James Frankino

Tri-C Fueled a Passion To Heal

Tri-C's Nursing program, part of the School of Nursing and Health Careers, is one of the largest at the College. With so many opportunities for nurses in a variety of clinical and health care settings, Tri-C is proud of the impact its graduates make on the health of our community.

"There are so many opportunities in the field of nursing, and the options can seem overwhelming," said James Frankino, Tri-C nursing alum and vice president of Nursing Services at The Centers. "I encourage students to take advantage of learning opportunities as they present themselves. I have always felt the prime function of being a nurse is education, and we must invest in our own personal growth and knowledge so we can help those who need our support."

Frankino was attracted to Tri-C's Nursing program as a starting point for his career path because of its flexibility and affordability. Plus, the Eastern Campus was near his home. The varied experiences the program provided positioned him well for his role at The Centers.

"Tri-C offered a good variety of clinical rotations that diversified the students' experience in relation to the various pathways in the nursing field," he said. "The classroom and laboratory content supported skill building and set the principal foundations of nursing to build the students' confidence to enhance the patient care experience."

The Chagrin Falls resident added, "We had dedicated and knowledgeable nursing instructors who created a positive and supportive learning environment. They related their lived experience in the field to classroom materials and concepts. Tri-C also offered opportunities to engage in various student-run organizations and leadership courses. The students that I surrounded myself with were such support, and many have remained close friends."

After earning his associate degree, Frankino completed his bachelor's degree at Ohio University.

The Centers offers a wide range of services — including integrated health and wellness programs and addiction and behavioral health services — to 20,000 people each year. As a senior leader, Frankino oversees nursing, medical assistant, laboratory, infectious disease and overdose prevention teams. He also creates and implements a strategic plan to optimize patient care and quality outcomes, ultimately accomplishing the organization's overall goals.

He is currently working on the development of the new Behavioral Health Crisis Center, set to open in September on the old St. Vincent Charity Health Campus in Cleveland's Central neighborhood.

"I work alongside a strong and compassionate team that is dedicated to the community we serve," he said.

Frankino is a member of the board of directors for the Remember Love Recovery Project, a nonprofit dedicated to destigmatizing addiction disorders through art and human connection. 

"I am very dedicated to supporting awareness of mental health and addiction disorders to also help decrease stigma so people in need can obtain the help they deserve," he said.

Frankino emphasizes many attributes of the in-person educational experience.

"There may be other programs that offer the convenience of all online coursework, but from my experience, it does not always support success or allow graduates to be prepared to support the full breadth of patient care," he said. "Tri-C's smaller classes, hands-on clinical skill building and dedicated nursing instructors allow a student to be well prepared for their journey in the nursing field."