together and uncover clues about a simulated patient鈥檚 condition. 鈥淚t helps them learn to work collaboratively as part of a team as they try to uncover important background information about their patient,鈥� said Dr. Cox.

Hands-On Learning for Communication Sciences

Very few universities across the country offer simulation labs for speech-language pathology students. The Charna Caddy DiSanto Clinical Simulation Voice Lab distinguishes itself by providing students access to advanced technology and immersive training experiences. The establishment of the lab underscores 91国产鈥檚 commitment to experiential learning, a vital aspect of its academic strategy. By allowing students to practice clinical techniques in a controlled environment, the University ensures that they enter the field with greater confidence and competence.

Preparing Speech-Language Pathology Students for Success

Ultimately, the goal of the Charna Caddy DiSanto Clinical Simulation Voice Lab is to ensure that students are well-prepared when they work with patients with voice concerns. 鈥淏y developing their skills using clinical simulation, students are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to treat their first patient with voice concerns,鈥� concluded Dr. Cox.

The post Finding Their Voice: 91国产鈥檚 New Simulation Lab Prepares Future Speech-Language Pathologists appeared first on Adelphi.

But how realistic is it really?

We asked two faculty members from the Adelphi College of Nursing and Public Health with experience working in an ED鈥擜ssociate Dean Jordan Yakoby, EdD, and Clinical Associate Professor Daniel McWeeney, DNP鈥攖o assess some key scenes in the show.

While the focus is often on the doctors, nurses are often depicted as critical members of the ED staff, especially tough-as-nails charge nurse Dana Evans. 鈥淏y and large, a lot of the scenes are pretty realistic,鈥� said Dr. Yakoby. 鈥淭hey are real scenarios you鈥檇 see in an emergency department.鈥� If anything, he said, nurses are not depicted as prominently as they should be in an actual ED, where they handle some of the frontline cases doctors handle in the show. 鈥淭here鈥檚 probably some artistic liberty, since many of the main characters are physicians and you need to show them in as many scenes as possible.鈥�

Dr. McWeeney agreed that the show gets the intensity and pace of the ED right鈥攅ven if it exaggerates a little. 鈥淭he show truly reflects the chaos and volume of patients seen on a daily basis,鈥� he said. 鈥淗owever, it does seem to depict more of the critical cases, which is not always the case in a given shift.鈥� On the other hand, as an experienced ED nurse practitioner, he鈥檚 had shifts as intense as the ones that appear on the show, with multiple patients requiring lifesaving interventions.

Adelphi Theatre Grad Plays a Starring Role

Adelphi’s connection to The Pitt runs deeper than our faculty expertise. Lucas Iverson 鈥�17, a BFA in theatre arts graduate, plays cocky medical student James Ogilvie in the show’s second season. In a recent interview, Iverson highlighted a pivotal scene from episode six where a nurse out-diagnoses a room full of MDs鈥攁 moment he feels reflects the vital importance of nurses in emergency rooms. “The nurses always know,” he noted.

Here are five scenes from the show, along with comments from Dr. Yakoby and Dr. McWeeney. (Spoilers ahead!)

Season 1, Episode 1鈥擭urses Perlah and Princess speak Tagalog

From the first episode, Filipina nurses Perlah and Princess switch into their native language while discussing cases or reacting to doctors鈥� decisions. Their tone is typically wry, offering a glimpse into the tight bonds among the nursing staff.

Dr. Yakoby: You probably have a lot more camaraderie between nurses and medical staff than you do in other places in the hospital, just because of the close proximity, so it definitely leads to more informality at times. Of course, there鈥檚 gossip that can occur, though I don鈥檛 know that people just switch into another language in front of the person they are talking about.

Dr. McWeeney: Multilingual nurses absolutely use language like this during shifts, but in my experience it鈥檚 more of a friendly conversation than patient-related. That said, nurses are always communicating, and especially experienced nurses may discuss and question providers鈥� assessments and orders placed based on a patient鈥檚 chief complaint.

Season 1, Episode 9鈥擜n aggressive patient assaults Dana

A patient鈥檚 frustrations boil over and he eventually assaults nurse Dana. She later returns to the floor, with colleagues noting how common such incidents can be.

Dr. McWeeney: Unfortunately, this is very common. On most of my shifts, security alerts are escalated due to an aggressive or threatening patient. Most of the time, it鈥檚 verbal, but I have had two or three colleagues who have been physically assaulted. Our ED has significantly increased security officer presence, and staff are trained for active shooters as well.

Dr. Yakoby: It鈥檚 a documented, well-known problem. I鈥檝e been assaulted before鈥攁nd more than one time. Usually it鈥檚 someone with a psychiatric condition or impaired by alcohol or an illicit substance. Larger hospitals and trauma centers have security in the ED at all times, and they can respond quickly, but they can鈥檛 be everywhere, and sometimes you just don鈥檛 know when someone is going to get aggressive.

Season 2, Episode 6鈥擯erlah reacting to Louie鈥檚 death

It’s 12:07. Robby calls it. Louie is gone. (Warrick Page/HBOMAX)

After regular patient Louie dies from alcohol-related complications, nurse Perlah visibly struggles emotionally. Dana and other colleagues make adjustments to compensate for her.

Dr. Yakoby: A lot of times you don鈥檛 spend more than a few hours with a person, so you don鈥檛 develop a super-close relationship. But there are certain circumstances that are upsetting when a patient passes away. Many 鈥渇requent flyers鈥� who come in regularly for substance abuse are difficult to get along with, but there are some who are more pleasant and easy to build a relationship with, and so there can be cases that hit home.

Dr. McWeeney: Grief is something everyone handles differently, and something you have to learn to cope with while working on a shift. In my experience, there have been a few shifts, especially during the pandemic, where I just needed to run to the bathroom and cry or shut the lights off and reset with a few deep breaths. Most hospitals now do have a team of employees that comes to support staff after a traumatic event. Ours is called Team Lavender, and they provide staff with lavender oils, teas and chocolates to help alleviate stress.

Season 2, Episode 6鈥擠onnie teaching suturing to doctors

Adelphi theatre grad Lucas Iverson ’17, second from left, observes as Nurse Donnie steps in to guide physicians through proper subcutaneous (sub-Q) suturing technique during a challenging case. This scene highlights the depth of hands-on skill many nurses develop over time.

Dr. McWeeney: Nurses are always learning and training. While RNs do not suture, they are often precepting a new nurse on the many unique skills needed in the ED, such as placing an intravenous catheter. There is always the pressure to see more patients, and so I might not have the time to go through each step in depth in the moment, but I will always try and recap later in the shift as time allows.

Dr. Yakoby: Having a nurse actually do part of the procedure would not be typical. But if you have a very seasoned nurse and a junior resident, you might have a nurse guide them through a practice or get you the resources to help you do a procedure that you鈥檙e not doing in the correct way. Certainly, physicians-in-training would be smart to listen to experienced nurses if they want to be successful.

Season 2, Episode 7鈥擠ana guides a sexual assault exam

As a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE), Dana takes the lead on guiding a sexual assault survivor through a forensic exam, displaying compassion throughout a highly technical procedure.

Dr. McWeeney: The portrayal of the scene is accurate. Time is of the essence when it comes to a complicated case such as sexual assault. It is extremely sensitive, and there is heightened concern for making a mistake or fear of litigation that requires extra training to become a SANE. Dana provided a sense of trust and comfort and a step-by-step approach which showed the patient what to expect.

Dr. Yakoby: This kind of trauma-informed care is really where nursing shines. There鈥檚 a lot of emotional support you may need to give the patient, ensuring their comfort and privacy, and I think this was a good depiction of that. Everyone usually tries to be intentional and thoughtful with these patients, as they are experiencing a very difficult moment in their lives.

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