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Marry Pizzini, right, helps Stephanie Moog assemble a disposable nebulizer during class in a mock hospital in Hagener Hall at Montana State University-Northern Tuesday afternoon. Pizzini recently received the Pure Gold Award from Montana State University.
A Montana State University-Northern nursing instructor was honored recently for her work in nursing and in teaching.
Mary Pizzini received the Pure Gold Award in Bozeman from Montana State University President Waded Cruzado.
Northern nursing student Blair Tymchuk said Pizzini deserves this award, and she was the one who nominated her.
"She is the best kind of professor. She cares about her students and she wants us to succeed and she wants to share her knowledge," Tymchuk said. "She teaches us how to be a caring nurse rather than just being a competent nurse and how to be both at the same time."
The Pure Gold Award is given to faculty and staff from each of Montana State University campuses. The recipients are nominated by someone through a written description of why they feel their nomination is worthy of the recognition. A selection committee selects the winner from the pool of nominees.
Pizzini said when she found out that she had received the award that she found it very sweet and not only felt humbled, but proud.
She said she has only been teaching at Northern for 15 months, but has had a career in nursing for 37 years. She graduated from Carroll College in Helena with a nursing degree in 1982.
"I like people and like to deal with people, and I didn't think I would ever be a teacher," she said. "My mother was a registered nurse and she was a big part of my life, even though she never said go be a nurse, but she was a good example."
She added that she has a brother who is a surgeon, had a brother who was a nurse, a sister who is an RN and one of her sons is a physician.
"We are kind of trending that direction, not on purpose," Pizzini said.
She said being a nurse teaches a person empathy and advocacy.
Northern Chancellor Greg Kegel said Pizzini richly deserved the award.
"Mary Pizzini is a standout instructor in our nursing program and constantly receives accolades from both her students and peers," he said. "I think she is a perfect recipient for the Pure Gold award."
Kegel added that Pizzini has considerable knowledge of her profession, she's dedicated and has a wonderful demeanor and way with Northern's student nurses.
Northern Interim Dean of the College of Health Sciences Jaime Duke said Pizzini takes the time to encourage and ensure students are learning needed nursing skills, and tailors her instruction to student's needs.
"She is very student-centered and goes above and beyond her job duties as a clinical resource registered nurse for MSU-Northern, ensuring our students are successful," Duke said. "She is a great asset for our (Associate of Science degree in nursing) program at MSU-Northern, and we are lucky to have such a caring and experienced nurse on our staff.
"Mary takes time both in the classroom setting and outside MSU-Northern to support not only nursing students, but the entire university system," he said. "We are very proud of Mary-Ellen receiving the Pure Gold recognition, as she fully deserves it."
Other students also praised Pizzini's work.
"She is just a wonderful inspiration in what we all aspire to be as a nurse and as a person," Northern nursing student Jackie Richmond said. "She is very kind and very loving and definitely wants you to succeed in life and is very patient."
Northern nursing student Stephanie Moog said Pizzini is super warm and compassionate and that she is very intelligent.
"Mrs. Pizzini is the most amazing nurse in the whole world, like she knows everything and she is always there to lend an extra 20 minutes to help you understand something," Moog said. "Mrs. Pizzini has taught me mostly how important attitude is. She's just got a great, can-do attitude and she lifts you up."
"Mrs. Pizzinni is a gift to all students; not just nursing students," Northern nursing student Charla Terry said. "Mary treats each and every person she encounters with respect and dignity ... her grace is an excellent representation of how we should not only treat each other, but our patients as well. It is wonderful to see her acknowledged for the inspiration she is to so many."
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