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July 27

July 2, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Derek Rayment
Public and Media Relations Manager
402-960-0697, cell
darayment@mccneb.edu

MCC Nursing student overcomes COVID-19, wins prestigious award

OMAHA, Neb. - Metropolitan Community College Nursing student Patty Sieler is a recipient of the DAISY Foundation’s Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students. The national award goes to individuals who have displayed outstanding care and compassion for their patients. Sieler received the award earlier this month, not long after overcoming a personal battle with COVID-19.

Sieler was diagnosed with COVID-19 in March as she was beginning the spring quarter, the final leg of her academic journey at MCC before graduating. She developed pneumonia and suffered with the disease for six weeks before beating it. Once she was cleared to return to work, her mother suffered a stroke, which forced Sieler to care for her mother while finishing schoolwork. Her mother tragically passed shortly thereafter.

“Patty is deserving of the DAISY award for her hard work and determination, despite many obstacles throughout her nursing education. While in our program, Patty juggled working full-time and caring for her family, but never making an excuse or expecting any allowances,” said Kristin Dolezal, MCC faculty member. “As she entered her final quarter in the Program, Patty was faced with many personal obstacles that, for most, would have resulted in dropping from nursing school. This was not the case for Patty.”

MCC faculty, family and friends surprised Sieler with the award presentation at a local outdoor restaurant venue. For more information about the award, visit the DAISY Foundation’s website.

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Metropolitan Community College, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, is a comprehensive, public community college that offers affordable, quality education to all residents of Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington counties. Founded in 1974, MCC has the largest enrollment out of six community colleges in Nebraska and is the second largest postsecondary institution in the state. MCC serves more than 40,000 unique credit and noncredit students.