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<< DEPARTMENTS A LOOK AT ALUMNI health Care Careers are COntagiOUs When Marie Kittelberger enrolled in HCC's nursing program in 1982, she had no idea she was starting a family tradition. The college business major, office manager, and mother of three was living and working in Columbia. She took a careful look at the job market and decided she wanted a career that offered more job security than her current job as an office manager. She also thought she'd like a career that gave her the opportunity to help people. So she put her name on the waiting list for the nursing program at HCC; took anatomy, physiology, and other prerequisites; and launched herself, and eventually all of her children, into health care professions. After earning her associate degree and RN certification, Kittelberger worked at The Johns Hopkins Hospital for a decade, first in neurosurgery and neurology, and then on many of the other surgery and post-surgery floors. Following her career at the hospital, HCC nursing alumna Marie Kittelberger. she was a home health nurse for many years. Kittelberger exemplifies the power Next to join the health care clan was HCC offers students today. "I went to of lifelong learning. She continued her Kathy's sister, Kelly. As a young, divorced nursing school before the age of computers," education to become a board certified nurse single parent, she saw what a good career she says. "So much has changed, and the in neuroscience and medicine, earned a nursing was for her mother and sister, so she technology available is just fantastic. I know bachelor's degree in nursing from Towson enrolled in HCC's evening nursing program, when students graduate from HCC, they are University, and a master's degree in theology while working during the day. so well prepared." from St. Mary's Seminary & University. Even "Kelly graduated from HCC as an RN, The Kittelbergers are helping those in retirement she remained involved in health went to work at an outpatient dialysis clinic opportunities multiply for current students at care as adjunct faculty in HCC's continuing and has been happily doing that for 17 years HCC. They are donating funds to pay for the education division teaching medicine aide and now," says her mom. "She loves her work – nursing simulation suite with four simulation nursing assistant programs. and it was her education at HCC that gave labs in the new health sciences building. her that opportunity. When Kelly's son Mark And they also support an endowment for grew up, he attended HCC as well before single parents in the nursing program that has transferring to Towson University to earn a helped 14 students so far. all in the Family Her enthusiasm must have rubbed off on her daughter, Kathy, who took courses at bachelor's degree in education." A health care HCC and went on to earn a nursing degree career also appealed to Kittelberger's son, a good education at a low cost, and it is a at Salisbury University. Kathy later earned Keith, who is an anesthesiologist practicing great stepping point for health care careers," a master's degree in exercise physiology in North Carolina. Kittelberger explains. "We are pleased to as well as an MBA, and now handles case Both Marie Kittelberger and her "The community college offers people give others the opportunity our daughter management for a large health maintenance 16 husband, Ken, have been impressed with Kelly and I had to start working toward their organization in California. the variety of programs and opportunities careers at HCC." Pathways | Howard Community College Fall 2011