2008 Woodie Awards
Nursing Student Shares Story, Looks Onward
Student's plan for life inspired by family friend's survival of breast cancer
Sindy Diaz
Issue date: 1/19/05 Section: Life
- Page 1 of 2 next >
By an early age, Rae Mouawad had in mind that she wanted to go into the health care field and at the age of 16 when a close friend was diagnosed with Stage VI Breast Cancer, Mouawad made it a priority.
Shortly after finding out about her friend's terminal disease, Mouawad joined a nurse assistance program.
"I wanted to learn more about her condition and what I could to help her get through it," she said.
During that time Mouawad would drive her friend, Kheirie El Taalebi, to the chemotherapy and would drive her back home, where she looked after her until her family got home.
"I was always amazed at her inner strength," Mouawad said. "I worked with her family to maintain her nutritional status and exercise regimen."
Now 6 years later, her friend is a breast cancer survivor and Mouawad's determination to help others continues.
She decided to enter the nursing field because she felt that they were the once spending the most time with patients, the way she did with her friend.
"That was the person I wanted to be," she said. "I want to be there with my patients whenever they need me."
Mouawad has had experience in the field long before joining the Licensed Vocational Nurse program at Citrus College in 2003.
While at the University of California Irvine, Mouawad volunteered for Flying Samaritans, a volunteer organization that operates free medical clinics in Baja California, Mexico with the authorization of the Mexican Government.
"I was fortunate enough to receive that experience," she said.
Mouawad said that while in Mexico she learned about her persona.
"I learned about myself that once I saw people in need, I could not just turn my back and walk away," Mouawad said. "Therefore I had to try as hard as I could to make a difference and a change."
Mouawad's efforts and accomplishments do not go unnoticed.
"Rae has taken nursing very seriously and cares deeply about mankind," said Marilyn Collins,director of health occupations. "She is a very serious student and is devoted to being the best nurse possible."
Shortly after finding out about her friend's terminal disease, Mouawad joined a nurse assistance program.
"I wanted to learn more about her condition and what I could to help her get through it," she said.
During that time Mouawad would drive her friend, Kheirie El Taalebi, to the chemotherapy and would drive her back home, where she looked after her until her family got home.
"I was always amazed at her inner strength," Mouawad said. "I worked with her family to maintain her nutritional status and exercise regimen."
Now 6 years later, her friend is a breast cancer survivor and Mouawad's determination to help others continues.
She decided to enter the nursing field because she felt that they were the once spending the most time with patients, the way she did with her friend.
"That was the person I wanted to be," she said. "I want to be there with my patients whenever they need me."
Mouawad has had experience in the field long before joining the Licensed Vocational Nurse program at Citrus College in 2003.
While at the University of California Irvine, Mouawad volunteered for Flying Samaritans, a volunteer organization that operates free medical clinics in Baja California, Mexico with the authorization of the Mexican Government.
"I was fortunate enough to receive that experience," she said.
Mouawad said that while in Mexico she learned about her persona.
"I learned about myself that once I saw people in need, I could not just turn my back and walk away," Mouawad said. "Therefore I had to try as hard as I could to make a difference and a change."
Mouawad's efforts and accomplishments do not go unnoticed.
"Rae has taken nursing very seriously and cares deeply about mankind," said Marilyn Collins,director of health occupations. "She is a very serious student and is devoted to being the best nurse possible."