Three Generations, One Passion: Celebrating the Nursing Journey of Gail McCracken, Jamie, Jodie and Alexa

CONGRATULATIONS!

Yavapai Community College issued a compelling press release, thoughtfully penned by JJ McCormack, on July 17. The release narrates the inspiring journey of four remarkable women from the Verde Valley. Grandmother Gail McCracken, daughters James and Jodie, and granddaughter Alexa. (You may read JJ McCormack’s press release by clicking here.)

The press release captures the passion and determination that fueled these women’s pursuit of their dreams in the nursing profession. It shines a light on the transformative impact of the College’s nursing program, empowering these talented women to embark on fulfilling careers in healthcare.

It all began in 1985 when Jamie (Elliot) and Jody (Hilde), the daughters of Gail McCracken, set the foundation for a remarkable family legacy in healthcare by obtaining their nursing certificates from Yavapai Community College on the Prescott Campus.

A few years later, in 1992, Gail McCracken (today a remarkable 78-year-old grandmother), completed her nursing training at the Verde Campus. Her pursuit of nursing exemplified a lifelong commitment to caring for others, leaving an indelible mark on the field of healthcare.

Now, as we fast-forward to the present year, 2023, a new chapter in this extraordinary family’s journey unfolds. Alexa Rodriguez, the granddaughter, stands as a shining testament to the values that the family holds dear. With unwavering determination, she attended the Verde Campus and received her nursing certificate this spring, carrying the torch of excellence into the future.

Together, these three generations exemplify the spirit of dedication, passion, and lifelong learning. Their collective journey highlights the transformative power of education and the significant impact individuals can make in the world of nursing.

Long-time residents of the Verde Valley may fondly remember Gail McCracken as a successful restaurateur before embarking on her  journey in nursing. As an IV specialist, she honed her skills and expertise, eventually operating a non-profit organization, the Verde Valley Emergency Medication Assistance Program. Through this endeavor, Gail provided essential medicine to those in need, ensuring that no one was left without proper healthcare.

Meanwhile, Jamie has made a significant impact on the community by managing a residential group home in Clarkdale, offering a nurturing and supportive environment for its residents. Her compassionate care has undoubtedly touched the lives of many individuals and families, creating a positive ripple effect in the area.

Alexa will be  starting a new job soon at Verde Valley Medical Center.

The story beautifully embodies the unwavering drive and determination of a family that aspired to achieve professional success amidst numerous challenges. Through their resilience and passion, this family not only overcame personal obstacles but also contributed to the success of their community, leaving an enduring impact on the lives of those they touched.

Prescott based Director brings 30 years of nursing experience to the program along with extensive experience as a community college instructor

Yavapai Community College announced in a November 21 press release that  Dr. Barbara Durham was selected as Director of Nursing.  Dr. Durham is Prescott based and has been an employee of the Community College since 2017 when she moved from Hartnell community college in Salinas, California where she had taught for 12 years.

Dr. Durham holds a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from the University of San Francisco, a Master of Science in Nursing Practice from California State University Dominguez Hills  and a Bachelor of Science in  Nursing Practice from the University of Windsor (1987 – 1991).

While on the nursing faculty at Hartnell College (2005 – Jan 2017) she taught advanced adult med/surg concepts, and geriatric content in nursing theory. She has authored one article, which was written in 2013 entitled, “Medication Safety: The Role of the Nurse.”  (See https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25785398/ for appropriate cite.)

The press release from  Yavapai Community College, written by Tyler Rumsey, appears below.

TYLER RUMSEY 21 NOVEMBER 2022

Dr. Durham has been with Yavapai College since 2017 as a nursing faculty member and has worked in academia since 2005.

Her nursing career spans more than 30 years, from working with diverse patients and students at the bedside as a critical care nurse and clinical educator to her faculty role teaching in Associate Degree Nursing Programs.

“I am extremely excited to have Dr. Durham as the Director of Nursing at YC,” said Dr. Marylou Mercado, Dean of Health Sciences, Science, Math, ABE, Health, and Wellness. “She is passionate about high-quality nursing education, student success, and patient safety, and her impact on student training will be felt immensely in our communities.”

As Director of Nursing, Dr. Durham will oversee the nursing program at Yavapai College and will advocate for students and faculty. She will also assist Dr. Mercado in moving the nursing program toward seeking approval to offer an RN-BSN degree and work with Yavapai County community healthcare partners in advancing nursing education that benefits county residents.

The Yavapai College Nursing Program has a history of excellence in nursing education. The NLCEX pass rate for 2021 AT YC was 96.05% exceeding the 2021 National NCLEX pass rate of 82.4%. The job Placement rate for 2021 YC graduates was 94%.

Dr. Durham grew up in Ontario, Canada, and moved to California in 1992 after graduating with honors from the University of Windsor, in Ontario, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. She completed her Master of Science Degree in Nursing Education from CSU Dominguez Hills in 2005 and her Doctorate in Nursing Practice with an emphasis in Healthcare Systems Leadership from the University of San Francisco in 2014. Barbara enjoys golfing, hiking, and playing pickleball in her free time.

Will oversee health sciences, math, science, physical education, and the Adult Basic Education program| Will also launch new four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program

In an October 6, 2022, press release, Yavapai College announced it has  named Dr. Marylou Mercado as the new Dean of the schools of Health and Wellness and Science and Engineering, effective October 10, 2022.  As Dean, Dr. Mercado will oversee health sciences, math, science, physical education, and the Adult Basic Education program

Although she has academic oversight of the departments, her role as a Health Sciences Dean will focus on launching  a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. She is also expected to create  partnerships with healthcare institutions to bring new, in-demand programs to Yavapai Community College.

You may read the entire October 6, 2022, press release authored by Tyler Rumsey by clicking here.

Thirty-nine from both sides of the County take part in traditional ceremony

Thirty-nine student nurses took part in the traditional pinning ceremony on December 10, 2021 on the Prescott Campus of Yavapai Community College.  They represented both the spring and fall 2021 cohort and the Verde Valley and Prescott quad cities.

Nursing Professor Dr. Barbara Durham  welcomed   the graduates and described the unprecedented nature of their training, which has covered two or more years. She said that the challenges included practicing nursing skills on family members and even pets at home and vying for internet bandwidth with others in their households who also were studying or working from home.

Durham also said the warmth and fellowship that student nurses regularly experience was lost in pandemic-induced separation. “Not being able to hug each other when someone is stressed, anxious or suffering… the face masks that hide smiling faces… we were missing basic human connections.”

Yavapai Community College President Dr. Lisa Rhine expressed pride in the nursing graduates for their fortitude, diligence and sacrifice in uncertain times. “To say that it is a very difficult time to be a nurse is truly an understatement.”

Dr. Rhine also said that “because of your kind and loving hearts that attracted you to this calling in the first place, make sure that you take the time to care for yourself and your own health and wellbeing. It’s only when you are at your best that you can perform at the highest levels and give your best to others.”

Following are the fall 2021 nursing graduates:

Abigal Adams

Kelli Balensky

Jennifer Bergstad

Rebecca Broderick

Alyssa Bugarin

Nick Buller

Ronny Criswell

Klara Ford

Lanai Ford

Carl Jackson

Sarah Jackson

Shilee Jones

Laura Ludvick

Kacey Martinez

John Mattison

Angelique McKnight

Halleigh Milian

Anna Miller

Danielle Mitea

Chelsea Murphy

Anna Nardo

Corey Noeldner

Samantha Paine

Jinnapat Puangwipat

Kelly Pulanco

Emma Pundt

Aidan Raute

Alfredo Rodriguez

Amy Runo

Jennifer Santoyo

Aubrey Shaw

Brittney Sherman

Sarah Stickel

Alma Toribio Salgado

Dalis Townsend

Collina Young

Participating in the fall cohort pinning ceremony were these spring 2021 nursing graduates:

Maria Contereas

Nissa Labhart

Macer Svec

SOURCE:  New release by Yavapai Community College, by JJ. McCormack, 15 December 2021. Click on the following link to view news release in full. https://www.yc.edu/v6/news/2021/12/nursing.html

Only four of the 20 nursing classes offered in fall semester have available seating as of August 4

If registration data of August 4, 2021 from Yavapai Community College is any indication, the nursing program on the Verde Campus for fall 2021 is a smash hit.   Data from the College’s web site indicate that 16 of the 20 nursing courses offered this fall are already filled to overflowing.

Of the remaining four classes with seats available, data indicates one class has one opening left, another four, while the two remaining classes are nearly half full.  New modern training equipment, a modern facility, the pandemic, and outstanding faculty are all factors that have made the nursing program on the Verde Campus an  enormous success.

One can’t help but recall the tentative decision by the Community College a few years ago to shutter most, if not all, of its nursing training on the Verde Campus and move it to Prescott Valley.  Education advocates, former nursing alums, and others were able to stop that happening.   Today, the registration data from the College shows how right Verde Valley citizens were to rise up and block the effort. Everyone in the Verde Valley can now clearly see the fruits of those past efforts to keep nursing training alive on the Verde Campus.

Many classes already full six week from beginning of semester; New facility and increased interest  in nursing because of Covid-19  may explain enrollment; recall how Valley Advocates only a few short years ago successfully fought the  College to prevent it from moving all nursing training out of the Verde Valley

The Yavapai Community College nursing program is showing a robust enrollment for fall 2021. On the Verde Campus, three classes are completely full, while seven classes have only one seat left and three others have only two available seats.  The remaining classes are mostly two-thirds full. 

The new facilities in Building “L” may account for some of the enrollment on the Verde Valley Campus along with increased interest in nursing created by the Covid-19 pandemic.  Whatever the reason, the overall interest in nursing training  is high.

Some may recall that as a part of the 2013 ten-year $103.5 million renovation project launched by the Community College (with 95% or more of renovation going to the West side of the County), that the Community College was considering moving the existing Verde Campus nursing program to Prescott Valley. Because of the strong opposition from Verde Valley Education advocates, that plan was eventually scrapped. 

Today, the wisdom of keeping the nursing program on the Verde Campus and the decision to renovate Building “L” on that campus are paying huge educational dividends as the 2021 Nursing program fall enrollment  so vividly shows.