Oakland Community College Honors Former Health Officer with New Nursing Scholarship
In a heartfelt tribute, the city of Pontiac has come together to honor the legacy of Calandra Green, who served as Oakland County’s health officer before her tragic passing in 2023. To keep her spirit alive and support the next generation of nurses, the Dr. Calandra Green Memorial Scholarship has been established, providing vital funding for students pursuing nursing degrees at Oakland Community College (OCC).
A Sad Ending to a Beautiful Life
Calandra Green, 50, lost her life in a murder-suicide that shocked the community. On May 11, 2023, both she and her husband, Charles Quincy Green Sr., 52, were discovered dead in their Pontiac home. Autopsies confirmed that her husband had shot her before taking his own life. This devastating event left many in the community mourning the loss of a dedicated health professional and a beloved leader.
Building a Legacy Through Education
To ensure that Calandra’s passion for nursing lives on, the scholarship aims to provide partial funding for nursing students at OCC. While the first application period has closed, recipients are expected to be announced soon. This scholarship not only supports students but also commemorates a woman who was a trailblazer in her field.
Calandra began her journey in nursing at OCC, where she earned her initial degree. She dedicated 28 years to the profession, eventually joining McLaren Oakland in 2007 as a patient care services manager. Through her hard work and dedication, she climbed the ranks to become the vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer, responsible for overseeing more than 300 nurses. In 2018, she made history by becoming Oakland County’s first African-American health officer.
Words from Colleagues and Friends
The impact Calandra had on her colleagues and the healthcare community is immeasurable. Chad Grant, the executive vice president and chief operating officer of McLaren Health Care, expressed how heartbroken everyone was after her passing. “Calandra was a warm, caring, and thoughtful person,” he said, highlighting the qualities that made her not only an exceptional nurse but also a remarkable leader and mentor. “Her legacy still reverberates throughout McLaren Oakland, and we are very grateful that this scholarship will advance her memory and help others enter the profession she loved.”
County Commissioner Angela Powell, a personal friend of the Green family, also reflected on Calandra’s commitment to improving health outcomes, especially for African-American mothers and other minority groups. “She was a huge advocate for anything in the health sector,” Powell noted, emphasizing how dedicated Green was to addressing health disparities.
A Bright Future for Nursing Students
To qualify for the Dr. Calandra Green Memorial Scholarship, nursing students at OCC must maintain a solid academic record, completing at least 30 credit hours while holding a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Applicants are also required to submit a 500-word essay explaining why they chose to pursue a career in nursing. This not only promotes academic excellence but also encourages students to reflect on their passion for helping others.
Information regarding the next application period for this scholarship hasn’t been released yet. However, if you’re an aspiring nursing student looking to take part in this meaningful initiative, keep an eye on the official OCC website for updates. For more details, you can visit Oakland Community College.
Calandra Green’s legacy continues to inspire and uplift, reminding us all of the incredible impact one person can have on the lives of others. Thanks to this scholarship, her story will live on through the students and future nurses whose lives she has helped transform.
