Stephanie Olivieri, a Molloy University Nursing student has been named a 2025 Flynn Foundation Fellow. As the country’s largest privately-funded program of its kind, the Flynn Foundation addresses the critical need for more and better-prepared oncology nurses. The nonprofit works with nursing schools, leading cancer hospitals, and philanthropic partners to inspire and attract students to paid fellowships that offer unique clinical experience, expert education in compassionate care, mentoring, and a pathway to their desired careers.
The Molloy junior from West Islip is looking to become an oncology nurse and was excited when she saw the email encouraging students to apply for the Flynn Fellowship. Only five positions were available, three in adult oncology and two in pediatric oncology. The selection process included three separate interviews and concluded with a call from New York Presbyterian Hospital informing her that she had been selected for the prestigious honor.
The Flynn Foundation was started in 2013 by Fred Flynn in memory of his wife, Susan, who valiantly battled stage 4 ovarian cancer. During her three-year fight, Susan found tremendous comfort in compassionate support from the oncology nurses. To date, the Flynn Foundation has mentored 300 Flynn Fellows.
Stephanie has a personal understanding of the cancer journey and the difference a compassionate nurse can make during such a challenging time. In 2019, at just 15 years old Stephanie was diagnosed with metastatic Ewing’s Sarcoma. She was treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York City and underwent a year of chemotherapy and proton radiation. Her scans showed no evidence of disease after the year of treatment.
Then in Spring 2024 one of Stepanie’s frequent follow-up scans showed a reemergence of the cancer. She knew she would have to reenter treatment but was concerned about missing her Nursing classes. Upon speaking with her Nursing professors, she knew she would be supported and could concentrate on fighting her cancer while remaining fully enrolled in the nursing program. This time she was able to manage her treatment at the Long Island branch of MSKCC. She successfully finished her treatment on Feb 24, 2025. She also earned a 4.0 GPA while in treatment.
“When you go into cancer treatment, you get to know the nurses on a very personal level,” said Stephanie. “I have a great doctor, but I only get five minutes of his time when I see him. The nurses are the people who are with you through it all.”
“Stephanie is sharing unique insight into the critical role that nurses play in health care,” said Associate Dean and Director Rose Schecter, PhD, RN. “She notes that the nurses are with you through it all! She is right, nurses are. Additionally, she is correct that her personal experience will bring a unique perspective to the nurse she is becoming. We are all very proud of her accomplishments and look for her to become a leader in the profession.”
When asked how her experience has influenced her as a nurse Stephanie responded “Part of being a nurse is being sympathetic. Having been a cancer patient enables me to be empathetic which will be a great asset.”
Having had the pediatric patient experience herself, she selected to work in adult oncology during her fellowship. She hopes the Flynn Fellowship will allow her to work with many different types of patients, conditions, and treatments. She will be working at New York Presbyterian from May 27th through July 18th and will graduate from Molloy in May of 2026 with her BS degree in nursing.
“My ultimate goal is to return to school after graduation to become a Nurse Practitioner,” said Stephanie. “Nurse Practitioners are the people who become like friends and are the ones by your side advocating for you during treatment.”