Theresa (T.J.) Sheil Health Sciences Memorial Scholarship

After working as a LPN at the University of Iowa, she completed her RN at St. Joseph’s College in Maine and obtained her MSEd and Professional Diploma in School District Administration in New York City. She served as a supervisor and instructor at Bellevue Hospital, teacher and Assistant Principal of both Nursing and Special Education. She went on to become the Citywide Supervisor of Nursing Education Programs and helped her students excel in her programs, many of which passed their NCLEX on the first try. In addition to being a master educator, Theresa volunteered for the Red Cross for over 50 years, she was a Red Cross Mental Health nurse since 1974. Theresa worked in a school in New York the day the Twin Towers were hit during the 9/11 attacks, and she responded to try and help as many people as she could. She received from David Yurman, his Angel Award for her post 9/11 service. In 2022 she was the recipient of the Red Cross’s Clara Barton Award for the Greater New York Region. Theresa once shared these words of encouragement to future SCC students, “Life is a journey. Each day presents a new challenge. Remember that challenges are opportunities to demonstrate success! When you see someone who needs help extend your hand and open your heart. You will never know how strong you are until you help someone else carry their burden. Be patient with yourself, take a deep breath, and take one step at a time. Before you know it you will be planning the next leg of your journey. You will do it!” Sadly Theresa passed away in August of 2022, but her passion lives on in the walls of the SCC Health Sciences Center.