MOUNT OLIVE — Smithfield native Deborah Allen Stephenson has never backed down from a challenge.
After a 30-year career in accounting, Stephenson’s faith and compassion led her to answer a new calling: nursing.
Stephenson is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at the University of Mount Olive and is on track to graduate in the spring of 2025.
Stephenson’s journey to UMO’s nursing program is a testament to resilience.
Her first attempt at nursing school was interrupted by her husband’s critical need for a liver transplant.
With unwavering commitment, Stephenson set aside her studies to care for him.
Just nine days after withdrawing, a life-changing call announced a matching donor.
Stephenson’s husband recovered, but when she returned to her studies, fate again intervened; she was diagnosed with Uterine Serous Carcinoma.
Undeterred, Stephenson battled through surgery and treatment, ultimately graduating from Barton College with a degree in Gerontology in 2020.
In 2022, after years of remission, Stephenson’s doctor encouraged her to pursue her dreams.
Stephenson applied to UMO and began her nursing studies in the fall of 2023.
“UMO’s support and sense of purpose have transformed my life,” she says. “I feel the spirit of the Lord in everything we do here, and the faculty genuinely want us to succeed.”
Stephenson’s dedication to service extends beyond her academic pursuits.
Alongside her husband, Stephenson has been deeply involved in community service, including missionary work in NYC, and Poland, and local outreach through her church.
She also volunteers as a worship Leader, serves on the Pulpit Committee, and supports the children’s ministry at her church.
Stephenson’s also commitment to serving others has earned her multiple awards, including a 2008 Women’s Missionary Union (WMU) award for outstanding service, the 2024 UMO BSN Student Community Service Award, and a recent 2024 Sunflower Award nomination for her dedication to patient care and team support at UNC Health at Johnston.
At UNC Health, where she works as a Monitor Tech, Unit Secretary, and CNA, Stephenson monitors patients’ vitals, assists with patient care, and supports families, drawing on her experience and compassion to make a daily difference.
Stephenson’s family lovingly calls her “Dr. Deb” due to her commitment to their health and well-being, which also extends to her two children, Melissa Victoria Stephenson Briggs (44) and Arthur C. Stephenson II (41), and her grandchildren, Lindsey Briggs (20) and Maddox Stephenson (15).
The UMO nursing faculty have been instrumental to Stephenson’s success.
The support of professors like Dr. Natalie Smith, Professor Nori New-Jackson, and Nursing Chair Dr. Nancy Mimm, whom she calls “our fearless leader,” has positively impacted her time at the University.
Each has inspired Stephenson to pursue excellence in nursing and provide care that addresses physical and emotional well-being.
“Throughout all of my years in college, my time at UMO has been by far the most fulfilling of my life,” Stephenson said. “I love being a UMO student. There is a feeling in the air of ‘you can do this.’ People smile, laugh, and spread happiness. I feel so blessed to be a student at UMO and grateful for the opportunity to finish my nursing journey here.”
Looking to the future, Stephenson plans to specialize in geriatric care, helping older adults navigate their health challenges with dignity.
She also dreams of returning to school to earn a master’s degree in nursing education, motivated by her love of teaching and her belief that everyone deserves compassionate, informed healthcare.
At 64, Stephenson’s life inspires others.
She has demonstrated that no obstacle is insurmountable and that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.
“I know the Lord has me in the right place at the right time,” Stephenson said. “UMO is my success story. I am blessed beyond measure. For anyone considering returning to school, I would say, ‘Put your faith in God and take the leap. It is worth every step.”
