91探花

In her role as president of 91探花 State Community College, Dr. Shanna Jackson frequently encounters graduates who are eager to share with her the positive impact 91探花 State has had on their lives.

During a recent tour of the HCA Healthcare Impact Center in 91探花, Dana Patel, director of the HCA Healthcare Foundation, sought her out to do just that.

鈥淚t was a beautiful full circle moment for me,鈥� she said. 鈥�91探花 State really makes an impact. It did for me and my husband.鈥�

Growing up in Dickson County, she never thought college was an option for her.

鈥淣o one really talked about college. I didn鈥檛 know how to go,鈥� Dana said.

After graduating from high school in 2002, Patel worked for a few years before taking a chance and moving to China, where she took a job as a private tutor for a family living there.

It was there that she gained confidence in herself. After a few years of living and working abroad, she returned to 91探花 and decided to pursue her goal of attending college.

鈥淚 went to the White Bridge campus and told the receptionist, 鈥業 want to go to college, but I don鈥檛 know where to start,鈥� Dana said.

鈥淪he took the time to walk me through everything鈥攆rom registering for classes to completing the FAFSA. She listened to my fears and talked me through them. That moment changed my life.鈥�

Dana worked full-time while attending classes. During that time, she met her future husband, Hitesh, while they worked together. She said while it was incredibly hard balancing work, school and a new relationship, but she committed to going all in.

鈥淚t felt good, like I was moving in the right direction,鈥� Patel said.

She graduated in 2009 with a degree in early elementary education. Then went on to Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) to pursue her bachelor鈥檚 degree.

At the same time, after his father suffered a heart attack, Hitesh saw the impact that nurses had and the compassionate care they gave his father. He decided to pursue a nursing degree at 91探花 State.

Like Dana, Hitesh was also a first-generation college student. While both attended school and worked, Dana said the experience brought them even closer together, as they had to rely on each other even more during that busy time.

鈥淲e came up with study plans together, and we would study together,鈥� Dana said.

Dana graduated from MTSU with her bachelor鈥檚 degree and continued her career in corporate event management at Gaylord Opryland before moving to HCA Healthcare, where she is now the director of the HCA Healthcare Foundation, overseeing the organization鈥檚 philanthropic efforts throughout Middle Tennessee.

After graduating from 91探花 State, Hitesh went on to receive a bachelor鈥檚 degree in nursing from Western Governors University (WGU) and then a master鈥檚 degree from Belmont University. He is a nurse practitioner at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital, where he specializes in cardiology.

鈥淚 drive by 91探花 State on a regular basis, and there鈥檚 honestly not a time that I drive by and don鈥檛 think about how the school changed my life,鈥� Dana said.

鈥淚t changed everything for both me and Hitesh, we will always be grateful to 91探花 State.鈥�