Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
Skip to main content
Chamberlain University, College of Nursing and Health Professionals
Menu

Mobile Main navigation

  • About
    • Accreditation
    • Alumni
    • Blog
    • Chamberlain Care
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • History
    • Newsroom
    • Online Education
    • Our Vision
    • Student Consumer Information
  • Academics
    • College of Nursing
      • 3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing
      • RN to BSN Option
      • RN to MSN Option
      • Certificate Programs
      • Master of Science in Nursing
      • MSN - Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
      • MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
      • MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
      • Doctor of Nursing Practice
    • College of Health Professions
      • Public Health Certificate Programs
      • Master of Physician Assistant Studies
      • Master of Public Health
      • Master of Social Work
    • Academic Resources
      • Academic Calendar
      • College Catalog
      • Curriculum Plans
  • Campus & Online
    • Campus
    • AZ - Phoenix
    • CA - Irwindale
    • CA - Sacramento
    • FL - Jacksonville
    • FL - Miramar
    • GA - Atlanta
    • IL - Addison
    • IL - Chicago
    • IL - Tinley Park
    • IN - Indianapolis
    • LA - New Orleans
    • MI - Troy
    • MO - St. Louis
    • NV - Las Vegas
    • NJ - North Brunswick
    • NC - Charlotte
    • OH - Cleveland
    • OH - Columbus
    • TX - Houston
    • TX - Irving
    • TX - Pearland
    • TX - San Antonio
    • VA - Tysons Corner
    • BSN Online Option
    • Post-Licensure & Graduate
      • RN to BSN Option
      • RN to MSN Option
      • Master of Science in Nursing
      • MSN - Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
      • MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
      • Doctor of Nursing Practice
      • Master of Physician Assistant Studies
      • Master of Public Health
      • Master of Social Work
  • Admission & Financial Aid
    • Admission
      • Transfer Guide
      • Catalog
      • Academic Calendar
      • Military Information
    • Financial Aid
      • Tuition & Expenses
      • Types of Financial Assistance
      • Financial Forms
      • Educational Healthcare Partners
      • Loans
      • Work Study
      • Grants
      • Scholarships

Mobile Secondary Navigation

  • Apply
  • Request More Info
  • Request More Info
  • Call
  • Apply
  • Request Info
  • Request Info

Mobile Utility Navigation

  • Current Students
  • Prospective Students
  • Transfers
  • Military
  • Alumni
  • Partners
  • Employers

Top Utility Navigation

  • Current Students
  • Information For
    • Current Students
    • Prospective Students
    • Transfers
    • Military
    • Alumni
    • Partners
    • Employers
  • Chat
  • 877.751.5783
Chamberlain University, College of Nursing and Health Professionals

Main Header navigation

  • About

    About

    Chamberlain University has a 130-year history preparing extraordinary nursing graduates and healthcare professionals. 

    • Accreditation
    • Alumni
    • Blog
    • Chamberlain Care
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • History
    • Newsroom
    • Online Education
    • Our Vision
    • Student Consumer Information
  • Academics

    Academics

    Whether you're an aspiring nurse looking to launch a rewarding career, a nursing professional looking to advance your career, or a professional looking to impact public health, Chamberlain offers the degree programs, options and resources to help you succeed.

    • College of Nursing
      • 3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing
      • RN to BSN Option
      • RN to MSN Option
      • Certificate Programs
      • Master of Science in Nursing
      • MSN - Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
      • MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
      • MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
      • Doctor of Nursing Practice
    • College of Health Professions
      • Public Health Certificate Programs
      • Master of Physician Assistant Studies
      • Master of Public Health
      • Master of Social Work
    • Academic Resources
      • Academic Calendar
      • College Catalog
      • Curriculum Plans
  • Campus & Online

    On Campus & Online

    Interested in becoming a nurse?
    Earn your BSN at one of 23 campuses located across the country, in just 3 years

    • Campus
    • AZ - Phoenix
    • CA - Irwindale
    • CA - Sacramento
    • FL - Jacksonville
    • FL - Miramar
    • GA - Atlanta
    • IL - Addison
    • IL - Chicago
    • IL - Tinley Park
    • IN - Indianapolis
    • LA - New Orleans
    • MI - Troy
    • MO - St. Louis
    • NV - Las Vegas
    • NJ - North Brunswick
    • NC - Charlotte
    • OH - Cleveland
    • OH - Columbus
    • TX - Houston
    • TX - Irving
    • TX - Pearland
    • TX - San Antonio
    • VA - Tysons Corner
    • BSN Online Option Clinical in select states
    • Post-Licensure & Graduate
      • RN to BSN Option
      • RN to MSN Option
      • Master of Science in Nursing
      • MSN - Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
      • MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
      • Doctor of Nursing Practice
      • Master of Physician Assistant Studies
      • Master of Public Health
      • Master of Social Work
  • Admission & Financial Aid

    Admission & Financial Aid

    Chamberlain is committed to providing quality and accessible healthcare and nursing education. Our team is with you every step of the way, providing the information you need to make the decisions that best serve you.

    • Admission
      • Transfer Guide
      • Catalog
      • Academic Calendar
      • Military Information
    • Financial Aid
      • Tuition & Expenses
      • Types of Financial Assistance
      • Financial Forms
      • Educational Healthcare Partners
      • Loans
      • Work Study
      • Grants
      • Scholarships

Secondary Header Navigation

  • Apply
  • Request More Info
  • Request More Info
  • Call
  • Apply
  • Request Info
  • Request Info

Featured

Image of Chamberlain Care Awards graphic
Drumroll, Please: Meet the Chamberlain…
Chamberlain Care Awards picture
Recognizing Chamberlain Alumni’s…
chamberlain conversations with Karen Cox, president of chamberlain university
Chamberlain Conversations – Why Our…

Tags

Browse articles by category
Alumni
Campus News
Careers
Health Professions
Nursing Today
Tips for Students

Share

Blog Social Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • Home / Blog / Careers / Alumnus Kelly Pearce Finds Calling as a Nurse Through Extraordinary Care

Alumnus Kelly Pearce Finds Calling as a Nurse Through Extraordinary Care

February 26, 2015 by Ryan Segovich
alumnus kelly pearce

This month’s alumni spotlight shines on Kelly Pearce, a 2000 graduate who earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Chamberlain when we were still known as the Deaconess College of Nursing.

Pearce’s efforts and accomplishments have landed him in the role of vice president of operations at SSM St. Clare Health Center, in St. Louis, Missouri since 2012.

An unexpected journey towards care

Pearce’s journey to become a nurse began in January of 1993 when he was a freshman in high school making plans for a career in the U.S. Air Force. He had just taken his first training flight to become a pilot when he received an unexpected diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.

Pearce was admitted to the pediatric unit of a Peoria, Illinois hospital where he was to learn what diabetes is, how to give insulin injections, take blood glucose levels and all of the other things that go into living with a chronic disease. The last thing he expected to find at the hospital was an inspiration that would shape the rest of his life. That inspiration was Beverly (Bev) Grimes, RN.

Grimes was the diabetic nurse educator that not only walked him through all of the technical aspects of caring for diabetes; she also made an emotional connection with Pearce . Grimes identified in their first interactions that Pearce was a Chicago Cubs baseball fan. She, on the other hand, was a St. Louis Cardinals fan.

While this may seem simple, it served as a common ground between the two. And in Pearce’s eyes, it was key in building trust, credibility and a connection between nurse and patient.

Upon discharge from the hospital, Pearce recalls having a conversation with his parents as they were leaving the parking garage about the impact of diabetes on his future. “I told them that I knew that I couldn’t have a career in the Air Force because of diabetes, but I knew that I wanted to become a pediatric nurse instead so that I could help kids like Bev does.” From that point onward, Pearce worked with his high school counselor to prepare for what it would take to get into nursing school.

Attracted by the rich history of the then Chamberlain College of Nursing and the St. Louis community, Pearce began his freshman year in 1996. He quickly became involved in life on campus participating as President of the Student Government Association for three years, Vice President of the Chamberlain College of Nursing Chapter of the National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) for one year and Vice President of the Missouri Chapter of the NSNA for one year.

In 2000, Pearce graduated with honors from Chamberlain, receiving his bachelor’s of science in nursing.

After working as both a pediatric and adult critical care nurse and, he began studies at the University of Missouri, Columbia to obtain his master’s degree in health administration. Upon completion of that degree in 2005, Pearce managed the critical care units at Des Peres Hospital before becoming administrative director, nursing operations at SSM St. Clare Health Center in 2009.

In 2012, Pearce was named vice president of operations at St. Clare and was recognized with an Excellence in Nursing Award by St. Louis Magazine in the category of Management/Nurse Executive/Clinical Leader.

Do you know a Chamberlain alumni who you’d like to shine a spotlight on? Submit their name to blog@chamberlain.edu

By Ryan Segovich

More from Careers

View all >
chamberlain conversations with Karen Cox, president of chamberlain university
Chamberlain Conversations – Health System Invests in…
Read more
person typing on laptop with a stethoscope next to it
RN to BSN: Public and Private Support
Read more
nurse walking down a hospital hallway with a bassinet
RN to BSN and RN to MSN: Advanced Options and Specialties
Read more
family nurse practitioner works with two patients
Family Nurse Practitioner Jobs and How to Find Them
Read more
Show more >

Request More Information

To receive the Chamberlain University Program Guide, including associated career paths, please select a program of study.

Footer Social Media Navigation

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

Secondary Footer Navigation

  • Apply
  • Request More Info
  • Request More Info
  • Call
  • Apply
  • Request Info
  • Request Info
Chamberlain University, College of Nursing and Health Professionals
Chamberlain University

Main Campus
Addison Campus
1221 North Swift Road
Addison, IL 60101 

National Management Offices
500 W. Monroe St, Suite 28
Chicago, IL 60661

Footer Menu Mobile Column 1

  • Current Students
  • Student Consumer Info
  • Alumni Association
  • Partners
  • Transfers
  • Military
  • Academic Catalog & Viewbook
  • CA BPPE Information

Footer Menu Column 1

  • Campus Locations
  • Online Programs
  • Master of Physician Assistant Studies
  • Alumni Association
  • Chamberlain Marketplace
  • Military
  • Leadership
  • Catalog & Viewbook

Footer Menu Column 2

  • Student Portal
  • Student Consumer Info
  • Accreditation
  • Parent Organization
  • CA Performance Fact Sheets
  • CA BPPE Annual Report
  • CA BPPE Website

Footer Menu Column 3

  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Online Cookie Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Use
  • Contact Us
  • Accessibility
  • Student Disability Services
  • † Chamberlain University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post graduate APRN certificate programs at Chamberlain University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, (https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE). The Chamberlain University Doctor of Nursing Practice (delivered via distance education) is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037 (202-909-2526). Chamberlain University’s Master of Public Health Program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health, www.ceph.org. For the most updated accreditation information, visit chamberlain.edu/accreditation.

    To report unresolved complaints to the Illinois Board of Higher Education visit their webpage at https://complaints.ibhe.org/ or by mail to 1 N. Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 333, Springfield, IL 62701-1377. View Chamberlain's complaint process.

    Chamberlain University confers online degrees from its Main Campus in Addison, IL.

    Chamberlain University is a member of Adtalem Global Education, Inc. www.adtalem.com
    ©2022 Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.