June 16, 2025
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Northwest Herald

MCC nursing instructor honored

By NORTHWEST HERALD

Angela Sass (())

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CRYSTAL LAKE – McHenry County College nursing instructor Angela Sass was one of five nurses named a 2012 Greater Chicago Nurse.com Nursing Excellence regional finalist in the Education and Mentoring category.

She was honored on Tuesday at the Greater Chicago Nurse.com Nursing Spectrum Nursing Excellence Gala.

Sass was hired prior to the launch of MCC’s nursing program in 2008, and during that time she devoted her efforts toward policy and procedure development and curriculum finalization. She taught for the first time that semester in non-nursing courses, such as first aid.

According to Director of Nursing Joan Flanagan, Sass has become the stabilizing force in MCC’s program. “Angela does not walk away from a challenge and has overcome all growing pains common to a new undertaking,” Flanagan said. “Most of all, she puts students and their success first among all else.”

Flanagan said Sass is comfortable with technology and uses it daily in the classroom and at the hospital. “She models its use for students so that they can master electronic health records while in the program. Angela developed her own EHR that allows students to chart their clinical activities and patient observations mimicking hospital documentation systems,” Flanagan said.

Before coming to MCC, Sass worked as a full-time nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Elgin, where she continues to work part time in the Intensive Care Center.

Sass serves as the adviser for the 45-member Student Nurse Organization that consists of student nurses from three different classes. The members volunteer for several community organizations, including Family Health Partnership Clinic, the Crystal Lake Kiwanis Club’s St. Baldrick’s event, and a fundraiser for Pioneer Center.

The students adopted three families through the Sage Cancer Center, buying gifts and food for families who have a family member undergoing cancert treatment. The group also volunteered for the St. Bernard Project in New Orleans for two straight years, and members plan to return in 2013.

“The remarkable thing about these student nurses is a good percentage of them are married with kids. In addition to their rigorous nursing schoolwork, they jump in and support the community. They have a full plate and I’m really proud of them,” Sass said.

“I love nursing and still enjoy my patients,” Sass said. “It’s rewarding. At the same time, I love to watch students grow and see their ‘light bulb’ moments. It’s nice to find a niche that you enjoy doing.”

For more information on MCC’s Nursing Program, call 815-455-8710.

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