Mercy College of Health Sciences’ Associate Dean of Nursing, Mary Schemmel, and Associate Professor of Nursing, Judy Monroe, have both received the 100 Great Iowa Nurses Award of 2019.

Mercy College Alumna, Dawn Schwartz, also received the prestigious award.

The 100 Great Iowa Nurses award recognizes nurses that have made meaningful, lasting contributions to their patients, colleagues, and the nursing profession. Recipients are viewed as mentors to other nursing professionals. This year’s honorees exemplify all of the principles on which the 100 Great Iowa Nurses Celebration was founded.

Mary Schemmel has been with Mercy College for 26 years. Schemmel has practiced nursing in many different positions, including a travel nurse, critical care nursing educator, and continuing education unit coordinator.

“I am honored and humbled to have been selected for this award and to join past recipients who have made incredible contributions to the nursing profession in the state of Iowa.” Schemmel stated.

Judy Monroe has been with Mercy College for 15 years. Monroe has a variety of nursing experience in areas including inpatient medical, inpatient psychiatric, long term care, occupational health, parish nurse support, lactation, and parent education.

“I am thrilled to be recognized for my years of work in community based nursing, sharing that work with students, and preparing future nurses for roles in caring for individuals in community settings and as advocates for policies to prevent illness.”  Monroe stated.

Dawn Schwartz is a 1995 Mercy College Alumna who majored in Nursing. Schwartz is currently the Director of Nursing at ChildServe. She has specialized in areas such as neonatal intensive care units, pediatric intensive care units, pediatric cardiac surgical intensive care units, home health care, respite, and pediatric rehabilitation for over 20 years.

Interested in becoming a nurse? Check out Mercy College’s nursing programs: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)12-month Accelerated BSNRegistered Nurse to BSN completion, and Paramedic to BSN completion.

About Mercy College of Health Sciences
Mercy College of Health Sciences is the only private Catholic college in central Iowa and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Located in downtown Des Moines, Mercy College prepares graduates for service and leadership in the healthcare community with a wide range of bachelor, associate, and certificate programs. Mercy College’s liberal arts and sciences education develops compassionate caregivers and leaders. Visit www.mchs.edu or call (515) 643-3180 to learn more