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Spc. Seth Katz (from Duxbury, MA), a Massachusetts Army National Guard Medic with A Company 118th Medical ASMB (Concord, MA), takes the time for a photo at a Clinic in a Coalition Camp near Baghdad. Spc. Katz was the 2004 recipient of the coveted Margaret Anderson Nursing Award. Coveted Margaret Anderson Nursing Award Is Presented For The First Time To A Massachusetts Army National Guard Medic Story and Photo By: 1LT Anthony Falvey, Ambulance Platoon Leader, Baghdad, Iraq Sometimes deciding on a career path may lead a person to 're-invent themselves,' in a quest to find a profession that truly 'feels right.' Spc. Seth Katz, a resident of Duxbury, MA is in the middle of such a quest. "I gave up a successful career in high tech, to pursue a life-long interest in medicine." Katz's journey lead him to enlist with the MA Guard, becoming a medic with A Company 118th Medical ASMB (Area Support Medical Battalion), Concord. Simultaneously, he started nursing classes at the University of Massachusetts at Boston. "I wanted to become a part of the Guard because I believe the Guard's training and mission overlap with my interest in emergency medicine." "Also, the Guard strongly promotes and supports education." Presently, Katz is a vital part of an Aid Station at a Coalition Camp near Baghdad. At the Aid Station, Katz assists with the day to day wellness of soldiers and staff living at the camp. "Most of what we do here involves giving inoculations, treating minor illnesses and assisting with any type of medical crisis." During the beginning of April, Katz, a member of Sigma Theta Tau (Theta Alpha Chapter), a prestigious, academic international Honor Society for nursing, received a surprising e-mail from the chapter's out-going president, Stephanie Devik. The e-mail had stated that Katz was the 2004 recipient of the chapter's coveted Margaret Anderson Award. "I am flattered and honored and mostly humbled to receive the Margaret Anderson Award," Katz later wrote in an e-mail back to Devik. The Margaret Anderson award is a renowned honor among the UMASS Boston nursing students. This is primarily because Margaret Anderson was a well-known and well liked nursing Professor at UMASS Boston. According to Richard Ruel, the chapter's incoming president, "Margaret Anderson was the life-blood of the college of nursing." "She possessed an incredible amount of energy and enthusiasm for nursing and her students." "She was always reading, writing, thinking, preparing her lectures and talking with colleagues." Katz, with a similar amount of energy and enthusiasm incorporated his talents from his high-tech experience to develop computer applications for nursing. One such application was a prototype of a teaching tool that would allow students to document their clinical assignments on line. The Margaret Anderson Award has been distributed for 20 years. Spc. Katz has the distinctive honor of becoming the first MA Guard member to receive the coveted award. Nursing students are nominated by the faculty or members of Sigma Theta Tau International. Next, the nominations are sent to an Awards Committee who then votes on the nominated candidates. "I had no idea that I was considered or nominated," Katz stated with a grin. "That's why Stephanie Devik's e-mail message was a welcome surprise." Katz will continue with his interests with medicine and technology. His life-long concern for the welfare of people will also continue as he completes his quest for his Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Although Katz at the moment is proudly serving our nation assisting with 'Operation Iraqi Freedom,' he only has one semester left to obtain his nursing degree. "Once I have accomplished this goal, depending on the needs of the Guard and my decision- I then will determine if I will perform my nursing duties as an NCO (non-commissioned officer) or as an officer," he mentioned. Spc. Seth Katz (from Duxbury, MA), a Massachusetts Army National Guard Medic with A Company 118th Medical ASMB (Concord, MA), demonstrates proper technique of examining a patient. (SSG Melissa Onuscheck from Salem, MA) Spc. Katz was the 2004 recipient of the coveted Margaret Anderson Nursing Award.