On October 7, 2022, the university held a sponsorship ceremony to recognize three nursing pioneers who funded possibility and opportunity for Jackrabbits following in their footsteps in the On Campus Clinical Learning Environment (OCCLE).

A true trailblazer in healthcare, Maxine Wilcox’s selflessness and compassion changed countless lives. Following her graduation from SDSU in 1954, she traveled to 27 countries across six continents for ministry work, where she’d set up hospitals, teach nursing classes, and live a life of tireless philanthropy. Maxine’s legacy continues on at SDSU, where her estate funded simulation equipment that will help to train future nurses.

Erica DeBoer is a 1997 graduate of SDSU who has built an impactful career with Sanford Health. Now the organization’s Chief Nursing Officer, Erica has over 20 years of experience in front-line nursing, critical care, clinical leadership, and education. With first-hand experience in medical technology, she believes in the difference simulation-based learning will make for nurses and their patients. Along with her husband, Shane, Erica sponsored a control room in the OCCLE. 

A 1971 nursing grad, Marlene Schmid spent many years teaching epidemiology and infection control, in addition to building an impressive military career. After attending an on-campus event and taking note of the cutting-edge technology available to the nursing program, Marlene’s husband, Paul, felt inspired to carry on the late Marlene’s legacy and honor her unwavering service in healthcare. 

Thanks to the tremendous impact of Maxine Wilcox, Erica DeBoer, and Marlene Schmid, the OCCLE will train future healthcare professionals just like them: innovative, compassionate, and boldly going above and beyond to transform the field of medicine.