Saddleback College Professor Named National Educator of the Year By Nursing Association

Saddleback College Nursing Professor Phillis Kucharski, MSN, RN, OCN, was named the 2012 Educator of the Year by the National Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (N-OADN) Foundation. The N-OADN Foundation Educator of the Year Award recognizes overall excellence in associate degree nursing education and is the highest award given by the foundation.

Dr. Tod A. Burnett, president of Saddleback College, stated, “Congratulations to Phillis Kucharski on this much-deserved award. It is a testament to her excellence that she was nominated by several of her current and former students. Saddleback has one of the best nursing programs in the nation and it is largely due to the hard work and dedication of our nursing faculty who work tirelessly to ensure the success of our students.”

Tammy Rice MSN, RN, CNE, assistant dean of health sciences and human services and nursing program director, stated, “This national recognition is a great honor for Phillis Kucharski and the entire Saddleback College Nursing Program. Kucharski is a role model in both personal and professional behaviors and is committed to establishing high standards in nursing education.”

Kucharski joined the Saddleback College Nursing Department in 2001 and teaches medical surgical nursing lecture and clinical, community health nursing, and pediatrics clinical. Kucharski served as an advisor for nursing students and helped increase the retention rate of the program to 93.5%. In addition to her role at Saddleback, she is the Oncology Educator for Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach where she teaches several nursing oncology courses.

Saddleback College Associate Degree Nursing Program enrolls 240 students each semester and is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and the California Board of Registered Nursing.  The first associate degree nursing class entered in 1971 and graduated in 1973.