A Lived Life: Stories of Strength, Recovery, and Compassionate Care
This spring, the School of Nursing and Health Sciences launched A Lived Life—a new speaker series designed to bring personal health journeys into the classroom and connect students with the lived realities of patients, caregivers, and advocates.
The series debuted on Wednesday, March 19, with an inspiring talk by John Cervione ’87, Providence College alumnus and Board of Trustees member. Held in the brand-new Mondor Center for Nursing and Health Sciences, the event drew students, staff, and faculty from across campus to hear Cervione’s powerful story of overcoming Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that left him temporarily paralyzed.
Dean Kyle J. McInnis, Sc.D., welcomed the crowd and emphasized the importance of learning from real-life experiences in healthcare. Dr. Jillian Waugh, Assistant Clinical Professor of Nursing, introduced Cervione, highlighting his passion for Providence College and his long career in the healthcare sector.
During the conversation, Cervione reflected on the resilience, passion, and purpose that fueled his recovery, underscoring the profound role that compassionate healthcare played in his journey. His story gave attendees—particularly nursing students who recently began their clinicals—a deeper understanding of the physical and emotional challenges patients face. Cervione also shared the story of his “village,” as he put it—the team of healthcare professionals, family, and friends who gave him the strength to begin the path to healing.
With warmth and humor, McAleavey reflected on the shared challenges within the spinal cord injury community. “No two spinal cord injuries are the same,” he said, “but many of the struggles we’re left with are.” His presentation, infused with a voice first developed on WDOM radio, was a meaningful reminder of how empathy, support, and understanding shape the healthcare experience.
The series continued on April 23 with John McAleavey ’90, who was joined by his service dog YoKen from Canine Companions for Independence. At age 24, McAleavey sustained a Central Cord Syndrome injury to his cervical spine at the C-3/4 level. Since then, he has dedicated himself to advocacy through storytelling, launching The QuadCast, a podcast he describes as “a 30- to 45-minute session of OT/PT for the soul.”
A Lived Life offers students an invaluable opportunity to engage with healthcare through the lens of lived experience. By centering patient stories, the series deepens empathy and reinforces the importance of quality, compassionate care.
