“It was the door – I mean, if there was no OCCC, I wouldn’t have been able to become a nurse.”

— Registered Nurse Adrian Diaz-Palacios

Adrian Diaz-Palacios is an OCCC graduate whose story resonates with many members of the OCCC community, especially first-generation students, hardworking parents and spouses who are pursuing higher education.

For Diaz-Palacios, the journey toward OCCC began when his family returned from Mexico in 2006 after living in the United States for three years.

“I know how hard it was back there,” he said. “I decided to go to college, but I wanted a job where I could make a lot of money. I wanted to be an architect.”

However, his dream of becoming an architect soon changed when he spoke to his advisor about wanting to take a class where he could learn how to save a life.

“I always wanted to know how to save someone’s life with CPR or when someone is drowning or dying,” Diaz-Palacios said. “I asked him, ‘Do you have a class where I can learn how to save a life?’ and he said, ‘We don’t just have a class. We have a whole course.’”

That course was the paramedic program.

After deciding to enroll in the paramedic program, Diaz-Palacios visited the paramedic training area at OCCC and recalled seeing a real-life-sized ambulance that was part of the Emergency Medical Services education building around 2008. He eventually graduated and received an associate degree as a paramedic in 2010. However, due to personal obstacles, he was unable to immediately continue his education. He later returned to his studies, however, this time as a nursing major.

As he worked toward becoming a registered nurse, he emphasized how valuable community colleges like OCCC are for students who cannot afford to attend a large university or be full-time students.

“OCCC gave me a chance,” Diaz-Palacios said. “I couldn’t afford to go somewhere else; I couldn’t pay a big college. Me, already married and as a father, I didn’t have money. They offered classes in the evening. It was affordable while I worked part time, and that’s how I was able to start.”

During his time at OCCC, Diaz-Palacios met many incredible professors, but someone who stood out was EMS Professor Harvey Conner, who passed away in 2019. Conner provided immense support and encouragement while Diaz-Palacios pursued both his paramedic and nursing education.

“He was my professor in the paramedic course, and he was teaching pharmacology,” Diaz-Palacios recalled. “That was one of the toughest classes I had ever had.”

Diaz-Palacios noted that after being an A+ student in high school, this class made him consider dropping out.

“He told me not to give up, that this class was hard and that I shouldn’t be feeling bad about getting lower grades,” Diaz-Palacios said. “He told me to keep going – and now I’m a nurse.”

Diaz-Palacios graduated with an associate degree in nursing in 2015 and had the privilege of graduating with honors. After graduation, he passed the National Council Licensure Examination and began working in the ICU trauma unit, gaining experience before moving into the trauma emergency room. After a year, he worked in the ER at INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center for four years and later gained experience as a telephone line triage nurse for another three years. He then worked at Cedar Ridge Behavioral Hospital as a behavioral telephone nurse.

“I always wanted to help people,” Diaz-Palacios said, “especially people suffering from mental problems and suicidal thoughts.”

Today, Diaz-Palacios works as a hospice nurse at the Gospel of Life Disciples Dwelling (GOLD) under the leadership of Sister Maria of the Trinity, founder and director of GOLD.

“I work for Sister Maria,” he said. “She’s a (Catholic) nun who has a house for the dying and homeless. They take care of them so that way they don’t die by themselves.”

During his free time, Diaz-Palacios also enjoys helping people on the streets, bringing them food and hope.

When asked what his favorite part of his job is, he said helping others has always been his joy.

“I like that I am able to help others,” he said. “I see that there is a lack of medical knowledge, and when you can explain to someone why they have an IV or why they are having this, I mean you can save a life.”

For Diaz-Palacios, faith and service go hand in hand.

“I want to keep helping others,” he said. “My main goal, even if it sounds basic, is to be the best version of myself – or, as they say in the Catholic church, a saint.”

After being a registered nurse for 11 years, Diaz-Palacios’s advice for OCCC students, especially nursing and paramedic majors, is to keep going.

“Don’t give up,” he emphasized. “It will seem like it’s getting tough, but like people say, ‘The darkest time is when the sun will rise.’

“And remember you are doing it for yourself, your family and for all the people you will help,” he added. “Even if it’s hard, you CAN do it. God never gives us something we can’t do.”

The affordability, support and flexibility of OCCC made pursuing higher education possible for Diaz-Palacios. His journey reflects the OCCC spirit of leadership, determination and purpose. Through graduates like Diaz-Palacios, OCCC continues to flourish, expanding its commitment to knowledge, community and hope well beyond the campus walls.