Dr. Patricia Montpas Scholarship

Dr. Patricia Montpas dedicated her professional life to the education and preparation of nurses to become safe and nurturing caregivers. Pat began her nursing career as a diploma graduate from the St. Joseph School of Nursing in 1965. She loved her years at the School of Nursing and maintained lifelong friendships and professional networking with her schoolmates. Pat worked in all areas of St. Joseph Hospital, including medical-surgical units, oncology, the operating room, intensive care, step-down units, and the emergency room. She had a great impact upon the lives of her many patients and prepared them to take better care of themselves and their families. While she and her husband, Michael, were raising their seven children, Pat returned to school and earned her BSN from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor in 1978 and MSN from Wayne State University in 1982. In 1992, she earned a doctorate in Education with a concentration in curriculum and instruction from Wayne State University. Her formal teaching career began in 1979, when Pat co-taught a nursing refresher course to Swartz Creek community members. In 1984, she started teaching nursing full time at Mott Community College. For more than 25 years, she taught thousands of licensed practical and associate degree nursing students, including four of her own children. Pat is remembered in the nursing community as being a smart and fair teacher who was approachable and understanding. Pat was well known for her common-sense attitude and strong belief that the best nurses are not always the straight A students. She championed for many students to be given a second chance in school and fought for those struggling with family or medical issues to continue their education. She was full of compassion and encouraged all students to know their worth and reach their full potential. Pat often said that students who struggled just needed a personal cheerleader, and she took on that role hundreds of times. She tutored graduate nurses who failed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) in her own home, gave math lessons to nurse aides seeking to begin nursing school, and was a clinical assistant for other instructors long after she retired. She mentored other faculty members to share her dedication to the success of all students. As a testament to Pat’s dedication to nursing, her family has established the Dr. Patricia Montpas Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund. This scholarship will help the students that Pat wanted to help most – the ones who need a second chance.