Mount St. Mary’s University Opens School of Health Professions

Alisha Yocum

It was an exciting day not only for Mount St. Mary’s University but for the town of Emmitsburg on October 19. Patrica Hill-Callahan, Vice President for Advancement and Class of ’87, welcomed a crowd of people to the ribbon-cutting of Mount St. Mary’s Timothy E. Trainor School of Health Professions—a building that will help meet the growing demand for healthcare professionals.

The Mount is currently offering programs for Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis and will start its Master of Medical Science – Physician Assistant Program in January 2026. Blue Peak Center for Applied Behavior Analysis (BPC) welcomed the first clients in 2025.

The idea for the School of Health Professions originated with former President Emeritus Dr. Timothy Trainor, who served as the university’s president from 2016 to 2024. Trainor said he never expected to receive such an honor but was grateful to the many people who brought the vision to life.

“You know you have a winning idea when so many partners come together to make it happen,” said President Dr. Gerard Joyce, as he thanked donors and collaborators from across the medical field for helping make the project a reality.

Dr. Christine McCauslin, who serves as Dean, said, “This has been a long journey in the making. It defines our commitment to education, the development of healthcare leaders, and our heart for service—values rooted in both our Catholic tradition and the needs of our community.”

At the Blue Peak Center, Registered Behavior Therapist Faith Bruchey works directly with children under age six. The program offers applied behavior analysis, early intervention, coping skills for behavior management, and social skill development. “I think this is so important for the community,” Bruchey said. “There aren’t many Applied Behavior Analysis clinics in this area, so it’s great to see these services expanding in Frederick County into Pennsylvania and beyond.”

McCauslin added that seeing the dedicated staff working with children at the center reinforces the Mount’s mission in action. “It’s truly inspiring,” she said.

The Physician Assistant Program will address critical community workforce needs and include a Center for Clinician Well-Being to train students to be mentally, emotionally, and spiritually prepared to avoid burnout—a leading reason why many healthcare professionals leave the field.

Mary Jackson, MMS, PA-C, CAQ-EM, and Class of ’01, has been named Program Director for the Physician Assistant Program. “Nothing about this program is ordinary,” Jackson said. “We will focus specifically on addressing healthcare inequity and clinician burnout.” Faculty will maintain active clinical roles to ensure their teaching remains directly connected to real-world practice.

The school will also have a positive impact on the local community, bringing much-needed healthcare services to the rural area.

“We are going to impact many lives for many years to come,” said McCauslin.

To learn more about the school, visit https://msmary.edu/academics/schools-divisions/school-of-health-professions/index.html. Arts & Entertainment