Blog

Beyond the Why Wall: Becky’s Story   Growing up, Becky Achok often imagined herself becoming a doctor, drawn to the idea of caring for others. But it wasn’t until she experienced the loss of her husband that she began to see her future in healthcare differently.  Last year, when her husband became seriously ill and was
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Compassion in Bloom: Dominique Gaines Earns Flower Bud Award   Dominique Gaines, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) student at Galen College of Nursing’s Houston campus, is proving that a little compassion goes a long way, having just earned the Flower Bud Award at HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe during her clinical rotation.  The Flower Bud
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The world has change a lot since 1988.  Ronald Reagan was President of the United States, $1.08 could get you a gallon of gas, Die Hard was topping the box office, and the first-ever version of Photoshop hit the market.  One thing that hasn’t changed since then is Lisa Larsen Smiley’s dream of becoming a
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Rob Phoenix: A Career Dedicated to Care and Education From working as a paramedic to becoming a family nurse practitioner and opening his own clinic, Rob Phoenix’s professional journey has been shaped by a commitment to patient care and a desire to make a difference in his community.  Today, as a full-time faculty member at
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It’s been two years since Amber Jones made history at Galen College of Nursing’s Gainesville campus, becoming the first paraplegic student in a wheelchair to graduate. Her journey began after a life-altering car accident in 2016 left her paralyzed from the waist down. When Galen last spoke with Jones in 2024, she was graduating with
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Dr. Audria Denker Celebrates Induction into the American Academy of Nursing Dr. Audria Denker, DNP, RN, FAADN, ANEF, Chief Clinical, Integration, and Experience Officer at Galen College of Nursing, has officially been inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN), one of the nursing profession’s most prestigious honors. The induction ceremony took
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Tami Richey, simulation lab manager for Galen College of Nursing’s Sarasota campus, has always been passionate about nursing, particularly labor and delivery, and inspiring the next generation of nurses. After relocating to Florida in 2020, Richey joined HCA Englewood Hospital as a hospital-based educator, where she supported clinical education and staff development. It was there
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From Curiosity to Calling: Brailey Finds Her Path in Pediatric Nursing  As the oldest daughter in her family, Brailey Newcom grew up looking after her younger siblings, making the desire to care for others come naturally.   By the time she reached high school, she had found a way to turn that instinct for caregiving into
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Beyond the Why Wall: Dominique’s Story Everyone’s journey to nursing looks different. While some discover their “why” through positive experiences, encouragement and inspiration, others find their calling during some of life’s most difficult moments. For these students, the challenges they’ve faced become part of what motivates them to turn their pain into purpose and create
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Growing Talent, Building Careers  For Vanessa Sanchez, going from making lattes at the local coffee shop to a career at Galen College of Nursing’s Houston campus wasn’t her plan. In fact, getting a job in enrollment wasn’t even on her radar, given she was earning her degree in Kinesiology.   While finishing school, a friend and
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