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Nurturing Health: Meet the Clinic Team
Nurturing Health: Meet the Clinic Team
Francis Simone ’27 contributed to this article
In our Paul VI community, there are quite a few departments, each filled with staff who work tirelessly in order to provide a quality experience for our students and families. There is one department that may not be top of mind, but is certainly a crucial part of our school: the clinic.
Staffed by Mrs. Julie Eyerman, RN; Mrs. Ely Ferrufino, CCMA; and Mrs. Linda Kryvoruka, RN; the clinic is located in the main hallway on the first floor and plays a critical role in maintaining both stability and good health throughout our school community. All three women share the same love of science, working with people, and providing aid to those in need — and for those reasons, chose to pursue a career in nursing.
All three of our clinic nurses are well trained. Mrs. Eyerman is a graduate of The Catholic University of America, which she describes as “a great experience which provided amazing clinicals in area hospitals.” Before coming to PVI, she worked for 34 years in pediatrics and triage within hospitals.
Mrs. Ferrufino is originally from Bolivia (South America) and studied at San Simón Medical University. She has over twelve years of experience as an adult and pediatric nurse. In South America, she worked in a childbirth and maternity hospital, and also served as a surgical assistant. After coming to the United States, she worked as a clinical medical assistant and nurse in an OBGYN clinic and then in a pediatric clinic. Now at PVI, Mrs. Ferrufino is able to combine two of her passions: her faith and her love of the medical field.
Mrs. Kryvoruka graduated from Saint Joseph University with a Master’s degree in Nurse Anesthesia and Health Administration and worked as a nurse anesthetist for over 33 years. “I worked from Level 1 burn and trauma centers to outpatient surgery units — all levels of anesthetic care.”
PVI is more than just a place to work for the clinic team; all three nurses are moms and have had children who graduated or are currently attending PVI. Mrs. Eyerman’s two daughters and two sons graduated from PVI; Mrs. Ferrufino has two daughters, one who graduated in 2023 and another who is a junior; and Mrs. Kryvoruka has a son who graduated in 2012.
The clinic does most of its important work behind the scenes and helps shape daily life at PVI in more ways than one. The clinic staff helps students with specific medical needs safely take part in their school activities, provides crucial medical support, administers first aid, and gives students a place to come if they feel ill. They handle everything from a simple papercut to calling 911. The majority of the clinic’s care is in between — which sometimes brings gray areas. The nurses need to use good nursing assessment, their nursing knowledge, and experience to care for students.
The clinic also keeps both students and staff healthy and happy by offering basic medical advice, encouraging a healthy lifestyle, and performing health screenings. They help with overall public health by reviewing immunization compliance, monitoring for any contagious illness, and managing state, county, and diocesan required health forms. The clinic also sponsors workshops and trainings to keep faculty and staff up to date and compliant with diocesan required trainings such as CPR.
“The clinic is an essential piece of the school’s workings and frequently works with other departments to help support the students and our school community,” shares Mrs. Eyerman. Mrs. Ferrufino elaborates, noting, “The clinic follows our Catholic faith in providing care for everyone who needs it with grace and compassion.”
“The clinic is a safe harbor for students struggling physically and mentally,” shares Mrs. Kryvoruka. “We offer supportive and clinical care to all, and call in appropriate resources as necessary, including a change in clothes as needed. All of our collective years as nurses and moms help our students in many ways.”
All in all, the clinic is a subtle anchor in our school. Without a clinic — and without the remarkable staff who runs it — PVI’s students and staff would lack a place to go when they need medical advice and care, require medications, or just need a safe place to be for a quiet moment. The clinic is a key part of the school that helps care for the well-being of the community.
