Jenna Sisselman, RN, the clinical nurse supervisor at LMU’s Student Health Services, encapsulates the past academic year’s work as “showing up,” emphasizing the team’s dedication to supporting students by embodying magis, doing more for others. She and the entire health care team focus on maintaining timely and efficient clinic operations, ensuring each student receives the best care. “We’re all about caring for the students,” said Sisselman.
In her position, Sisselman supports the staff, triages patients, ensures the clinic is well-stocked with medication and medical supplies, and monitors the clinic flow of patients. “Our days are filled with patients coming in and out every 20 minutes with back-to-back appointments,” said Sisselman. “At times, it’s a challenge keeping everything running smoothly. We need to get students in and out, between their classes, and ensure we provide them great care. I wish I had discovered LMU a decade ago. It’s a great place.”
SHS is busy throughout the academic year, operating comparably to an urgent care facility. “We can see up to 60 patients a day, covering a broad range of medical issues from stuffy noses to strep throat to broken bones and stitches from skateboard crashes,” said Sisselman. Our medical team includes Zarin Tejani, M.D., medical director, Katie Arce, FNP, SHS director, Joseph Gabriel, associate director, Jayne Mas, FNP, assistant director, Yashica Warren, FNP, Katharine Baldwin, RN, Carolyn Jackson, M.A., Maria Marcelo, M.A., Paulina Zacarias Mejia, M.A.
Sisselman stresses the importance of basic health practices and listening to students’ concerns. Given the close quarters of residence life at LMU, she recommends, “Get plenty of sleep, stay well-hydrated, eat a healthy diet, wash your hands, and wear a helmet,” said Sisselman. “These back-to-basics principles can keep students on track and healthy.”
Sisselman earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts and her RN degree from El Camino College. Before joining LMU, her career included nursing on UCLA’s liver transplant team, health care coordinator for a K-12 school in Maine (to creating and operating her own apparel brand, Cape Madras, for 15 years. “The best part of starting a clothing brand from scratch, was learning the business from the ground up,” said Sisselman. “I had to source the fabric in India, make patterns, create designs, and then sell the product wholesale to retailers. We had 5 sales reps that helped get the product into the marketplace, We also had 5 Cape Madras retail stores, 3 in Maine and 2 in Florida. It was such a great experience. Whether in health care or business, it’s all about creating meaningful connections with people.”
During the pandemic, Sisselman’s husband, Brian, taught remotely for LMU’s School of Film and Television. When LMU asked Brian to come teach in person, they decided to head to the West Coast once again. Prior to joining LMU in the fall of 2022, she worked in COVID-19 compliance for Torrance Unified School District.
Outside of working at LMU, Sisselman enjoys walking, reading, and swimming, this summer you might find her swimming laps on her lunch break at Burns Recreation Center this summer.
