Dr. Souror Baetjer, left, receives her award from Board of Directors chairperson Paula Singer.

Dr. Souror Baetjer of Bridgewater, N.J., developed an exemplary continuing-education allied health program from the ground up at Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC). She independently sought out instructional resources, surveyed the community for program needs and won immediate statewide recognition for the program.

As the assistant dean of corporate and continuing education at RVCC, located in Somerville, N.J., Baetjer presents her expertise at state and national conferences, prepares students for state and national certification examinations, and often provides advisement on allied health programs to colleagues.

Educator and Community Leader
As an educator, health care leader and frequent committee participant, Baetjer works tirelessly to benefit her community. She has been a model for those who want to propel social change in the world around them. For these efforts, Walden University awarded Baetjer its 2008 Outstanding Alumni Award.

In preparing her students for state and national certification examinations, Baetjer does so with “excellent pass results,” according to RVCC’s corporate and continuing education dean Janet Luton Perantoni, who nominated Baetjer for the award. Baetjer has held a number of positions in college-based committee work and actively volunteers on various college committees.

As an RVCC faculty member she developed and continues to teach the HIV/AIDS education course. Baetjer also teaches such courses as Fitness and Wellness, CPR/AED Professional Rescuer, and First Aid. She has served as the RVCC Master Trainer of Public Employee Occupational Safety (PEOSHA) and the Right to Know program, educating faculty and staff annually. Additionally, she helped to make RVCC one of the 10 community colleges selected nationwide to participate in the Bridges to Healthy Communities project, sponsored jointly by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Association of Community Colleges.

An RVCC employee for 24 years, she also served as the RVCC’s project director for five years and was the director of allied health at the college before becoming an associate dean. Also, she has served as president of the New Jersey College Health Association.

An International Education
Baetjer attended the Jourjani School of Nursing in Mashhad, Iran, and became a registered nurse in 1966. She received a Bachelor of Science in health care administration in 1986 at Saint Joseph's College; a master’s in health education in 1998 at Norwich University, Vermont; and a Ph.D. in Health Services with a specialization in Community Health from Walden University in 2000.

About the Award
Read more about the Outstanding Alumni Award and past recipients.

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