Debbie Holly’s connection to Point Loma started with Pasadena College (PC). Her parents, both students at PC at the time, met and married when they were still attending classes at PLNU’s original location.
(Class of ’56 and ’59)
“I was born the year my father graduated,” said Holly. “My parents had very close friends from their time at Pasadena who we were always with, and when the campus moved to Point Loma, we stayed connected, so there was always a reason to be on campus.”
Holly was originally headed to Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, Idaho, but decided to stay in the area and attend Point Loma in San Diego after visiting the new campus.
“I can’t even imagine my life without PLNU,” said Holly. “It has brought me such dear friends, incredible memories, as well as foundations for a fulfilling career and a Christian life.”
Holly studied nursing and graduated with her degree in 1979 before she started working at Sharp Memorial Hospital on a medical surgical oncology unit. After several years bedside, Holly earned her Master of Science in Nursing and pursued education and leadership roles.
Her career spanned over 45 years working with Sharp Healthcare. During this time, she was able to interact with Point Loma nursing students and their instructors as part of their clinical assignments on her units. In many instances, Holly was also in a position to hire both Point Loma nursing students and graduate registered nurses to work on hospital nursing units at Sharp Healthcare.
“The Point Loma nursing program has an excellent reputation in San Diego,” said Holly. “Graduates of these programs are very desirable hires in hospitals and healthcare agencies.”
Growing up as the eldest daughter with multiple siblings, Holly found she was a natural caregiver and enjoyed helping people. A career in nursing aligned with her passions and gave her the opportunity to give back to her family in a unique way.
“I am a people person and a caregiver at heart,” said Holly. “I had a great opportunity to have my grandparents retire close by. I was able to partner with them during their medical challenges, which prepared me to do the same for my parents in their final years.”
Holly also spent a semester teaching leadership as an adjunct faculty member in 2019 while continuing to work with the PLNU nursing students who came through her unit. Her advice to those interested in the nursing field has years of experience behind it.
“I always tell future and current nurses: the most important thing you can do is find a job that you love,” said Holly.
“In nursing, there are so many different roles you can fill. Your patients deserve your best, and you deserve to be sure that you love what you’re doing.”
As she enters a new season of life with retirement and the recent loss of her parents, Holly continues to stay connected to Point Loma. She enjoys an ongoing relationship with the School of Nursing, continues to participate in alumni activities, attend sporting events, and visit campus as part of her daily walks.
“Unstructured time is a luxury,” said Holly, “but I want to be sure that my time is being spent on things that are of value and worthwhile. Things that are of value like the relationships with my family and the people in my church and community which extends to PLNU students.”
“I’m cognizant about how my time is being spent…I want to be sure I am pouring into others in the spirit of Christ.”
Receiving the Distinguished Achievement Award this year is a testament to how much she’s already given back to the community that will continue to be an integral part of her life.
“Who I am and what I have done is a part of this recognition, but I feel like I am such a product of my legacy,” said Holly. “I stand on the shoulders of those who have contributed to my development and success. The fact that so many in my family attended Pasadena College and Point Loma makes it especially poignant to me. It’s like we are all in this together receiving this award.”
PLNU congratulates Debbie Holly for being honored as a 2025 Distinguished Achievement award recipient.
Learn more about Debbie in a video honoring her as a 2025 DA awardee.
