ALUMNAE PROFILES
Ellen Blaha Minerd ’91 + Ellen Weist ’21: Nursing/Home Care Ellen Blaha Minerd ’91 is very familiar with the Magnificat Genesis program. Through the years and through a variety of jobs, Ellen has welcomed many Magnificat students to shadow her. Ellen, a Certified Nurse Practitioner, has worn many hats in her career. Her nursing studies began after graduating from Magnificat in 1991, completing her RN, BSN at Ohio Wesleyan University. Ellen has worked in a variety of hospital and healthcare settings, including starting an onsite fitness company. She later continued her education to obtain her MSN degree to become a Certified Nurse Practitioner, with a focus in Adult/Geriatric studies. Since then, she has worked exclusively with the senior population. Her latest venture is Daughters with Degrees, a company she cofounded with another Magnificat alumna, Eileen McGunagle ’86, providing compassionate home care. Ellen has always had a passion for helping others. Her own Magnificat Genesis project took her to Appalachia, where she completed classroom work and provided after school care for children. Fast forward a few years, as an established healthcare professional, she is happy to provide experience for Magnificat students interested in healthcare. Ellen stresses the need for more geriatric healthcare providers since the senior population continues to grow. She believes that the Genesis program gives students important real-life experience and insight into a potential career. Ellen’s most recent Genesis mentee is senior Ellen Weist ’21, who is considering a future in healthcare as well. During her experience at Daughters with Degrees, Weist was matched with a client needing assistance with meal prep, odd jobs around the house, running errands, getting to appointments, and grocery shopping. Weist’s experience gave her real insight into geriatric care, while gaining the skills to provide hands-on, compassionate care for others. “While completing my Genesis, I was truly surprised at how many different careers can come from a nursing degree,” Ellen (Weist) said. “When I first decided to go into nursing, I thought that nurses only worked in hospital or doctors office settings, but meeting Ellen Minerd and talking with her really opened my eyes to the various ways someone can use their degree. I enjoyed working with Ellen because she was easy to talk to, supportive, and we had a lot in common (other than just our names)! Through this project, I was inspired to look beyond working in a hospital setting and explore different
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"I was truly surprised at how many different careers can come from a nursing degree," said Ellen Weist '21. "Through this project, I was inspired to look beyond working in a hospital setting and explore different ways I can use my nursing degree." ways I could use my nursing degree once I graduate from college.” Ellen (Minerd), no doubt, will continue to be a generous resource for current, future, and past Magnificat students. Her mission for helping others has never ceased, and she has been an exemplary role model for learning, leading, and serving others in the Magnificat community and beyond.
MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | SPRING | SUMMER 2021
