Miles Community College is pleased to announce that Dr. Eileen A. Hemman, COL (Ret.) has been named the 2020-2021 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. Dr. Hemman was set to be inducted into the MCC Alumni Hall of Fame at the 2020 Commencement ceremonies last May, but events were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inductees to the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame are selected for exhibiting high professional achievement, having an established a legacy of community service, and giving evidence of life-time achievement and service since beginning their educational career at MCC. Candidates must have received an associate’s degree from MCC and/or have attended MCC for a minimum of one full academic year.
“We are thrilled to be able to honor Dr. Hemman at this year’s commencement,” said MCC President Ron Slinger. “While it was unfortunate to have to postpone last year’s celebration due to our commencement being held virtually, it was important for us to be able to honor and recognize Dr. Hemman in person for her outstanding legacy. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the graduation of MCC’s first Nursing class, it only seems appropriate that our honoree be an MCC Nursing graduate from that class who has gone on to have an exceptional military and civilian career.”
Dr. Hemman will be recognized at MCC’s 81st Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 8, at 10:00am at Denton Field in Miles City. She will also provide the commencement address.
Dr. Hemman was born in Miles City and graduated from Custer County High School in 1969. She entered the first class of Nursing Students at Miles Community College, graduating in 1971. In addition to her degree from MCC, she holds a BSN from Montana State University, MSN from University of Colorado Medical Center, and EdD from Seattle University.
She worked at the Veterans hospital full time during her school attendance. In 1977 she entered the Army Reserves and eventually transitioned to Active Duty, retiring in the rank of Colonel in 2004. Dr. Hemman held numerous positions during her military and civilian careers including Perinatal Clinical Research Nurse, Chief of Managed Care, Senior Clinical Educator and Faculty at University of Washington, Director of Hospital Education, Respiratory Nurse Specialist and Coordinator of Respiratory Care, Director of Mobilization, Education and Training, Regional Consultant for Army Nurse Recruiting, and Chief 47th Combat Support Hospital.
Dr. Hemman is the recipient of many civilian and military awards including the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Order of Military Medical Merit, Army Parachutist Badge, the Expert Field Medial Badge, Outstanding Research Mentor, Nancy Whitten Outstanding IRB (Institutional Research Board) member.
Her works have been published in books and journals including Critical Care Nursing, Military Medicine, Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, Journal of Nursing Leadership, Journal of Nursing Administration, Nurse Educator, Journal of Radiology Nursing, Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, and the American Journal of Nursing. She has also served on multiple panels and Boards to include Government Liaison on the Congressionally Directed Medical Research, Institutional Research Review Boards and Board Member Covenant Bible Seminary. Dr. Hemman has also presented at institutions such as AMSUS (The Society of Federal Health Professional), TSNRP, Triservice Nursing Research Program), Biennial Phyllis J. Verhonick Nursing Research Course, and ATACCC (Advanced Technology Applications to Combat Casualty Care).
Dr. Hemman formally retired in 2019 and resides in Steilacoom, Washington.
A livestream of the 2021 Commencement ceremony, include Dr. Hemman’s recognition and commencement address, will be available on the MCC YouTube page.
