Christopher E. Fisher honored by St. John’s School of Education for leadership
Christopher E. Fisher, Psy.D., a 2014 graduate of St. John’s University’s School of Education, will be recognized at the 15th Annual Leaders in Education Awards Dinner on April 16. Fisher serves as Director of Behavioral Health at Zucker Hillside Hospital and is also an Assistant Professor at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University.
Fisher expressed surprise and gratitude for being honored by his alma mater. “It truly feels like an honor and a recognition that genuinely caught me off guard. Throughout my career, I’ve been far more focused on providing recognition, awards, and praise to others for their hard work and dedication than receiving it myself. It is incredibly meaningful to know that, even 12 years later, the St. John’s School of Education continues to watch, support, and celebrate its alumni with pride. To be recognized alongside other flourishing and accomplished alumni is deeply humbling, and I am truly grateful to be included among such an inspiring group,” Fisher said.
He described his professional responsibilities overseeing clinical practice across four outpatient psychiatry programs at Zucker Hillside Hospital, which collectively handle over 65,000 behavioral health visits each year. Fisher noted the importance of expanding access to mental health care in New York State and emphasized his commitment to training future professionals in psychiatry and psychology.
Fisher credited his master’s degree from St. John’s as foundational for his career in clinical mental health counseling. He explained how the program instilled a patient-centered approach: “TSOE instilled in me the value of finding the ‘can’ in every person I work with. The patient-centered, humanistic, and strength-based framework I gained at St. John’s has allowed me to sustain hope while working with some of the most complex and challenging clinical cases of my career.”
He acknowledged faculty members Heather Robertson, Ph.D., James Bethea, Ph.D., and the late Robert Eschenauer, Ph.D., for their influence during his studies: “These professors helped identify and develop my potential as a student clinician and supported my growth both academically and clinically. I am forever grateful for their service, skill, and commitment to training. The impact of their work extends far beyond individual students. Countless people have been helped in meaningful ways that can be traced back to the influence of these exceptional educators.”
Reflecting on his time as a student at St. John’s School of Education (TSOE), Fisher recalled the camaraderie within his cohort: “What I cherish most is being part of a truly special cohort, one filled with intelligent, skilled, passionate, and deeply genuine individuals… That shared experience remains one of the most meaningful aspects of my time at St. John’s.”
Offering advice to future alumni, he said: “Find meaning in what you do, and let your values guide your path forward. These two principles will lead you toward a life of purpose and fulfillment, while also grounding you during times of struggle, devastation, and hardship… Even in the most difficult moments of your life, you still have the capacity to make decisions that move you closer to the person you aspire to become.”
St. John’s University operates as a Catholic institution affiliated with the Vincentian Community dedicated to liberal arts education (https://www.stjohns.edu/). The university supports various multicultural initiatives through its centers both locally and globally (https://www.stjohns.edu/). With campuses located in Queens and Manhattan as well as international sites in Rome, Paris, and Limerick (https://www.stjohns.edu/), St. John’s offers more than 100 undergraduate majors across six schools (https://www.stjohns.edu/). Rev. Brian J. Shanley has served as president (https://www.stjohns.edu/).
