Every Thursday and Friday, Justin Putzier arrives at Mercy College of Health Sciences with a clear sense of purpose. He comes with the hope and conviction that he can make a difference.
Justin has cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects movement, posture, balance, muscle coordination, and learning. For several years, he has volunteered his time and himself to support nursing students in the Fundamentals of Nursing lab. During these sessions, students practice taking vital signs, performing physical assessments, and delivering hands-on care in a real, human-centered setting.
“I think it’s beneficial for all parties involved,” Putzier said. “They get a chance to see some abnormal findings on me, and they also have an opportunity to evaluate existing and emerging medical problems.”
Justin’s motivation to volunteer is rooted in personal experience. Throughout his life, he has encountered healthcare providers who lacked the knowledge or confidence to care for patients with disabilities. Those experiences shaped his desire to help future nurses learn how to provide compassionate, competent care to every patient.
Providing compassionate care is foundational to every program at Mercy College, and that commitment extends to patients of all abilities.
“I hope students gain what it’s like to take care of a human being,” Putzier said, “but especially someone who is physically challenged, in a wheelchair, or using a walker, because we are all humans created by God, and every human has something different about them.”
“I hope students gain what it’s like to take care of a human being,” Putzier said, “but especially someone who is physically challenged, in a wheelchair, or using a walker, because we are all humans created by God, and every human has something different about them.”
Justin was drawn to Mercy College because of its strong Catholic identity, and it is his connection to the College and its students that keeps him coming back year after year.
“God has put me in this situation for these students, whom I just love,” he said.
His impact has not gone unnoticed. Nursing faculty consistently observe the depth and authenticity he brings to the learning experience.
“Justin’s willingness to volunteer not only demonstrates incredible generosity but also transforms learning into a deeply human experience,” said Lisa Martin, assistant professor of nursing. “By sharing his time and perspective, he reminds future nurses that compassion and collaboration are at the heart of quality care, and that every patient, regardless of ability or difference, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.”
