At age 23, Ian Torello has already experienced a full-circle moment in his life. After spending many childhood years being treated for leukemia at Richmond University Medical Center, he now works at that same hospital as a mental health case aide.
Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age 3, Torello spent his next three years receiving chemotherapy treatments at Richmond. He was 9 when he had his last spinal tap.
“I didn’t go to school much,” he admits. “I spent more time around doctors than teachers. It affected my education, and I wasn’t a very good student.”
Classroom achievement aside, Torello did learn critical life lessons during his time as a patient. The values that his parents instilled in him and the behavior of the caring and compassionate hospital staff taught him the importance of helping people in need.
“The hospital took care of me, and now I have a chance to give back,” he says. “I have a great program director, Basilio Allen, who took a chance on me, fresh out of college, and I am beyond grateful.”
A 2026 graduate with a liberal arts degree, Torello works in a program called SafeTY.net at Richmond, which is located on Staten Island. The service helps clients set healthy goals, make constructive choices, and commit to lifelong positive change.
“It’s a transitional program,” he explains, “to help adolescents meet the challenges of adulthood. We help clients 16-24 navigate their transition towards stable housing, obtain competitive employment, seek additional education, secure benefits and entitlements, and maintain their mental health.”
He calls Neumann the “perfect match” for him because of the support systems in place --success coaches, tutoring, and the writing center – and he was drawn to be part of a similar environment at Richmond.
“As soon as I became Dr. [Leanne] Asimos’ advisee, she gave me a game plan,” he recalls. “It was a blueprint to make me succeed.”
In a recent email to Asimos, he wrote, “I would not be doing what I do, in a role that I am passionate about, if not for you. The work you do is so important, and I will forever be grateful for the support you gave me.”
He also remembers honest advice he received from Katie Callahan, Etsuko Hoshino-Browne, Kristen Acosta, and a host of others. “Now I understand the meaning of ‘It takes a village,’” he confesses.
“Ian experienced tremendous self-discovery and growth during his time at Neumann, through support and validation from faculty and leaders like Leanne Asimos,” Callahan recalls. “He grew to recognize his gifts and talents, build on them, and is now sharing them with others as he begins his professional career.”
Torello hopes to keep learning, always with the Neumann mission in mind: “Knowledge is a gift to be used in the service of others.”