Family of three earns degrees from Ivy Tech Bloomington, enters local healthcare field

A mission trip sparks a career change

Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington graduates Leah and John Pitz did not plan to go back to school together, but a medical mission trip to Guatemala changed everything.

“The entire time we were there I kept saying, ‘I need to win the lottery and help bring doctors, nurses, or a clinic’,” Leah said.

Leah was moved by the lack of access to basic healthcare and wanted to help. After returning home, she had time to reflect on the experience and realized it had changed her. She felt called to become a nurse.

“It was an epiphany moment,” she said. “What if I am supposed to be the doctor or nurse?” 

Leah decided to make a career change from the Indiana Department of Education, where she worked in teacher licensing. She began looking at nursing schools so she could serve patients abroad and at home in Indiana.

She started taking prerequisite courses at Ivy Tech Bloomington because the campus offered the flexibility she needed and a path to complete her education quickly. After a positive learning experience, Leah decided to stay and apply for the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program to become a registered nurse.

A family finds its path at Ivy Tech

Leah's husband, John, had recently retired from the Army as a combat medic. With his military and medical mission experience, he decided to join his wife on the path to becoming a registered nurse so they could serve patients together. Both applied to the program and were accepted.

Their daughter, Emma, also knew she wanted to work in healthcare. When she learned the respiratory therapy program had openings, she applied and was accepted, too.

“Emma was taking prereqs hoping to get into sonography at another campus, but this respiratory therapist opportunity fell in our laps, all because we went to an information session,” Leah said. “Emma loves it and we are all so grateful for how things turned out for all of us!” 

This past spring, all three graduated together.

Leah said the nursing program prepared her for the realities of the job and helped her feel confident in her work. 

“The program is realistic and structured to teach you skills that actually matter in the nursing field, not just isolated theory in a classroom,” she said. “I loved how the faculty genuinely cared about us and were so invested in every student succeeding.” 

Her husband had a similar experience. 

“I felt totally supported the whole way through the program,” John said. “I could not have asked for more.”

Building healthcare careers close to home

The Pitz family is beginning their healthcare careers in the community.

Leah accepted a nursing position in pediatrics at IU Health Bloomington. She plans to continue her education to earn her bachelor’s degree and then pursue a career as a nurse midwife or practitioner.

John will work in the hospital’s emergency department. He plans to pursue his bachelor's degree and become certified in critical care. 

Emma is beginning her career as a respiratory therapist, serving patients at the hospital in Bloomington and Bedford. 

The family plans to continue going on medical mission trips, serving patients at home and abroad.

 “With my new nursing skills in patient care, conducting assessments, and interacting with a diverse population, I will be able to help so many more people,” John said.

For Leah, she’s looking forward to what the future holds. 

“It’s really exciting to imagine where we will be in a year, two years, five years down the road and how being a nurse will change and shape me for the better,” she said. 

About Ivy Tech Bloomington
Ivy Tech Bloomington offers more than 40 career and four-year transfer programs, with courses that start multiple times per year for quick entry and graduation. To get started, apply online at ivytech.edu/bloomington email askBloomington@ivytech.edu. For information on free, short-term training programs, visit ivytech.edu/bloomington/NLJ.