Last updated on Apr 5, 2017
By Jada Butler
Assistant News Editor
After seven years of service to the LIU community, university nurse, Constance Montalbano retired on Feb. 28, 2017. The staff at the Center for Healthy Living agreed that Montalbano’s presence in Pell Hall will be missed. Montalbano was loved by her staff and colleagues. “There are no negative words to describe her,” Lynne Schwartz, Director of the Center for Healthy Living, said. “She’s on to the next venture in life. We all wish her well.”
Montalbano’s retirement has left a vacancy in the registered nurse position for the Center of Healthy Living. In her absence, students are unable to receive health care on campus or referrals for specialized care or treatment. The campus health center was moved to NYIT in 2014, when the campus no longer provided a doctor nor on-campus ambulance service. Health care services for LIU Post students is available at the NYIT Academic Health Center.
While the search for a replacement nurse is being conducted, students are being seen by the staff, consisted of part-time counseling consultants, at the Center for Healthy Living in Pell Hall, room 154. LIU staff members refer students to NYIT for any student that needs medical services, or students can contact the center directly at 516-686-1300.
If the student does not have a car to travel to NYIT, the university will provide them with transportation via shuttle service, according to Schwartz. In the case of an emergency, in accordance with university protocol, Public Safety and/or a Northwell Health System ambulance will be called for immediate attention to the situation. “[So far] everything has been going very smoothly,” Schwartz said. Representatives from the NYIT Academic Health Center did not respond back to the Pioneer’s inquiries about the recent services provided for Post students since Montalbano’s retirement.
There are plans to replace Montalbano with a new nurse on campus. The Human Resources Department is working with the Dean of Students and the Center for Healthy Living staff to interview qualified NY State licensed registered nurses(RNs) or licensed practical nurses (LPNs) with clinical experience in a healthcare setting and experience in a college clinical, health or medical setting, according to Abigail Van Vlerah, Dean of Students. Other qualifications for the replacement include a degree from an accredited nursing program and current CPR/AED and First Aid Certifications.
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