Biomedical Program Returns to St. Elizabeth Hospital for Second Visit
By Francesca Cassese
Beacon Staff Writer
Youngstown, OH – Cardinal Mooney’s biomedical students returned to St. Elizabeth Hospital in downtown Youngstown for the second phase of their field trip gaining deeper insight into both the medical field and faith-based foundations of the hospital.
Dr. Kravec, Chief Medical Officer of St. Elizabeth Hospital, and Mission Director Ms. Natalie Terry-Hag began the day with a discussion about what distinguishes a Catholic hospital from a non-Catholic hospital. Ms.Terry-Hag explained that faith is intentionally woven into patient care and hospital culture. “At St. Elizabeth, human dignity is at the forefront of everything we do,” she said. She added that care extends beyond physical treatment. “We care for the whole person; spiritually, mentally, and physically, while following ethical guidelines and prioritizing the most vulnerable,” she said.
Following the discussion, students toured the radiology department, laboratory, and emergency room. In radiology, students got to see imaging technologies like C-arm CT. Junior Vince Gentle said getting to see the equipment really stood out to him. “The technologies were really neat to see in person,” he said. “You don’t always think about how much they cost or how advanced they are. It was interesting learning how expensive the machines are and how they’re used, and then actually seeing them right there in front of you.”
In the laboratory, Regional Director Ms. Allison Kovach spoke with students about the educational pathways into medical laboratory science. She explained that Youngstown State University offers both two-year and four-year programs for students interested in entering the field. “YSU has strong programs that prepare students very well,” Kovach said. She added that many students complete internships at St. Elizabeth Hospital during their studies. “A lot of our interns are offered jobs after graduation,” she said, noting that it creates a strong local pathway into healthcare careers.
The day concluded with a brief visit to the emergency department, where students observed the fast-paced, high-pressure environment. Overall, the field trip provided biomedical students with valuable firsthand experience and a clearer understanding of what a future career in healthcare truly looks like.
Biomedical students talking with Dr. Kravec to start the morning