Evergreen Park Woman Inducted Into Moraine Valley Hall of Fame

PALOS HILLS, IL -- An Evergreen Park mother of nine is one of four alumni being inducted into the 2018 Alumni Hall of Fame at Moraine Valley Community College. Debbie Izzo is currently working as certified Registered Nurse, childbirth educator and lactation counselor at Advocate Christ Medical Center In Oak Lawn. Izzo is receiving special recognition as the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year.

“I am honored,” Izzo said. “To be recognized for things I love to do—that’s just the best of everything.”

Izzo earned an associate’s degree in applied science in nursing in 2008, and an associate’s in arts degree at Moraine Valley. She successfully completed the Certified Nursing Assistant and Phlebotomy certificate programs. While working as a nurse at Advocate Christ Medical Center, she earned a bachelor of science in nursing from Olivet Nazarene University.

Her passion, she says, is working with new moms and infants. Izzo is certified in maternal newborn nursing and is a certified lactation counselor. She earned a Lamaze International teaching certificate, is also a certified trainer with Childbirth Professionals International. In addition to her full-time job at the hospital and being a mom to nine children, Izzo volunteers as an instructor at the Southside Pregnancy Center in Oak Lawn and gives of her time to the Preeclampsia Foundation in several capacities. She is one of 24 people across the country recognized as a resource for women suffering from this condition.

She served on the Illinois PTA state board as district director, regional director and as the organization’s health director. In these capacities, Izzo developed a health fair jumpstart kit to enable others to effectively run a health fair in their school or community.

Izzo’s honors include a March 2017 Nursing Excellence Award from the March of Dimes; she was one of only a few nationwide to be cited for their “tireless efforts and valuable contributions toward improving the health of mothers and babies.” She also was a finalist for the 2017 Joyce Woytek Clinical Nursing Excellence Award. In addition, Izzo was cited by Advocate Christ Medical Center in recognition of her community service and by the Illinois Poison Center for her volunteer efforts to help create safer home, play and work environments.

“The fact that I was chosen to be in the Hall of Fame really blows me out of the water,” Izzo said. “I got my wonderful nursing foundation at Moraine Valley, and I’m honored to be what I would consider an ambassador for the college.”

Kristy McGreal, executive director of the Moraine Valley Foundation, said it is exciting to have Izzo among those being inducted into this year’s Alumni Hall of Fame. “Debbie’s service to the community coupled with her professionalism and compassion demonstrate the epitome of what we stand for at Moraine Valley, and we are proud to have her among this elite group of graduates,” McGreal said.

Izzo is receiving special recognition as this year’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. This award is given to a Moraine Valley graduate who has achieved outstanding success in her chosen field, provided humanitarian service and continues to show interest in and support of education. She will be the college’s nomination to the statewide contest through the Illinois Community College Trustees Association.

“Naming Debbie Izzo Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award was a unanimous decision by the selection committee,” McGreal said. “We had an outstanding group of nominees from which to choose, but ultimately it was her dedication and involvement in the community. She gives back so much. She also is a lifelong learner and has continued to receive additional certifications to enhance her professional career.”

Izzo, along with Dr. Jehad Matariyeh, of Homer Glen; Theresa Hattar, of Chicago; and Alderman Brian Hopkins, of Chicago; will be inducted Feb. 22, at the college. For more information, contact McGreal at mcgrealc2@morainevalley.edu.