SXU Nursing Students Meet Olympic Gold Medalist
Saint Xavier University (SXU) nursing students recently had an exciting surprise during their community health clinical at Most Holy Redeemer School when they met Abbey Murphy, Olympic Gold Medalist. An alumna of Most Holy Redeemer, Murphy is an ice hockey forward for the U.S. Olympic Women's Hockey Team.
The SXU Junior II student nurses were at the school to complete their five-week community clinical health rotation, where their focus was on teaching and promoting a health concept to the entire student body, grades Pre-K through eighth. The student nurses divided up into three groups and over five weeks explored "Start with the Heart: Exercise, Sports, and Safety." The topic, which promotes healthy living and care for the body, was timely for Murphy's visit.
Murphy spoke to the student body with inspiring and hopeful words, sharing that anything is possible with belief and perseverance. Murphy has two Olympic medals, one gold and one silver, and has four medals from the World Championships.
Murphy also spoke very highly of her parents. Her mother, Lynne Murphy, is an SXU nursing alumna and currently works in the emergency department of Advocate Christ Hospital.
"Abbey's familial connection to SXU's School of Nursing provided an additional layer of coincidence, making this experience serendipitous," said Mariann Kerley, clinical adjunct professor.
Most Holy Redeemer pastor Reverend Thomas Hurley led the students in a prayerful moment, inviting everyone in attendance to extend their hands and surround Murphy with a spiritual embrace and blessing, a meaningful moment for SXU nursing students, who also aspire to make a positive impact on those around them.
"I could not have thought of a better finale than showcasing the optimal effects of caring for one's heart, exercising, playing sports safely, and living life fully with a positive mental attitude and an ignited spirit – all embodied in a genuinely kind and caring soul as Olympic Gold Medalist Abbey Murphy!" added Kerley.