Ivy Anderson, a 2025 graduate of the licensed practical nursing program at Kankakee Community College, has been awarded The DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nursing Students.
The award is part of The DAISY Foundation’s mission to express gratitude to nurses with programs that recognize them for the extraordinary, compassionate and skillful care they provide patients and families.
Anderson, a Kankakee resident, was chosen by a committee at KCC, and the award was presented on July 29 at the licensed practical nursing pinning ceremony. Anderson received a certificate, a DAISY Award pin and a sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.
“I want to give a big recognition to a young man in the KCC nursing program,” said the patient who nominated Anderson. “I give plasma at CSL. Ivy is one of the phlebotomists there. We started talking and he was telling me that he was in the KCC nursing program. Ivy is always upbeat, he is excellent at all he does, and he is sought out by his co-workers for issues and solving problems. I always feel like I am in good hands under Ivy’s care. I just wanted to share with you that this young man is extraordinary. I have no doubt that he is going to make an incredible nurse.”
KCC’s practical nursing program has a competitive entry process and accepts new students each fall semester. It incorporates classroom lectures, clinical experiences and lab demonstrations. The program is designed to prepare students for work in hospital departments, as well as in long-term care, home care, business and industry, outpatient clinics, public agencies, and physicians’ offices. LPNs also can apply for advanced placement into KCC’s registered nursing program.
For information about entry requirements, consult with a KCC advisor or contact the program director, Jennifer Rogers at jrogers@kcc.edu or phone 815-802-8828.
About The DAISY Foundation
The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) The care Patrick and his family received from Nurses while he was ill inspired the creation of The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, an evidenced-based means of providing nurse recognition and thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.
More information is available at DAISYfoundation.org.
A Student Success Mentoring Program designed to empower students through meaningful mentorship connections is starting at KCC.
The first group of mentors and students will be paired for the Fall 2025 semester.
“This program is more than just guidance, it’s about building relationships that inspire students to persist, thrive, and graduate,” said Melany Villagomez, KCC’s coordinator of equity, diversity and inclusion. “Through regular engagement, mentors will help students strengthen their academic skills, develop leadership potential, boost self-esteem, and grow as individuals.
“Research shows that students with mentors are more likely to stay in school, perform better academically, and feel a stronger sense of belonging,” Villagomez continued. “At KCC, we believe that every student deserves a champion, and this program is hoping to make that happen.”
Members of the community, KCC alumns, faculty and staff are all invited to become mentors.
“Whether you’re a seasoned professional, a proud alum, or a passionate community member, your experience and encouragement can be the spark that helps a student succeed.,” Villagomez said.
The process is:
Anyone with questions about the program can contact Villagomez at mvillagomez@kcc.edu.
Bradley Wood is the new dean of health careers at Kankakee Community College.
In this role, Wood will work with directors of each health career program on curriculum development, staffing and budgeting. KCC currently has 13 health careers programs: Exercise Science, Medical Laboratory Technology, Medical Laboratory Assistant, Phlebotomy, Practical Nursing, Registered Nursing, Certified Nursing Assistant, Paramedic, Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic, Emergency Medical Technician-Basic, Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiography and Respiratory Therapist.
After beginning his career as a Physical Therapist Assistant, Wood transitioned into roles in education. He has served as professor at North Central State College in Ohio and director of the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Owens Community College in Findlay, Ohio. Most recently, Wood was dean of the Findlay Campus of Owens Community College. As the dean, Wood guided curriculum development and student success efforts, and played a key role in strategic planning, budgeting, building community partnerships, and fostering innovation in teaching and learning.
Wood has been a member of the American Physical Therapy Association since 1990, and he is currently a commissioner for the Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education. Wood has also been president of the Northwest Ohio Clinical Coordinator Consortium and the Ohio Physical Therapist Assistant Education Consortium. He recently co-chaired a workforce development initiative for the Ohio Association for Community Colleges.
Wood has a master’s degree concentrating on integration of technology into the curriculum and classroom from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He also has a Bachelor of Health Science degree from Nova Southeastern University and an associate degree from St. Petersburg College in Florida.
Wood can be reached at bwood@kcc.edu or 815-802-8815.
Kankakee Community College Athletics is planning a fall golf outing for former athletes and community members.
The KCC Athletics Golf Outing will be Saturday, Oct. 11 at the Kankakee Elks Country Club, 2283 Bittersweet Drive in St. Anne.
Lunch will be at 11 a.m. and a shotgun start for 18 holes of golf begins at noon. The day also includes on-course beverages, prizes and games on the course.
The fee is $100 per golfer. Sponsorships are also available. All proceeds support KCC Cavaliers athletics.
KCC has seven intercollegiate sports – baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, softball and volleyball.
For more information, to register as a golfer, or to find out about sponsorship opportunities, go to https://bit.ly/kccgolf2025 or phone the KCC Athletics Office at 815-802-8600.
