Future healthcare heroes rise at FLC

A near-death experience that kept her in the ICU unit for eight days transformed Kari Sutherland’s life path. The former business major switched to FLC’s new pre-nursing program after experiencing firsthand the compassionate care that saved her life. “One nurse cried with me,” she recalled. “They helped me see what kind of impact I could make.” 

Sutherland isn’t alone. Students like Tessa Dugan and Bailey Martinez are already making waves in local hospitals while earning their degrees. Supported by scholarships from the Colorado Rural Healthcare Workforce Initiative and FLC Foundation, these future nurses are preparing to serve the Four Corners' most critical healthcare needs. 

“We’re not just training nurses,” said Nursing Director Maggie LaRose. “We’re building a healthcare workforce rooted in compassion and community.”