Kelly Kulich of St. Joseph is the recipient of Lake Michigan College’s Spirit of Nursing Award out of 18 graduating nursing students for the Spring 2024 semester.
“Kelly was nominated by multiple classmates and chosen among the nominees by the faculty to receive this award,” LMC Nursing Director Denise Gardner said. “Her peers describe Kelly as ‘inclusive to everyone, open-minded and sincere’ and ‘always calm and supportive no matter what.’ Another shared that she is ’empathetic and is an advocate for her patients and fellow nursing students.’ Those are just a few reasons we are proud to bestow this honor on her.”
Originally from Roscommon County, Michigan, Kulich graduated from Roscommon High School in 1996. She attended Western Michigan University and moved to St. Joseph in 2003. Kulich and her husband, Kip Kulich, owned Fort Miami CrossFit in St. Joseph. They sold the business in 2021 when she decided to take advantage of the Michigan Reconnect program and finish her degree at LMC.
“I had learned a lot about physiology and the body from owning a gym, so I knew I wanted to go into healthcare,” Kelly Kulich said. “Nursing offered the most opportunities because there is so much you can do. I love helping people and working with people, so nursing was a great fit for me.”
For the past year, Kulich has worked as a Nurse Technician at Corewell Health South in St. Joseph. After graduation, she will continue her career at Corewell Health South as a nurse in the Emergency Department.
The LMC nursing faculty awards the Spirit of Nursing honor for both the Fall and Spring cohorts. Heather Hastings of Coloma received the Spirit of Nursing Award for the Fall 2023 semester.
Nursing students eligible for the Spring 2024 award began their nursing course studies during the Fall 2022 semester. Criteria for the award include a caring attitude towards patients and peers, the ability to collaborate in academic and healthcare settings, an attitude of inclusivity, civility, and respect for diversity, a demonstration of integrity and ethics, and a commitment to excellence and leadership.
“There’s such a great mix of people in the nursing program at LMC,” Kulich said. We had a great group. I could be some of their mothers, but everyone was so nice and so caring. They are all going to be excellent nurses. I was very overwhelmed that they chose me for this award. It is hard to accept because everyone deserves it. Receiving this recognition really means a lot to me.”
