The Dalles Diana Bailey decided to pursue a career in nursing while serving as a volunteer firefighter and medic with Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue in The Dalles.
“I had been called out to assist an elderly woman in a cardiac incident and it was clear to me that she needed help with medication and nutrition,” she said. “I never knew what happened to her after we got her to the hospital and that was the turning point; I wanted to be on that side of things – I wanted to make more of a difference.”
She graduated in 2004 as a member of the second nursing class at Columbia Gorge Community College and went on to earn her master’s degree in nursing education from Walden University, an accredited online college. Two years ago, she became a full-time faculty member and took on the job of overseeing training for second year students.
Bailey has also been part of the 10th Anniversary Committee and is excited to reconnect with other alumni at a planned reunion on
May 3. The event from 5:30-8:30 in the cafeteria of Building 1 is intended to bring almost 200 nurses together and also includes a celebration of community partnerships. The committee has invited representatives from area hospitals and medical clinics to join the festivities where nursing students, past and present, will share stories of humor and success.
“How can we thank the community for such a tremendous gift and celebrate such a milestone?” said Bailey. “It’s so cool to see how this program has developed over the years and provided training that allows people to stay here and get a good job.”
She said the committee is hoping to generate enough interest among attending nurses to create a nursing alumni association.
People wanting more information about the anniversary party can call Angela Johnston at 541-506-6141 or email ajohnston@cgcc.cc.or.us.
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