Commencement 2024

Harris Oberlander, a degreed social worker and CEO of Trinity Alliance since 2004, embodies the mission of the Sisters of Mercy by serving the underserved with unbridled passion, respect, sincerity, and dignity.

Oberlander graduated from the University at Albany School of Social Welfare with a bachelor degree in 1980 and a master degree in social work from Yeshiva University in 1983.

After a career as an individual and family therapist, clinical supervisor, and administrator, Oberlander joined Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region as CEO and quickly became universally recognized as a transformational leader in the Albany community, advocating for those on the margins to improve the quality of life of disenfranchised communities throughout the Capital District. His vision and leadership have created groundbreaking initiatives, partnerships, and alliances.

His achievements include merging Trinity and the Arbor Hill Community Center to expand accessibility to Trinity’s services and launching the renowned Family and Neighborhood Resource Center at Trinity. In response to escalating youth gun violence, he was instrumental in creating SNUG (GUNS spelled backward), an anti-violence program focused on reducing gun violence by providing proactive intervention for gang activity for at-risk youth. He created the Capital South Campus Center (CSCC), which allows adults to participate in the growing technology economy, earn their GEDs, and obtain vocational training.

Sister Gail Waring, RSM, ‘63 has committed her life to serving others as a Sister of Mercy. A St. Peter’s Hospital graduate nurse of 1960 and a Maria College graduate in 1963, she credits her many accomplishments in community health directly to being a nurse and loving the profession. After graduating from Maria College, she has served with dignity, good grace, and humor as a faculty member and board member at Maria College, Vice President of Mission Services at St. Peter’s Health Partners, member of the Circles of Mercy’s Board of Trustees, and member of the Health Partners Board at Whitney Young.

As she’s affectionately known, Sister Gail has long supported community health planning at St. Peter’s Health Services, the Neighborhood Based Alliance, the Healthy Capital District Initiative (HCDI), and other organizations. She was awarded the NYSPHA (New York State Public Health Association) Community Leadership Award in 2009, and she received further recognition from the New York State Legislature in 2012 for her accomplishments and contributions to the benefit of others.

She has contributed her time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always given of herself unconditionally. Her 30-year career at St. Peters Health Partners and her work in the community has created new or expanded health services, including school-based dental programs, enrollment programs for public health insurance applicants, neighborhood-based addiction recovery services, pediatric care, and dental services. Her dedication to protecting vulnerable populations has resulted in the development of the St. Peter’s Charity Care program, which enables more than 1,000 St. Peter’s patients to receive free or subsidized health services each year.

Dr. Mary Jo LaPosta, Ph.D., RN, NEA-BC, Maria College Board Chair, retired Senior Vice President for Patient Care and Organizational Excellence/ Chief Nursing Officer at Saratoga Hospital, and past President of the Northeastern New York Organization of Nurse Executives, has been the epitome of the Sister of Mercy values throughout her nearly five-decade nursing career.

Before earning her Doctorate from Adelphi University, Dr. LaPosta received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Russell Sage College, where she was named the Kellas Scholar.

During her distinguished career, LaPosta has held numerous executive leadership positions, including Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at North Shore University Hospital, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Albany Medical Center, and Director of Women’s and Children’s Services and Social Work/Continuing Care at St. Peter’s Hospital.

For her contribution to the nursing profession and her service to others she has been recognized with awards including the Partners in Lifelong Learning Award from Excelsior College, NYONE Leadership Award – Northeastern Region, the NYSNA District 9 Nursing Excellence in Administration/Management Award, and the Distinguished Leader Award, Delta Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau.

In addition to her career contributions, Dr. LaPosta has shaped the nursing profession and the careers of other nurses as a member of the American Organization of Nurse Executives, the New York Organization of Nurse Executives, and the New York State Nurses Association (District 9) and as an active advisor to Maria College, Hudson Valley Community College, Russell Sage College, and Excelsior College.