November 22, 2016
NEWBURGH, N.Y. - 
From left to right, Christopher Kelly of Massapequa Park,
N.Y., president of the Mount’s Nursing Student Union; NSU advisors
Christine Berté, director of graduate nursing programs and Anne
Corcoran, associate professor of nursing; and Kasondra Colasanti of
Berlin, Conn., vice president of the Mount’s NSU.
Mount Saint Mary College’s Nursing Student Union was recently
recognized by the New York Blood Center for their frequent blood
drive efforts.
At a luncheon and awards ceremony hosted by the NY Blood Center,
Christopher Kelly of Massapequa Park, N.Y., president of the
Mount’s Nursing Student Union, and Kasondra Colasanti of Berlin,
Conn., vice president, accepted the award on the union’s
behalf.
“The blood drive has been a staple in the Nursing Student Union
and it was an honor to go to the event together this year,” said
Kelly. “Blood is one of the things that people take for granted. We
never know the situations we will be put into… As a nursing
student, we are introduced to tons of scenarios where a person may
be in dire need of a transfusion.”
The Mount’s most recent blood drive, held in October, found
students, staff, and members of the local community giving the gift
of life to the tune of 173 pints.
Along with medical professionals from the New York Blood Center,
members of the college’s Nursing Student Union (NSU) were among
those assisting at the event.
“Through the years, the Nursing Student Union has done a
fantastic job of passing the torch to the upcoming year and
maintaining success in the blood drive,” noted Kelly. “Everyone,
from years past and present, have been such an asset to the club
and the blood drive event.”
At Mount Saint Mary College, about 45 percent of first year
students aim for health professions. The Mount’s nationally
accredited four-year nursing degree program boasts a high NCLEX-RN
passage rate that consistently exceeds the state average.
