College of Staten Island’s Nursing Students Put Community First, Bringing Expertise To NYC Marathon, Attending Multiple Health Fairs Across SI

CSI Nursing Students Bring Community Health to the Forefront

Editor’s note: Readers may remember Healthfest 2025 from our coverage earlier this month. This incredible health fair brought together rescuer training, screenings and assessments, gourmet food made by local high schoolers, and so much more in a community oriented health fair to remember.  Attendees may have seen the nursing students from CSI helping out with their sugar content, blood pressure, and other visual aids at their table.  See photos below, and youmay recognize these nurses from the title image of our photo slideshow below:

Registered Nurses pursuing their Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at the College of Staten Island are taking their learning beyond the classroom and into the community this semester. As part of their Community Health Nursing course (NUR 410), students are gaining valuable hands-on experience by participating in a series of local health fairs and major public health events across Staten Island and New York City.

Under the direction of Regina Gonzalez-Lama, RN, MS, and Cynthia Karczewski, Professors in the Department of Nursing, the group recently took part in three health fairs—two hosted on campus and another at Healthfest 2025 held at the Staten Island University Hospital Community Ballpark (home of the Staten Island Ferry Hawks), an event coordinated by SI CLIP featuring NFL Alumni. Students will also be taking part in Thursday’s Harvest Your Health Fair at CSI’s Campus Center. At these fairs, students provide free blood pressure screenings and share important information about blood pressure management and overall wellness.

Their commitment to community engagement will continue in the coming weeks, as the students will volunteer their time and expertise as medical support staff at the Staten Island Half Marathon on October 12 and the New York City Marathon on November 2. Through these experiences, CSI’s Nursing students are not only enhancing their clinical skills but also strengthening the College’s tradition of community service and health advocacy.

Check out the photos below for a first-hand look at how our students are engaging with the community and look for more photos soon from future events.

BP Fossella with nursing students at Healthfest 2025. Image Credit – CSI

Nursing students at Healthfest 2025. Image Credit – CSI

Nursing students at Healthfest 2025. Image Credit – CSI

Banner Image: BP Fossella with nursing students at Healthfest 2025. Image Credit – CSI