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Share thisFaculty Spotlight: Mary Stevens, MS, RN; Assistant Professor of Nursing
Education:
- Post-Master’s Certificate in Program Evaluation | University of Rochester
- M.S., Nursing | Walden University Online
- B.S., Nursing | St. John Fisher College
- B.A., Music Education | University of Buffalo
Tell me about yourself.
I had the luxury of being a stay-at-home mom for several years, and then I began thinking about what I would do professionally once the children were all in elementary school. It was then that a good friend encouraged me to go back to college to become a nurse.
What brought you to Roberts?
In 1996, I began working at Rochester General Hospital on the specialized rehabilitation unit for stroke survivors. I completed my B.S. and M.S. in nursing while working there. While working at Rochester General, I met Sandra “Sam” Brzoza from Roberts Wesleyan. She was, and continues to be, such an amazing nurse and person, and because of that I was very interested in working with her. My faith had seen me through so many things in life that I was attracted to working at a Christian college and having the opportunity to talk about faith in the context of health, healing, and wholeness. For me, faith and healing are very much intertwined.
How long have you been teaching at Roberts?
I am in my fifth year of teaching full-time in the R.N. to B.S. Completion Program. I started teaching at Roberts as an adjunct professor of nursing nearly ten years ago.
What do you like the most about teaching nursing?
It is a perfect fit for my nursing background and interests. I enjoy sharing what I have learned with students, as well as helping to equip them for the challenges that lie ahead. The best part of teaching for me is engagement with my students.
What is an interest you have outside of teaching?
Over the past five years, I have partnered with a good friend, Pastor Phyllis Jackson, RN, working toward eliminating health disparities in the Rochester area for people of color. She founded the Interdenominational Health Ministry Coalition (IHMC), which is a coalition of area churches that want to establish health ministry teams to do health promotion activities within their congregations. IHMC’s tag line, “Health is a Spiritual Matter,” identifies that health begins with an understanding of how God created life to be lived. When people understand that stewarding their physical health is part of their spiritual duty before God, attitudes shift and faith empowers them to change. God has blessed this labor of love which has brought forth signs, miracles and wonders in the lives of the people involved.
Have you recently presented at a professional conference?
Pastor Phyllis and I had the opportunity to present the work on eliminating health disparities in the Rochester area for people of color at the Innovations in Faith-Based Nursing Conference at Indiana Wesleyan University in June 2018.
What is an interesting fact about you?
I enjoy learning about other cultures! My husband Tom and I traveled to Turkey and Brazil in 2014, and to Tanzania in 2017.
What is your favorite quote or verse and why?
One of my favorite Bible verses is Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” I am comforted to know that as long as I take great joy in God’s presence in my life, He works all things together for good so that my heart is fully at peace and is satisfied.
Student Insight:
Annie Roberts’19 (R.N. to B.S. Completion Program)
"I'm grateful to have Professor Stevens teaching me as a part of my higher education journey. She has supported and encouraged me during this process. There were times when I felt like quitting and she shared about her educational experience when she felt like giving up too and how she persevered. Professor Stevens has shown me compassion and empathy. She is very knowledgeable about nursing and always makes sure that we, as a class, understand the lessons that we are working on. I feel blessed to be a part of the Roberts Wesleyan family."
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