Explore a transformative education at MCLA's Department of Health Professions, with programs offered both on our main campus and at North Adams Regional Hospital.
Our Nursing, Public Health and Community Health Education, and Radiologic Technology programs are designed to prepare you for success in today’s most in-demand healthcare fields.
At MCLA, learning goes beyond the classroom. You’ll gain valuable insights from experienced teacher-practitioners in collaborative, team-based environments, while honing your skills in state-of-the-art labs and through hands-on internship opportunities. Our Global Health and study-abroad courses will expand your worldview, offering unique learning experiences that foster a global perspective in your healthcare career.
Whether you're starting your career or looking to advance your expertise, the Department of Health Professions at MCLA is your gateway to a future of impact and leadership in healthcare. Join us and become part of the next generation of healthcare professionals, driving change and making a lasting difference in the industry.
At MCLA Health Professions, you'll immerse yourself in the world of healthcare, gaining a comprehensive understanding of both practical skills and foundational theory. Our dedicated faculty are not only experienced healthcare professionals but also passionate educators committed to your success. In addition, we regularly invite industry experts to provide fresh perspectives and enhance your learning experience.
Our Health Professions faculty and staff are not only approachable and supportive, but they also remain actively engaged in the healthcare field, ensuring that their expertise stays current with the latest trends and advancements. They foster an environment where you can grow both personally and professionally, building meaningful connections that will support your career long after you graduate.
Dr. Porther inspires the next generation of public health practitioners by bringing public health education to classrooms and the community. Her students have developed and facilitated public health curricula on key issues affecting children and adolescents and launched MCLA’s first public health podcast. Currently, she serves as a research consultant with BEAT in Pittsfield, exploring the health impacts of environmental exposures in Berkshire County. In 2026, Dr. Porther will lead a comparative healthcare course in the Caribbean, providing students with valuable global health insights.
Dr. Armstrong is a new addition to MCLA and serves as a faculty member of the Nursing and Public Health and Community Health Education programs. In addition to her teaching, she actively volunteers with the Medical Reserve Corps and the National Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps, providing emergency and medical care at pop-up clinics in underserved communities. Her current research focuses on identifying the needs and key focus areas for LGBT+ curricular education in nursing programs; it was recently presented at the American Public Health Association conference and is under review for publication in the Journal of Nursing Education.
Professor Walsh currently serves both as the Program Director for MCLA’s Radiologic Technology program and as an instructor for many of the program’s courses. With over 20 years of teaching experience in the radiology field, she encourages her students to become lifelong learners, gain valuable knowledge through hands-on clinicals, and promote the profession to the next generation of technologists. Outside of education, she continues to put her own teachings into practice by actively working as a registered technologist in Southern Vermont.
