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SVCC Nursing Alumna Katrina Manning Honored with CBS 6 Gives Award for Compassionate Care
Southside Virginia Community College proudly celebrates Katrina Manning, a 2023 graduate of the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Weekend Program, who was recently recognized with a CBS 6 Gives Award for her extraordinary compassion and dedication as a nurse.
Manning, now a Cardiac Registered Nurse at Bon Secours Richmond Health System, was nominated by a patient’s family for going above and beyond — attending her patient's funeral and offering exceptional support during a time of grief.
Reflecting on the moment, Manning shared, “You could tell the kind of man he was by the love in the room. I think of the family often.”
Katrina’s journey into nursing began after the loss of her father, who battled dementia and passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic. After years as a stay-at-home mom, she found herself seeking purpose and a new identity. “I had such great experiences with the nurses who cared for my dad,” she said. “I just wanted to be that for someone else and their family.”
Katrina enrolled in SVCC’s Weekend Nursing Program, part of the college’s flexible and accelerated pathways designed for working adults. “It was the perfect fit for my life. The consistent pace helped build momentum and solid study habits. It felt overwhelming at times, but it absolutely prepared me for my career,” she said. “The flipped-classroom style was hard at first, but it taught me how to learn and adapt; those are skills I use every day.”
A graduate of the program’s first weekend cohort, Katrina credits much of her success to SVCC’s supportive faculty and staff. “They believed in me even when I didn’t. From Mrs. Martha Reed’s tough-but-effective biology prep to simulation labs run by instructors like Dr. Billi Jo Wilkinson and Chad Springer, they all gave me the tools to think critically and stay calm under pressure.”
Katrina’s story is not just a celebration of individual achievement, but also of opportunity and second chances. “There’s always going to be excuses, but there are more reasons to say yes. Just take the first step — SVCC will help you with the rest.”
Ready to make a difference like Katrina?
SVCC’s Nursing Program offers flexible options, including the Weekend ADN Program, to fit your lifestyle. Fall classes begin August 25. Visit southside.edu/nursing or contact
Health Sciences Counselor Amanda Shook at amanda.shook@southside.edu or 434-736-2214.
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