SJC Lends Support to Medford Multicare Center for Living

September 25, 2011

PATCHOGUE, NY SEPTEMBER 26, 2011 St. Josephs College recently partnered with Medford Multicare Center for Living, a full-range nursing home facility offering geriatric services in Medford, NY, to honor the first graduating class of the Centers Adult Education Program. The ceremony honored 32 graduates, including a valedictorian and salutatorian.

Dr. Gail Lamberta, professor and department chairperson of recreation and leisure studies at SJC, has been a liaison between the College and the Center, helping students secure internships and coordinating site visits. She also served as this years keynote speaker.

"The reciprocal process of learning can foster creativity and challenge minds, regardless of age, said Dr. Lamberta. "When we open our minds and take the risk of learning something that perhaps is new and unfamiliar, we not only become more knowledgeable, but grow as people within our community and society at large. Learning keeps our minds young.

Carolyn OBrien, director of therapeutic recreation at the Center, created the program as a way for residents to increase their knowledge on topics of interest. The residents were given the opportunity to vote on topics they would like to learn about and the courses featured guest speakers and occasional field trips.

"We created this program and a classroom setting, because we wanted to tap into the intellectual aspects of the world around us, said Ms. OBrien. "Youre never too old to learn.

The one-hour courses were held once a week from September to June and included Space Exploration, History of Long Island, Going Green, Modern Art and Dance and Religion. New courses will be offered for the programs second year, which include Marine Biology, Famous Presidents, Artists and Painting, Prohibition, Honoring Our Soldiers and The U.S. Post Office.