Ryan Pitts was one of four medical professionals selected to speak at the 11th annual Alumni and Friends spring luncheon at Flathead Valley Community College. While he was prepared to address the crowd as a panelist, Pitts had no idea he would also receive FVCC’s 2020 Distinguished Alumni award

The prestigious award is given to one graduate of the community college each year who is honored for their career achievements, leadership and service to the community and college. Pitts was recently named the interim chief nursing officer at Kalispell Regional Healthcare and graduated from FVCC’s registered nursing program in 2015.

“I had no idea this award was coming … I’m humbled,” Pitts told the audience, fighting back tears. “I could not have achieved or have done the things that I’ve done without FVCC.”

Before beginning his studies at FVCC, Pitts split his time between volunteering for local fire services at Glacier Park International Airport, Smith Valley and Evergreen, while also working in the construction industry to support his family. But when the recession hit in 2008, Pitts was forced to consider a new career path.

“I live here in the valley, I have a family here, I’m entrenched in this area. I could not go and do schoolwork other places, so my options were whatever I could scrounge up on my own or whatever opportunities FVCC provided,” he explained.

Pitts and his wife Theresa have nine children.

Thankfully, Pitts was able to remain in the area and earn his degree locally. In fact, between 2010 and 2015, he finished degrees in paramedicine and emergency management and completed the Licensed Practical Nurse requirements. As a student, Pitts also received the Newman Civic Award, a national honor for college students who have served their communities.

“Today’s recipient always thinks of other people first. Their focus is on service above self,” said 2019 Distinguished Alumni Heidi Emerson as she presented this year’s award. “They support others in all that they do. This individual has been described as a compassionate, dedicated and skilled.”

Pitts completed FVCC’s Registered Nurse program in 2015 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Western Governors University, and is working toward a master’s degree.

Once he entered the medical field, Pitts’ career took him to new heights — quite literally. He worked for ALERT Air Ambulance as a flight medic, at Brendan House as an LPN and in the emergency room as a nurse at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Pitts has continued to climb the ladder at Kalispell Regional, and was most recently promoted to interim chief nursing officer, one of the highest management positions a nurse can have.

“Without FVCC and what it brings to our community, those wouldn’t have been my options. I would have been trying to find a construction work, trying to figure something else out. No way could I have had that kind of path or career growth without FVCC being here,” Pitts said. “It truly does make very meaningful differences in the lives of the people in our valley. I could never have dreamed that I would be standing here doing this.”

Reporter Mackenzie Reiss can be reached at (406) 758-4433 or mreiss@dailyinterlake.com.