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MCC Daily Tribune

TCC Gratitude Series - Day 7: Celebrating the Nursing and Health & Physical Education Departments

Today, I’d like to take a moment to highlight and celebrate the kudos received by two outstanding departments: the Nursing Department and the Health and Physical Education Department. These recognitions come from our students but also from colleagues.

I’m especially pleased to share kudos for some of our first-year faculty in the Nursing Department—your impact is already being felt and appreciated.

Kudos From Colleagues to Colleagues

Annie Vershay (Health and Physical Education)

Annie goes above and beyond in supporting our department. Even when she was out due to illness she reached out to see what was needed and followed through. It is wonderful to work with such a positive and hard-working person.

Anne Flatley (Health and Physical Education)

Anne's remarkable flexibility with her teaching has been extremely beneficial in the HPE department. She has a team mentality and frequently offers to help out with projects and adjunct support. Thank you Anne!

Colleen Caruana (Nursing Department, Chairperson)

As a department chair, Colleen shows a tremendous amount of caring and pride in the students and faculty in the Nursing Department.  She is continuously advocating for the highest standards and best learning experience the students and faculty.  I respect and appreciate how Colleen manages and navigates the challenges of being a department chair with good judgement, and professionalism along with a human touch.  Colleen, I'm grateful for your leadership and friendship.

Renee Dimino (Health and Physical Education)

Renee always projects positivity, care and enthusiasm in all her activities she organizes and facilitates.

Penny Sayles (Health and Physical Education)

Penny's strong work ethic and dedication to her students, courses, and advisees is amazing. She is meticulous, responsive, and provides great quality education and assistance to MCC students!

From Students to First Year Faculty

Nuvia Soto-Perez (Nursing, Completed the First Year Faculty Series)

  • Nuvia was an amazing professor. I was nervous going into maternity because it was something I was very interested in and the people around you can make or break your experience. Nuvia was always a text away at the hospital and showed up within minutes if you needed her. She didn’t care how long it took to go over exams as long as you left her room knowing what to do differently next time. And lastly, she cared. I did something completely out of my comfort zone to help save a hemorrhaging woman’s life and Nuvia gave me the utmost recognition for it. She’s the best.
  • For always being available when I need clarity about the course and motivating me .

Victoria "Tori" Merrick (Receiving Two Nominations, completed the First Year Faculty Series)

  • Tori is able to connect our course material to real world scenarios. She makes the material understandable while respecting the patient's privacy. She is able to work one-on-one with her students who need extra help and provides resources for a little extra help.
  • Victoria Merrik consistently goes above and beyond her role as a teacher. She creates a supportive and engaging learning environment, always ensuring that every student feels heard and understood.

Rachael Baldwin (Surgical Technology, Completed the First Year Faculty Series)

Miss Rachael has gone above and beyond this semester to make it fun, interesting, and informative. I want to give her special thanks for helping me with employment and scholarship references. She has been a wonderful teacher and mentor. Thank you!

Christine Lupiani (Nursing, Completed the First Year Faculty Series)

For motivating me through such an accelerated semester.

From Students to MCC Faculty

Monika Bently (Nursing, Receiving Three Nominations)

  • An amazing OUTSTANDING professor, knowledgeable, kind and truly passionate about students success.
  • Monika believed in me and pushed me to be great this semester. I had to repeat this semester of the nursing program and she made sure to teach me to be confident in my answers and knowledge. She is going to always be a puzzle piece in my learning journey.
  • Monika consistently went above and beyond both inside and outside the classroom. During a particularly challenging time in my life—being pregnant and giving birth at the end of the semester—she made herself available, offering unwavering encouragement and support. In the classroom, she demonstrated a remarkable ability to present material in a clear and accessible manner, always ensuring that diverse learning styles were respected and included. Her attentiveness and dedication to her students are truly exceptional, and the MCC Nursing Department is fortunate to have her as part of their faculty.

Kristen Killion (Health and Physical Education, Receiving Two Nominations)

  • Professor Kristen Killion has been a great instructor this semester. She has a very organized routine for the class, she encourages questions and discussions about the topics we learn, and she provides fair assignments and testing. The topics we handle in class can be very sensitive, but she ensures the approach is always respectful and open minded. I appreciate her creating such a safe environment for a class while discussing these type of topics. Thank you very much!!
  • I’ve always struggled to find a reason so go to class or remain focused. However, Killion always made class fun. I remember the activities we used to do, in emotional wellness, and she made activities that allowed us to talk and meet those around us, and still allow us to learn through these activities. Killion is one of those teachers who always has a smile on her face, and is definitely my favorite teacher I’ve had so far. I would be genuinely excited to go to class, which doesn’t happen very often. We need more teachers like her!

Mary Attridge (Nursing, Receiving Two Nominations)

  • Mary is one of the most kind and understanding teachers I’ve ever had. She goes above and beyond for her students and makes time to ensure all of her students have what they need. She takes time to develop rapport with all her students and learn important details about their lives, which is what makes her so special. She also loves learning alongside her students.
  • I want to recognize Mary Attridge for making such a huge impact on me, not just as a student but as a future nurse. Mary has this amazing way of making you feel seen and heard, and she’s constantly shown us how important it is to care for patients with real compassion and understanding. She’s helped me realize that being a great nurse isn’t just about skills—it’s about really connecting with people and making them feel safe and supported. I know I’ll carry everything I’ve learned from her into my practice, and I’m so grateful to have had her as a teacher.

Dano  Patricia (Health and Physical Education, Receiving Two Nominations)

  • Dano  Patricia  is a amazing  professor  she help the class to be prepared  for a test or quiz she answers  all the questions  cleanly. She also is amazing  to talk to before class because she a amazing  Listener.  She also. Very organized  with her work and she also stay on schedule.
  • Professor Dano is very nice and understanding.

Judy Wilson (Nursing Receiving Two Nominations)

  • Judy is a wonderful teacher and it's apparent that she truly cares about her students' success. The medical world is missing out on her being an active nurse, but she is teaching a new generation of nurses to be just as compassionate and patient-focused as she is. I have a feeling that Judy will be getting many Kudos :-). I will miss her next semester!
  • Judy always goes above and beyond for her students. She makes herself available to answer questions for her students and ensures that her students understand the topics that are being discussed. She has so many life stories to share that help connect what we are learning to the real word. I'm so thankful to have Judy for my lecture and conference.

Audrey Shafer (Nursing)

Audrey was one of the best teachers I’ve had throughout all of my years in school. She has played a huge part in my success during my last semester of nursing school. She has incredible classroom control and is always respectful to everyone around her. She’s there when you need help and teaches in a way that makes the information really stick the first time you hear it. Some people are just meant to be teachers and it shows in her classroom and her students success and Audrey is one of those people. She’s a great nurse, a great person overall and deserves to be recognized for everything she does.

Jackie Dorsey (Nursing)

My second semester of nursing school I had Jackie as a professor. I was on the verge of failing and giving up, and Jackie always made me feel like I belonged. She was the only professor I’ve had that looked me in the face and said “you can do better than this”. So I did. And I give her a lot of the credit. I’m about to go into my fourth semester and she still checks in on me. I’m not sure I’d be where I am today if it wasn’t for her constant reminders that I’m going to be a great nurse.

Deb Gabriele (Nursing)

For always making class fun

Terry Shamblin (Health and Physical Education)

I am nominating Professor Shamblin because she is exceptional. I have never liked online classes and I try to avoid them if I can, but she made my class so enjoyable. She is well-organized and gives consistent updates/reminders. She is also very gracious and encouraging. It is obvious that she is passionate about what she does and that she cares about her students!

Renee Dimino (Health and Physical Education)

This professor is a very well spoken, kind and knowledgeable professor. Has a good teaching style, very kind and supportive with students. You can tell this person was made for teaching. Very organized and understanding. Knows how to keep students engaged and is so sweet.

Melis Kural
Teaching & Creativity Center
05/22/2025