CO LLEG E O F E D U CAT I O N
Q&A with Mary Fran Oskvarek ’89, ’11, ’18 Mary Fran
Stewardship, Leadership, and Learning concen-
experiences exceeded my expectation—truly
Oskvarek
tration was an ideal fit for me, given its focus
living up to the mission, vision and values of the
became a
on servant leadership. I saw it as an opportunity
university. What is most impressive about the
registered nurse
to further support my growth within health care
university is the support provided by professors
at the age of 19
leadership and gain additional tools to assist my
to ensure the success of every student.
after feeling
teams. Servant leaders care for those whom
called to serve
they lead and I find great personal satisfaction in
University of St. Francis has positively influenced
and advocate for
mentoring, guiding and supporting my staff.
my career path and professional success. The
Without a doubt, my educational journey at
Stewardship, Leadership, and Learning curric-
the sick. With time and experience, she was keen to recognize
IT IS EVIDENT THAT YOU ARE PASSIONATE
ulum is applicable to all professions and
that caregivers need support from leadership
ABOUT SERVING OTHERS. HOW HAS THE
organizations. My cohort included professionals
teams to be successful and provide excellent
SERVANT LEADERSHIP COMPONENT OF THE
with careers in education, marketing, finance,
care to others. She wanted to become one of
DOCTORAL PROGRAM INFLUENCED
social work and health care. Skills taught in the
those leaders, and was led back to USF to
SUCCESS IN YOUR CURRENT ROLE?
development of the dissertation foster critical
pursue advanced studies…four times, in fact. As
The ideals that embody servant leadership have
thinking and the importance of research, while
the proud holder of four USF degrees, Oskvarek
helped me to elevate each department I have
analytics and literature review lend additional
has learned a lot from the University of St.
led. Servant leaders mentor team members
support to leaders in all roles. Beyond these
Francis through the bachelor’s in Health Arts
to become more engaged, autonomous, and
skills, the servant leadership dynamic promotes
that she earned 1989, the master’s in Health
ultimately align themselves to the mission,
a healthy leader mindset to compassionately
Administration that she earned in 2011, the MSN
vision, and purpose of the organization. I am
care for those they lead and the organizations
degree she earned in 2018, and the Ed.D. in
most proud of the relationships that I have
they support.
Stewardship, Leadership, and Learning that she
developed as a servant leader and how I have
received from the College of Education at
contributed to the growth of associates at
the same time she was completing her MSN.
the hospital including those on my leadership
What are five things people might enjoy
She is quick to acknowledge the University of
team. As a servant leader, I focus on both the
learning about you?
St. Francis as playing a key role in her success.
professional and personal health and wellbeing
1. I enjoy cruising in the Caribbean with my family and fishing in the Northwoods.
of my staff. Caring for my team in this manner WHAT AND WHERE IS YOUR CURRENT JOB?
leads to higher satisfaction within the depart-
I am excited to share that I very recently
ment, which decreases turnover and improves
accepted a promotion to director of nursing
care for the patients we serve.
services and magnet research at Advocate
Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. In my
the doctoral program are servant leaders
previous role as manager of clinical operations
themselves. They use their extensive experi-
for day surgery, the post-anesthesia care unit,
ences to encourage practical candidate
and the O.R. holding room, I was responsible
exploration of how servant leaders respond to
for the oversight of approximately 25,000
a variety of situations.
I appreciate that the professors within
surgical cases annually while managing nearly 100 team members.
HOW DID YOU KNOW UNIVERSITY OF ST. FRANCIS WAS THE RIGHT PLACE TO PURSUE
WHAT WAS YOUR MOTIVATION FOR
AND EARN YOUR DOCTORAL DEGREE?
PURSUING A DOCTORAL DEGREE?
This was an easy decision. I completed my
I have always had a strong desire to continue
undergraduate degree at USF as well as my M.S.
developing professionally in an effort to support
in Health Administration. Along with my
my goal of mentoring others as a leader within
doctoral degree, I also earned an MSN in
an organization. USF’s Ed.D. program and the
Nursing Administration this past year and all four
14
Engaging Mind & Spirit Magazine
2. I was a musician and played trumpet for 10 years, which was how I met my “rock star” husband of 31 years. 3. I enjoy supporting my husband and the various local bands that he performs with. 4. I volunteer at a local homeless shelter twice a month. 5. “Oskvarek” means “bacon bits” in Slovak!
