Newsroom

Recent News

Patient burnout research

May 17, 2022Campus News

Groundbreaking Research Shows Patient Role in Burnout

Setting up a research table for several weeks at an East Los Angeles farmer’s market was unconventional for sure. But it turned out to be the perfect place for Associate Professor Adrienne Martinez...

Florence Edwards (left) poses with one of the seniors she worked with.

May 9, 2022Campus News

Family Tragedy Led Her to Nursing

At the age of 12, Florence Edwards, BSN ’22, was running errands for her mom. She crossed the street near her home in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana, and headed to pick up a few items from a nearby shop...

Psychiatric mental health doctor of nurse practitioner

May 3, 2022Campus News

New Psychiatric Mental Health DNP Program Designed to Address Crisis

Our country is in a mental health crisis that began even before the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The arrival of COVID-19 exacerbated the situation, triggering surges in depression and anxiety...

Campus News

Leada Malek DPT '16

April 25, 2022

From Pandemic Furlough to Entrepreneur, Social Media Influencer, and Athleta Partner

Leada Malek, DPT '16, still remembers her Management of Physical Therapy Services class from five years ago. Assistant Professor Heidi Garske asked students, “Do you have the entrepreneurial spirit?”...

Professor Paulina Van

April 19, 2022

What to Give to Inspire and Enrich

When nursing Professor Paulina Van decided to establish a scholarship, it made sense to create one for Samuel Merritt University nursing students who plan to care for mothers and infants. For years...

Dave Lawlor

April 12, 2022

SMU’s Dave Lawlor Sees Rapid Growth Ahead

A trip at age 17 to visit relatives in the Bay Area changed Dave Lawlor’s life. He was so taken with the sense of opportunity that he decided to relocate from his native Ireland. He stayed for college...

Daisy Rios and Jonny Navarro

March 30, 2022

Family Values: Sister and Brother Dream of Opening OT Practice

Daisy Rios, OTD ’22, and Jonathan Rios Navarro, OTD ’24, are a package deal. They always have been and, according to their future plans, they always will be. The sister and brother are 28 and 24 years...

In Their Own Words

Alumna Sierra Bailey poses Alta Bates Summit Medical Center.

March 15, 2022

How I Became a Heart Attack Nurse

On the nights and weekends that I’m on call, I don’t venture much beyond my home. Even grocery shopping is tricky. When I get a page, I have just 30 minutes to be at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center...

Lisa Rangel, BSN '22, poses outside the Oakland campus.

February 7, 2022

Why BSN Student Lisa Rangel Joined the New Public Health Certificate Program

Lisa Rangel, BSN ’22, Public Health Certificate ’22, is just a few months away from a career in public service and healthcare. In May, she’ll graduate from the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program...

Student Rhaven McIver, CRNA ’21, offers tips for CRNA school.

October 11, 2021

Pageant Winner, YouTuber, and Soon-to-Be Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Miss Black New York USA winner and nurse anesthetist student Rhaven McIver, CRNA '21, talks about her path to SMU and how she uses the power of personal videos to help others understand what to expect...

Skye Schmelzer

June 30, 2021

Coming to Terms with the History of Unjust Healthcare for the LBGTQIA+ Community

Skye Schmelzer, (they/she), MPA ’21, believes it’s vital for healthcare workers to understand the history of care provided to the queer and transgender communities, which has often left them sidelined...

View News Archive

Media Matters

January 21, 2022

SMU Receives $2M Fed Grant to Combat Healthcare Workers Burnout

LA Times

September 27, 2021

Sharon Diaz, a nurse who led Oakland's Samuel Merritt University for decades, dies at 75

San Francisco Chronicle

September 13, 2021

Physician Assistant program Chair Michael DeRosa talks about the profession and developments at SMU

PA Path Podcast

September 10, 2021

Samuel Merritt University Plans New Campus in Downtown Oakland

San Francisco Business Times

July 20, 2021

College of Nursing Dean Lorna Kendrick discusses so-called 'pill mills,' where opiates were handed out with little or no regulation.

Good Nurse, Bad Nurse (podcast)