Donor Spotlight: Ann Shepard

Ann Shepard, RN, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Informatics Officer for CommonSpirit Health and alumna of the Mercy School of Nursing, which later became Mercy College of Health Sciences, is a continual supporter of Mercy College students.

Ann describes her time at the Mercy School of Nursing to be very enjoyable. She is grateful for the knowledgeable faculty who taught her and the experiences she had while becoming a nurse.

“I ended up staying at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center after I graduated,” said Ann. “To me that is a testament of the program.”

When Mercy College became an accredited institution, Ann served as an adjunct professor teaching nursing informatics. She taught part time at the college for several years and during her time helped establish nursing informatics as a required course for all students.

“I found teaching very exciting,” said Ann.

As she got to know her students, she noticed a number were coming into nursing as a second career. Ann saw how challenging this career change was for her students and, inspired by their bravery, started giving to the Student Emergency Needs Fund at Mercy College.

The Student Emergency Needs Fund provides support to Mercy College students when they are faced with unforeseen expenses that, if not resolved quickly, could impact a student’s ability to attend class and remain enrolled.

“Giving to this fund seemed to make sense. It was a logical thing for me to do and spend my focus and direction on,” said Ann. “This fund helps students find a solution, and it might get someone closer to where they want and need to be.”

Ann encourages current students in need to utilize this fund so they are able to continue their education.

“I think all too often there is a sense of shame, worry or embarrassment about asking for help,” said Ann. “These funds are available for students to help them through a tough time so they can have the success they deserve.”

Ann encourages others to support our future health care professionals studying at Mercy College by giving to the Student Emergency Needs Fund.

“Right now, particularly with COVID-19 and the impact it has had, it seems to be all the more important to support the students who are going to school and wanting to take a place next to us in our profession,” said Ann.

For more information on how you can support current Mercy College of Health Sciences students, please contact MercyOne Des Moines Foundation Senior Director of Development Joan Bindel at 515-643-8020 or JBindel@mercydesmoines.org.