Marcy Campbell, RN, instructor for the Healthcare Science program at the Career Technical Educational Center, was honored as the 2019 Healthcare Professional of the Year by The Shelby County Chamber at their annual awards event. The award, which is co-sponsored by Buffalo Rock, recognizes individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to healthcare in Shelby County.

Campbell, who has 13 years experience in healthcare, has spent the past six years teaching and nurturing over 100 students who have graduated and gone on to serve their communities in the healthcare field. In addition to her teaching duties with Shelby County Schools, Campbell also works at Brookwood Shelby Baptist Medical Center.

“Developing young students minds, hearts, and skills for healthcare and watching them turn into coworkers at SBMC is by far my greatest accomplishment,” Campbell said.

Campbell, who had to choose between wanting a career as a registered nurse or becoming a school teacher, said she is now blessed to get to do both.

“Only God knew, that one day I would become that teacher I planned on being, and need a nursing license to be able to teach about an industry I loved so much,” she said.  

Campbell said she feels she is making a difference in the community by helping nurture and develop the next generation of healthcare leaders.

“These students go into our hospitals and medical offices and provide the care that our entire county benefits from,” she said. “Well-trained professionals with the heart and passion for providing excellent care benefits us all. Also, being able to direct students that may not have a plan or any support into a wonderful, limitless profession strengthens our community.”

Campbell’s contributions in the classroom and her dedication to students led to her to be nominated for the award by recently retired CTEC school counselor Amy Shannon.

“Marcy brings her many years of working as a nurse in the hospital to train, teach, and inform students about all careers in healthcare,” Shannon wrote in her nomination. “She models great skills along with being compassionate towards her students. I have seen students find their career path from the connections that Marcy has helped them make in the hospital and other areas.”

“Her students have gone on the work at hospitals and nursing homes as well as dental, veterinarian, and chiropractor offices,” Shannon continued. “Others have gone on to colleges. All of her students have learned how to be professional and are prepared for the challenges of working in the healthcare field.”

Zach McWhorter, principal at CTEC, said Cambell is a dedicated educator and instructional leader in the classroom.

“She provides an engaging learning environment that exposes students to a variety of pathways within the healthcare industry,” McWhorter said. “With her extensive knowledge and experience, Mrs. Campbell has made a strong impact at CTEC by providing a firm foundation for our future healthcare workforce.”

Campbell was one of 34 individuals nominated and recognized for the award at the August 28 chamber luncheon. Gina Gonzales, who teaches Healthcare Science at Helena High School, was also nominated.