WELCOMING ALUMNI HOME

disease had all decreased. Additionally, for the first time, diabetes prevalence in American Indians and Alaska Native People decreased (and did so consistently) for four years, a feat never accomplished by the general U.S. population nor any other U.S. racial or ethnic group. “Studying at Saint Elizabeth University equipped me to succeed in my career in Indian health by preparing me to serve in clinical, community and foodservice settings,” says Kibbe. “When you’re working with this population, it’s just you. You’re it. You’re the resource, and you have to apply everything you’ve learned. I don’t think any other program could have educated me better than SEU’s dietetic internship.”

Food is Medicine

We have all been told that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” As children, this was largely used by parental figures to curb junk food cravings, but what if there is more truth to this age-old adage? What if our bodies can begin to heal themselves through the food we eat?

SUE DAUGHERTY, a 1998 graduate of SEU’s dietetic internship program, has dedicated her life to advocating for food to be used as medicine. The CEO of MANNA, a nonprofit organization that uses nutrition to improve health for people with serious illnesses, Sue firmly believes in the power of nutrition, but also recognizes its potential unavailability. “Nothing is more frustrating than seeing healthcare providers prescribe medically tailored, complicated diets to folks who don’t have access to them,” stresses Sue. “I’m a dietitian and if someone prescribed me a renal diet, it would be really hard for me to follow that. How do they expect someone from a vulnerable population, who is living well below the poverty line without any support, to do it?” The answer to that question is MANNA. Considered the pharmacy for a client’s prescription diet, MANNA provides nutritional counseling and a complete meal program to roughly 1,600 people. This means that clients are provided with three meals, seven days a week, that have been nutritionally designed to meet their individual needs at no cost to them.

Due to these services, researchers found that MANNA clients have a 31% savings in healthcare costs and 50% fewer hospital visits. Simply put, a medically tailored diet works. However, insurance typically will not pay for these diets for more than 12 weeks.

“We had a patient with Type 2 diabetes who went on a medically tailored diet and could come off their insulin. However, if they stopped this diet, they would require insulin again,” explains Sue, who is advocating for policy change to mandate coverage for medically tailored meals. “Insurance will cover insulin forever, despite it costing thousands of dollars, but they will not pay for nutritional intervention for more than a few months.”

MANNA is not trying to replace the role of medication in treating serious illnesses but rather enhance its efficacy through food. “You can take all the medication you want, but if your body is not properly nourished, it won’t be able to absorb the medication as well as it could,” says Sue. “These medically tailored meals are to be used in conjunction with medication.”

Sue’s commitment to advocacy and helping those in need reflects SEU’s core tenet of leadership in service to others.

You can take all the medication you want, but if your body is not properly nourished, it won’t be able to absorb the medication as well as it could.”

CAMPUS EVENTS

Leaving home for the first time and moving into our residence halls is a big change for our students. Freshman move-in is always an exciting, albeit nerve-racking, experience. During this year’s Mass of the Holy Spirit, students from 28 of the University’s clubs, organizations and athletic teams brought forward a symbol representing their unique talents and abilities.

Each year, SEU celebrates the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi by encouraging our community to bring their beloved pets to campus for a blessing. SEU’s Eagles Fair not only exposes students to the clubs and organizations on campus but also introduces them to potential volunteer, internship and part-time work experiences.

Members of the Florham Park Police Department met with more than 70 SEU students for an ice cream social. “Ice Cream with Cops” works to build a better relationship between the community and law enforcement.

GLOBAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM HELPS STUDENTS FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS

“Most of the kids I grew up with are on the streets, locked up or didn’t make it,” says IZAIAH

CRAFTON, ‘23.

Raised in a neighborhood wrought with violence, Izaiah could have easily followed in the footsteps of his peers. However, his father being incarcerated when Izaiah was 7 changed the trajectory of his life. “My dad being away helped me to see the bigger picture,” explains Izaiah. “He would always tell me there are better things in life.”

Imprisoned for more than a decade, Izaiah’s father was concerned that his son might end up on the streets. To ensure Izaiah’s safety, he encouraged him to enroll in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America program. It was there that Izaiah met his mentor, Alan, who became a constant source of support in his life. Despite these positive interventions, Izaiah struggled with motivating himself academically during high school. As a result, his grades slipped, and it seemed unlikely that he would attend a four-year institution. “Many people didn’t even think I would ever make it to college,” says Izaiah. “But SEU’s Global Scholars program gave me my final shot at earning a college degree.” The Global Scholars program is a free residential program intended to strengthen academic skills through tutoring, mentorship, workshops and intensive support. Because of this program, Izaiah is now working diligently toward earning his bachelor’s in sport management and marketing and recently earned an internship with the New York Jets. “I’ve always been a huge Jets fan, and I’ve been trying to get an internship with them since freshman year,” recalls Izaiah. “I do event coordinating, which consists of fan fest, setting up activities and festivals.” Earning this position is particularly meaningful for Izaiah because of his personal connection to the team. Prior to his father’s incarceration, the pair would always attend Jets games together, and Izaiah’s mentor has continued this tradition.

After graduating from SEU, Izaiah either wants to continue working within the sports industry and become an athletic director or he would like to become a police officer. Currently a security officer for a local mall, Izaiah is considering entering law enforcement to bring about changes in his community. “Being a security officer at the mall might not be a big deal to others, but it is to me,” says Izaiah. “I want to become a police officer so I can make a real change in the world.“

Regardless of his career path, we know Izaiah will fulfill his goal.

Many people didn’t even think I would ever make it to college, but SEU’s Global Scholars program gave me a final shot at earning a college degree.”