Commencement 2023: Distinguished Alumna Mary Anne Douglas

Mary Anne Douglas describes herself as the fixing type—she has an innate drive to jump in and start fixing and problem solving. This drive, and her skills, have propelled her long career from surgical technician to executive leadership. She is currently the executive nurse director for Surgical Operations at Intermountain Health.

At 19, as a new graduate from Salt Lake Community College's Surgical Technology program, fixing came in the form of helping people heal. She recalls how miraculous it was to see acute trauma patients heal over a series of surgeries. She witnessed frequent problem solving in the operating room, as surgeons quickly adapted to each patient’s condition.

One of nine children, Mary Anne grew up in a small town in New Mexico and came to Utah to pursue education. When she saw an advertisement for the SLCC’s Surgical Tech program, it was like a lightning-bolt moment—“I knew that’s what I was going to do,” she says. She transferred her credits from BYU and began the program at SLCC in 1979.

While at the college, she met instructor Bonita Robertson, who would become one the top mentors in her life. “She taught us so much more than just technical skills, she taught us life skills and shared stories that really stuck with me,” recalls Mary Anne.

Her career as a surgical technologist allowed her to gain experience and support herself until she eventually earned a bachelor’s nursing degree at Westminster College and later a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration at the University of Colorado, Denver.

“Healthcare is a demanding field. You need to go into it with the attitude of ‘What can I bring to it,’” says Mary Anne. “It isn’t for everyone, but for me it’s been magic.”

Salt Lake Community College’s prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award honors SLCC graduates and former students for professional excellence and exemplary service to their communities in their chosen professional or academic fields. It’s the highest award the college bestows upon alumni. Traditionally, one female alumna and one male alumnus are selected as honorees each year.

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