Alumna credits Palm Beach State for preparing her to thrive in health care
Palm Beach State alumna Kerima Gorigoitia earned her Associate in Science degree in nursing in 2014. Today, she is enjoying a career at Kindred Hospital in Riviera Beach, serving the Clinical Appropriateness Management department.
Gorigoitia conveys a strong sentiment to all the PBSC students that they are at the right place to complete their education and professional dreams. In fact, according to Gorigoitia, Palm Beach State completely changed her life for the better with an opportunity to become a highly skilled professional while taking care of her family. Attending nursing school when she was a stay-at-home mother wasn’t easy. Looking back, Gorigoitia has no doubt that her education at Palm Beach State was the best decision she ever made.
“All it takes is commitment and perseverance. That’s the key to success,” says Gorigoitia. “Perseverance is the key in every endeavor in life and this is one of those.”
She trusts that the end of the academic journey brings many opportunities to either continue on an academic path or find the career of one’s dreams. Gorigoitia insists that we shouldn’t allow anyone or anything to interfere with our goals and that passion for what you do is essential.
Gorigoitia works from home, representing underprivileged patients who do not have access or knowledge to advocate for themselves when navigating their benefits and coverage post care. She believes that although she is not in the office with her patients, her work still touches their lives.
Embracing her fellowship of future nurses, Gorigoitia knows the daunting road ahead for them; however, she has never lost sight of the reward of seeing her hard work pay off. She recognizes what she calls her “soft heart,” a testament to what drives her devotion for her work and compassion for others. “Palm Beach State prepared me for the challenges of working in the health care field, ready for the responsibility of caring for people.”
In recognition of Palm Beach State College’s 90th anniversary, the weekly Alumni Spotlight Series showcases the College’s role in preparing generations of graduates to achieve success in myriad careers and give back to their local communities.
