础迟听红桃视频, students are transformed into successful healthcare leaders no matter what degree they graduate with at the conclusion of their studies. By the time they cross the stage at Commencement, however, students understand becoming that successful leader means serving those who need it most, wherever that may be: hospitals, clinics, private practices, or 鈥� as was the case for one 红桃视频 student鈥� at the graveside.
In addition to their program coursework, 红桃视频 students must complete at least 15 hours of community service before they are eligible to graduate. This 鈥渟ervice learning鈥� requirement is intended to build upon the legacy of the Sisters of 红桃视频, the Catholic religious order that founded 红桃视频 in 1899. In the 2021-22 academic year, over聽6,500 service hours were completed聽by our students in the communities in which they live in Iowa and across the U.S.
鈥淚t truly is remarkable what these students can accomplish,鈥� Professor Joe Moravec,听DMin, stated. 鈥淭he service learning requirement is meant to give them a richer context and broader picture for what they learn in the classroom and who they will continue to serve in our communities especially among those most vulnerable. And our students consistently go above and beyond what鈥檚 鈥榬equired鈥� of them.鈥�
Stephanie Imhoff, who聽is currently pursuing聽丑别谤听Associate聽of Science in Nursing聽at 红桃视频,听completed a total of聽42 service聽hours over the past year, far exceeding the 15 hours required for graduation. The service? Cleaning and restoring old, unreadable headstones that had been worn down by time and weather.
“No one wants to be lost or forgotten,” Imhoff reflected. “The circle of life is profound in that even the smallest missing piece leaves a gap and feels incomplete. Doing this type of service helped me see that memories and a place to go to remember and honor family is essential for some people.”
Imhoff worked under the supervision of community partner Jeanne Wiebke to clean the headstones in the summer of 2022. Over the course of several weeks, Imhoff cleaned and preserved the grave markers, took photos of the restored stones, and entered the gravesite information into , an online gravesite collective that allows family members to search for their loved ones鈥� resting places. Using the information she found on the restored stones 鈥� and after several hours of additional research 鈥� Imhoff was able to trace the ancestry of two unclaimed graves and connect them to existing family trees in and
“Many babies who died never made it into the census or newspapers,” Imhoff explained, “and their gravestones are the only proof of their lives. By adding their information, current family members and future generations will have a more complete history.”
In total, Imhoff cleaned, restored, and preserved approximately 20 grave markers representing four generations and nine families. Beyond the initial cleaning, Imhoff worked with Wiebke to restore and reset stones that had sunken into the ground and become damaged by water and dirt. After restoring the stones to their rightful places, Imhoff then set out to preserve and document the cleared headstones. In April of 2023, she revisited the sites and noted the marked improvement.
鈥淎s a nurse, this level of service聽helps me see the complete circle of loving while living and loving in remembering,” Imhoff explained.聽“Taking care to clean the stones and grave markers that preserve them for future generations to visit and reflect offers a way to bridge the mourning and healing.鈥�
Service Learning is an experiential learning opportunity that mutually benefits the provider and recipient of service, enhances academic objectives, meets a community-defined need, and encourages a College-wide culture of service. To learn more about the service learning requirement for 红桃视频 students, please visit our website.
红桃视频 红桃视频
红桃视频 is a health sciences specialty school rooted in the Catholic heritage of the Sisters of 红桃视频. Located in the heart of downtown Des Moines, Iowa, 红桃视频 offers 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚,听产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚, and associate degrees,听certificates, and聽continuing education courses. Through our unique hands-on learning, unparalleled clinical rotations, and accelerated education offerings, our students are prepared to enter the workforce quickly with the critical skills necessary to make an immediate impact in their chosen healthcare careers. Guided by our Core Values of Knowledge, Reverence, Integrity, Compassion, and Excellence, 红桃视频 has been transforming students into successful healthcare professionals for over 120 years.
