HWS News
4 November 2026 From HWS to Health Care
Through hands-on clinical training, Hobart and William Smith students are gaining experience in patient care while exploring their future in the health professions.
For students preparing for careers in nursing, medicine or other health professions, understanding patient care begins long before medical school or professional training. This summer, five Hobart and William Smith students took an important step toward their goals by completing a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification program through Finger Lakes Community College.
The program gave students an opportunity to apply their academic studies in a clinical setting, develop patient-care skills and explore their professional interests.
“We have heard from many that the CNA role is one of the best to help a student truly understand the health care system,” says Jeremy Elliott-Engel, Ph.D., associate director of S.T.E.M. Employer Development and Engagement. HWS also partnered with Finger Lakes Health to help students find local employment, while those returning to their home states could pursue similar opportunities.
The four-week program combined seven to eight hours of daily classroom instruction and simulation with 32 hours of supervised clinical experience at Thompson Continuing Care Center in Canandaigua. Students practiced essential skills, learned about patient privacy and safety, and assisted residents with daily activities under the supervision of a registered nurse instructor.
For biology major Ava Lobozzo ’27, the experience reinforced her goal of becoming a registered nurse.
“I want to help those in need and make a positive difference in their lives,” she says. “I hope to build a career where I can provide compassionate care and support to people during vulnerable and challenging times.”
The training helped Lobozzo connect concepts from her science courses to real-life patient care. She was also surprised by the responsibility involved and the importance of communication, patience and attention to detail.
Public health major Amalia Olivieri ’28 is considering a career as a registered nurse or physician assistant. The CNA program introduced her to clinical care, helped shape her academic interests and led to her first health care job.
“I was able to obtain my first job in the health care setting and learn what topics I am interested in, as well as which classes I will continue to take in the future,” Olivieri says.
She found the clinical experience particularly valuable, learning to navigate challenges in a patient-care setting. Olivieri plans to continue working as a nursing assistant at Geneva General Hospital while completing nursing school prerequisites at HWS.
“Experiences like these give students an opportunity to explore health care firsthand, connect their academic studies to patient care and make more informed decisions about their future careers,” Elliott-Engel says.
At top: Kayla Mosqueda '27, Amalia Olivieri '28, Maya Mahoney '27 and Fiona Gibbons '28.
