MAY 2025
Deanna Stewart set to retire in June
Will leave legacy of elevating philanthropy, deepening relationships and being profoundly grateful for the experience
After spending a decade leading the Mount Carmel Foundation, President Deanna Stewart announced her plans to retire at the end of next month. “Over the last 10 years, we’ve come through a time of great change, opportunity and chaos, not the least of which was the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Deanna. “Now, we are in a good place. I feel confident that I can leave the Foundation in a better place than I found it.”
Elevating philanthropy at Mount Carmel, alongside her small, hard-working team, included moving it from an event-based, transactional-type philosophy to one that focuses on deeper relationship – with donors, colleagues, corporate partners and the community.
“I’m proud of what we’ve done, and grateful for the support of my board, Mount Carmel and Trinity Health leadership, and especially my colleagues, including the Foundation team, and too many others throughout the system to name,” Deanna says. “If I had to name a single individual who most influenced my work here, it would be Sister Barbara Hahl. She was a visible, active embodiment of the Mission and always made clear that all of our work is done through a mission-focused lens.”
Deanna cites philanthropic support of Mount Carmel Grove City, expansion at Mount Carmel East, Dublin Capital Campaign and the $3.1 million Legacy of Learning Campaign for Mount Carmel College of Nursing as having the most substantive impact on the health system. And she’s especially proud of the generosity demonstrated each year during the annual Colleague Giving Campaign. “The people who work here are exceptional. They are generous and want to give back. I’m profoundly grateful for their support,” she says.
“As I step into my next chapter, what I want most for Mount Carmel is to continue delivering exceptional health care in the Catholic tradition,” says Deanna. “I believe, as the system continues to evolve and grow, it will help more people know about the amazing work we do. Elevating our messaging and market position are important. We need to own and step into that space, in a way that’s appropriate, balancing our humility with a sense of pride. It’s okay to talk about the compassionate and transformative work Mount Carmel leads in the community,” she adds with a smile.
A national search is well underway for the next president. “Whoever that fortunate individual is, they will receive a warm welcome to the best job of their life,” says Deanna. “They’ll be walking into an environment where everything is working well and is ready to go to the next level.”
National Mental Health Awareness Month: CTAP brings hope and help to victims of crime and other trauma
For more than 25 years, Mount Carmel has provided evidence-based, outpatient mental health counseling for people impacted by trauma, helping survivors take steps toward healing through CTAP, its Crime and Trauma Assistance Program.
“We have a team of independently-licensed, clinical social workers who provide trauma counseling and treatment at no cost to the client,” says Stacey Conrad, MPH, who manages the CTAP program as well as Mount Carmel’s von Zychlin Healthy Living Center. “The five therapists are complemented by a clinical case manager who can help with referrals to other agencies when needed.”
CTAP counseling services are in high demand and Stacey notes “I can’t remember a time when this program was without a wait list of people requesting our help.”
“Our therapists are trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy, which helps clients with Posttraumatic Stress symptoms to let go of the parts of upsetting experiences that they no longer need,” Stacey says. “It’s highly effective and has helped many in our care significantly reduce their PTSD symptoms and no longer be defined by their trauma.”
From the client’s perspective:
“Had it not been for the help from the victim assistance program, I would not have had access to the quality of care I received.”
“The EMDR has been life-changing and enabled me to build hope and confidence. My outlook has greatly improved.”
CTAP is able to provide services at no cost due to continued financial support from local and federal grants, as well as generous donations to the Mount Carmel Foundation. Visit the donation page to contribute to the program and choose Crime and Trauma Assistance Program from the drop-down menu.
Mount Carmel College of Nursing 2025 Commencement
On May 10, Mount Carmel College of Nursing (MCCN) held its 121st commencement ceremony, conferring degrees on graduates of various course of study offered at the College, including bachelor, master and doctorate-level nurses.
Nearly 90% of MCCN students receive financial assistance to help pay for the cost of their nursing education. For the most recent academic year, 217 scholarships were provided. The total awarded was $545,175, with $488,175 coming directly through the Mount Carmel Foundation from its generous donors.
Attending Mount Carmel College of Nursing has been one of the best experiences. Following my passion to becoming a nurse has been exciting, nerve-racking, and tough. Despite these challenges, I wouldn't change this experience for the world. I cannot thank you enough for supporting my journey through nursing school. I appreciate your generosity more than you know. Thank you so much!
—Hannah Brown
If you’d like to make a gift to support nursing education, click here.
American Stroke Month: Foundation supports professional development to advance stroke care
Professional development is key to keeping Mount Carmel on the leading edge of patient care. The Foundation’s Mike Wilkins Colleague Education Fund donors provide support for colleagues and clinicians to advance their knowledge, learn about new strategies and practices, and network with other leading practitioner and organizations.
Earlier this year, Neuro Clinical Nurse Specialist Holly Helfant, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, CNRN, SCRN, was one of the Mount Carmel nurses who attended the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference in Los Angeles.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Foundation for giving us this amazing opportunity to learn and network among neuroscience leaders throughout the world,” Holly says.
“We attended a very interesting panel discussion between different neurologists sharing their different perspective and preferences for blood pressure management post stroke. Nurses who attended will be able to share this knowledge by presenting on this interesting topic at our annual Mount Carmel Neuro education day, “Brain Daze,” later this summer,” she adds.
“Brain Daze” is required for all units at Mount Carmel East who take stroke patients and is optional for the other Mount Carmel campuses. The course is offered live and virtually, and also recorded and uploaded into Healthstream, our colleague education site. It remains available there for any colleagues throughout the following year.
Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S.
Mount Carmel East, Grove City and St. Ann's have each received the Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award as well as numerous other recognitions for the highest standard and quality of care for stroke patients.
Learn more about Mount Carmel’s stroke services and take an online assessment of your stoke risk.