Palm Beach Atlantic University Inc.

05/07/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/07/2026 05:58

Graduating Student Spotlight: Charles Ressemble

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Nursing Student Graduate Turns Personal Tragedy into a Passion to Serve

Around 5 p.m. on January 12, 2010, the ground beneath Port-au-Prince, Haiti, shook. A rare 7.0-magnitude earthquake collapsed buildings across the capital city. What followed was unbelievable heartache for the tens to hundreds of thousands, who lost family members and friends. Floodgates of aid were also opened as help poured into the island nation, not just in the form of food, but medical doctors and nurses from around the globe. With this help came a silver lining and the birth of a dream for a young Charles Ressemble.

Born with pyloric stenosis, Charles suffered from abdominal issues that required medical care his family could not afford. Just weeks after the disaster, he was hospitalized. After multiple visits, he finally received the surgery he needed. The medical assistance the island received after the earthquake enabled Charles to finally get the medical attention his worsening condition required.

A Vision to Serve

What stayed with him from that experience wasn't just the procedure, but the people who cared for him afterward.

"The nurses after my surgery, they took great care of me," Charles says. "That definitely inspired me to do what they do."

This May, he graduates from Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) with a degree in nursing because of the desire to serve others in need of medical care.

Charles's path to PBA began after two-and-a-half years at Palm Beach State College. Encouraged by a classmate who spoke highly of the program, he applied and enrolled in January 2024. He is the recipient of the Pollyanna Nursing Scholarship. The financial award is offered to a PBA nursing student who demonstrates commitment to the profession of nursing as well as obtains a record of community service.

A Solid Support System

Charles reflects fondly on his two-and-a-half years at PBA, not only because of all he has learned, but because of the spiritual encouragement, too.

"Attending chapel, whether times are rough or good, gives you a different perspective," he says. "At the end of the day, we're learning to care for people, and we need to ask God for help. I believe He is the Healer of healers."

That perspective has sustained him through the highs and lows of the past couple of years. It's also been reinforced by a strong support system. Charles credits his family members, including his mom, dad and uncles Wilbert and Jirus for keeping him grounded and motivated.

Mentors and faculty members have also played a significant role in his journey, including Dr. Gregory Pierre Louis, a pharmacist he met while attending church. Professors like Dr. Kathy McKinnon, Professor Vanessa Duncan, and Dr. Julie Bowser helped shape his academic and professional development.

"I thank God for placing these people in my life," he says. "Because of them, I want to be a role model for my younger siblings," he says. "To show them what's possible."

Stepping into the Calling

Even with a vigorous academic schedule, Charles also completed a preceptorship in the emergency department at Bethesda Hospital West. The fast-paced environment expanded his perspective on patient care and introduced him to the realities of critical situations.

"It's been a great opportunity to see different fields and figure out where I fit," he says.

Looking back, Charles sees a clear thread connecting his past to his future. The hardship he endured in Haiti, the care he received during his own medical crisis, and the opportunities he's embraced in the United States have all shaped the nurse he is becoming.

What began in the rubble of a natural disaster has become a calling.

"Everything that has happened in my life has prepared me to be who I need to be today," he says.

Find out more about PBA's School of Nursing and the Pollyana Scholarship.

Palm Beach Atlantic University Inc. published this content on May 07, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 07, 2026 at 11:59 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]