Diane Castelli

Class of 1983

Working full time as a licensed practical nurse at Heywood Hospital, Diane Castelli yearned to move up in the nursing field. She turned to Mount Wachusett Community College to fulfill that dream by taking evening classes. “I chose MWCC for its highly regarded nursing program and flexible course schedule,” she explained.

Castelli enrolled in courses when the Gardner campus was brand new and “offered the opportunity for higher education to residents of all communities within driving distance.”

In particular, Dean and Anatomy and Physiology Professor Chuck Weitze “challenged every student during each class,” she recalled. “In retrospect, I appreciated his teachings every time I took care of a critically ill patient. I have been able to apply what I learned at MWCC in every position I have held, and still do today when teaching telemedicine to physicians and nurses around the globe.”

Castelli, who earned her nursing degree from MWCC in 1983, said she enjoyed every course she took during the seven years she attended the college. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing as well as two master’s degrees, in forensic nursing and communications, from Fitchburg State College.

All her degrees and experience prepared Castelli to become the Director of Clinical Training for AMD Global Telemedicine, Inc., a worldwide supplier of equipment and technology devices used in telemedicine.

“I have developed medical software for anesthesia and emergency medicine and have presented to physicians and nurses on telemedicine, e-health and telenursing around the world. The most remote and challenging areas that I have taught were in Third World countries.”