Sheila Capp Taber
Dr. Capp Taber served as professor and retired after 39 years of service. She says while much changed during her career - including the college advancing from a diploma program to offering bachelor and master’s degrees in nursing and degrees in other health sciences - the foundation of the college remained unchanged.
“What has not changed is the compassionate and caring environment of the college,” she said. “It has truly been a second home and supported the growth of my career. I thoroughly enjoyed the diversity of the students and the clinical experiences.”
Dr. Capp Taber’s career began as a medical/surgical nurse at the former St. Mary Hospital in Quincy, where she found her passion for behavioral health nursing.
A graduate of Brown County High School, Dr. Capp Taber earned a Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science degrees in Nursing from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Olivet Nazarene University.
She credits her husband Kevin Taber, son Benjamin Capp, and sisters Zoe Sullivan, Debra Putnam and Kim Eichelberger for supporting her in various ways during her career.
Deborah Race
Dr. Race served as associate professor and retired after 37 years of service. She received her registered nursing education from Blessing-Rieman, earning an RN diploma and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Dr. Race went on to earn a Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Phoenix, and a Doctorate of Philosophy degree in nursing from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
She began her career as a staff nurse on a Blessing Hospital medical-surgical unit and oncology unit before holding a house supervisor position and the RN-MDS Coordinator role on Blessing’s Skilled Nursing Unit. Dr. Race joined the college faculty in 2009.
Linda Burke
Burke served as assistant professor and retired after 25 years of service.
“I’ve enjoyed caring for and making a difference in so many patients’ lives, as well as influencing and educating the next generation of professional registered nurses,” she said.
Prior to joining Blessing-Rieman, Burke served at Hannibal LaGrange College; a college in Wisconsin; and two medical facilities in Connecticut.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Southern Maine.
Burke held national certification as a critical care nurse and nurse educator during her career.