Melissa Gernon

Melissa Gernon, SSJ, MS, graduated from Nazareth University in May 2024 with a Master of Science in Creative Arts Therapy. She likes working with people of all ages and has an affinity for caregivers who care for ill or aging relatives. She also loves working with children. She taught elementary school children ages 3 through 6th grade for 25 years before joining the Creative Arts Therapy program.

Melissa loves being a part of the Hochstein community, stating, “I am blessed and inspired by the creativity and risk-taking of my students. They are amazing people and I learn so much from them. My favorite days are the days I come to Hochstein!”

Melissa’s favorite art forms are creating mandalas, creating collages, and using acrylic paints. She considers herself a multi-media artist, meaning she likes combining different types of art media in one artwork.

Melissa is a lifelong Rochesterian and a Catholic nun, Sister of St. Joseph. She went to Hochstein when she was a teenager for piano lessons. Melissa has been on six cruises with her dad and her favorite trip was to Iceland. Today, she loves visiting her dad at a local nursing home and listening to Christian radio.