Nursing instructor Cathy Gangarossa retires from HFC: “Be that difference for someone”

As a nurse, HFC nursing instructor Cathy Gangarossa is always teaching.

“My favorite line is: ‘Every time you walk into a patient's room is an opportunity to teach,’” recalled Gangarossa, of Allen Park. “I was also responsible for preparing both doctors and nurses at (what is now) Corewell Health Dearborn (formerly Oakwood Beaumont) for a national certification exam. Oakwood was the first health system in Michigan to require that all of its providers were certified in fetal monitoring.”

Gangarossa continued: “The best part of being a nurse is advocating for those who can't, because I can. Making a difference in someone’s life always feels so good. I always tell my students: ‘You have no idea what your patient goes through every day, so for these 12 hours, that patient may be getting the best care they have ever received in their life. Be that difference for someone.’”

HFC Dean of the School of Health and Human Services Dr. Cyndi Scheuer thanked Gangarossa for her years of service and dedication at the College.

“Cathy is an amazing advocate for the nursing profession and the students her at HFC,” said Scheuer. “She has gone above and beyond, especially with her leadership in the Student Nurses Association. She is not only an exceptional instructor and nurse but a role model for all students. We will all miss her.”

On to Italy, then to becoming a traveling nurse

After 18 years teaching nursing at HFC and 17 years serving as the faculty advisor of the HFC Student Nurses Association, Gangarossa is retiring at the end of the Winter 2023 semester.

“I’m pretty healthy and I love to travel,” said Gangarossa. “First, I am going to Italy for a month with my 88-year-old mom. We leave May 18. Other family and friends will be traveling with us for part of the time. I’m super excited for this journey with all of them!”

Gangarossa plans to end her career doing the two things she loves the most: being a nurse, and traveling.

“I plan on being a travel nurse for the next three years,” she said. “I hope to go to New England in the fall, head south for the winter, and make my way to California, maybe Hawaii, Washington state, and Alaska.”

She also wants to spend more time with her two granddaughters, ages 8 and 5.

“Being a grandparent is the best thing,” she said. “It’s a great blessing.”

Building an HFC family

Born in Detroit, Gangarossa, the eldest of four, grew up in Taylor. A graduate of Harry S. Truman High School (now Taylor High School), Gangarossa earned her associate degree in nursing from HFC (then called Henry Ford Community College).

HFC is a family affair for Gangarossa. Her two children, Gina and Joey, attended HFC. Gina earned her associate degree in general studies and works in the School of Nursing on the East Campus as a lab operator. Her niece, Jenna LaFace, earned her associate degree in nursing from the College.

“All of us got a good education at HFC,” said Gangarossa. “I’m proud of my kids. I’m also proud of my niece who followed in my footsteps.”

Gangarossa went on to earn her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree – both in nursing – from the State University of New York at Brockport and the University of Phoenix, respectively. She also completed some coursework at Ferris State University. She has a registered nurse certification (RNC), certification in electronic fetal monitoring (C-EFM), and certification in high-risk obstetrics.

Ahead of her fellow nurses, thanks to HFC

Gangarossa's mother who encouraged her to go into nursing after a slow start early in her college career.

“I was studying international business and didn’t do too well. I was too busy playing euchre in the lobby of my dorm! My mom told me, ‘Why don’t you go into nursing?’ She mentioned that I volunteered for the American Red Cross and taught first aid and CPR and was always interested in helping people.”

Gangarossa did what many people do not do: She listened to her mother and discovered a career she has enjoyed. She has been a nurse for more than 33 years.

“Immediately after graduating from HFC, I moved to Rochester, NY and started my career in nursing on a busy leukemia floor,” said Gangarossa. “The College did such a great job in preparing me for the role of a nurse. I found that I was so much further ahead than those I worked with. Learning about critical thinking and decision-making at the College was key to my success.”

The best possible experiences for students

Gangarossa returned to Michigan in 1998 and has worked at Oakwood ever since. She took on a variety of teaching roles there. It was also there that she met Dr. Susan Shunkwiler, who would later become the first Dean of HHS. Shunkwiler was teaching at HFC and enjoying it, so she encouraged Gangarossa to come to HFC and teach too.

“HFC is home," said Gangarossa. "I have always felt that way about this school and the people I work with.”

“I met Cathy at HFC about 13 years ago. I have always admired her tireless work ethic and advocacy of HFC students. Her passion for her profession and her commitment to our students is what made her an amazing instructor. She puts her heart into everything she does from teaching to fundraising to mission trips – all to provide our students with the best possible experiences as they enter the nursing profession. She may have started as my colleague, but she became my best friend. We will miss her at HFC,” said HFC Talent Acquisition Coordinator Terri Hagen.

For Gangarossa, the best part of her job is working with her former students.

“I work with more than 20 of my former students and I love seeing how far they’ve come,” she said. “It’s so funny when they first start out: They’re still a little intimidated, but they get over it pretty quick.”

How to make a global impact in a local setting

Her two proudest accomplishments during her 18 years at the College are:

• Being the faculty advisor of the SNA
• Seeing Katie’s Law passed

“I am so proud to be a part of the SNA because it not only helps our students, but also the community – it even helps globally,” she said. “We provide monthly blood pressure screenings to the senior citizens at Allegria Village (formerly Henry Ford Village) in Dearborn. We make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, which we hand out to the homeless. We raise awareness with walks in the fight against suicide, depression, diabetes, breast cancer, etc. Globally, we have gone on five mission trips with students, faculty, and recent graduates. Both the students and the people we serve all benefit from our students. I am super proud of all the SNA’s accomplishments during my time at the College.”

Katie's Law, and a handprint on my heart

Katie’s Law is named in honor of HFC alumna Katie Viger, who died of glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in February 2010. She was 23. In May 2009, Viger graduated from HFC, earning her associate degree in nursing. When she was diagnosed in August 2009, it was days before taking the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse.

Former HFC nursing instructor Cathy Wakefield spearheaded an effort to obtain an honorary nursing license for Viger. Just after Viger entered hospice care, Wakefield began making calls to the Michigan Board of Nursing and the Michigan Department of Community Health to see if she could somehow get Viger an honorary registered nursing license. In March 2010, then-Governor Jennifer Granholm supported the passage of Katie’s Law, which enables the state to issue honorary licenses to those in the medical field who have severe illness or have died.

“We started a grassroots campaign to change the law. We were the first in the country to have an honorary nursing license. It still lives in our Michigan health code as Katie's Law, and it has helped people in other states!” said Gangarossa. “I will never forget HFC. There will always be a handprint on my heart when I think about my time here. HFC has provided for me and my family for years. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity that was bestowed to me.”