Trinidadian nursing educator Dr. Hazel Mary Sanderson Marcoux, Ed.D., RN, wants nurses to build strong legacies.
In delivering the featured address Sunday, Sept. 14, of the Brooklyn-based Trinidad and Tobago Nurses Association of America, Inc. (TTNAA) 57th Anniversary Gala Luncheon and 33rd Scholarship Grant Award Ceremony at Russo’s on the Bay in the Howard Beach section of Queens, Dr. Sanderson Marcoux said she has been giving much thought to the topic, “Legacy Building.”
“Why am I talking about legacy building?“ she asked rhetorically. “About a year ago, someone asked me what I would like my legacy to be.
“I am sure that, over the years or even recently, someone asked you the same thing or you thought about it yourself,“ she added. “When I was asked that question and really did not give an answer, but today, as I look at the uncertainty of the world, the misinformation that is crowding the Internet, the removal of history, and the increasing incivility and disrespect that is flooding our world, I have been giving it much thought.
“If I left this world today, what would I like to leave behind?“ Dr. Sanderson Marcoux continued. “Then I read the words of Peter Strople, who said that legacy building is not leaving something behind for other people, but leaving something behind in other people.“
She told patrons, “We are here today not just to have an annual luncheon but to know our purpose, where we came from, and where, as an organization, we must go.”
Dr. Sanderson Marcoux then asked all TTNAA past presidents to “stand and be recognized for your commitment, vision, and continued support.
“Thank you all for your hard work in continuing the core value of the association – that of community service, not only here in the US but in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean,“ she said.
“So, visitors today understand your presence here, supporting community service, education, and nursing practice as we continue to nurture the next generation of nurses through mentoring and scholarship,“ Dr. Sanderson Marcoux added.
“To the current president (Dr. Cynthia Sterling-Fox, RN) be recognized and president-elect (Pamela Charles, RN), please stand and be recognized also,“ she continued. “We support you in your efforts to keep the mission and vision of the organization forging ahead.”
In quoting Maya Angelou and William James, Dr. Sanderson Marcoux said, “If you’re going to live, leave behind a legacy. Make an impact on the world that can never be erased.“
(William James) “The greatest purpose of life is to live it for something that will last longer than you.”
In 1975, Dr. Sanderson Marcoux said she migrated from Trinidad and Tobago and embarked on an educational journey over 12 years.
During these years, she said she obtained a BS in Nursing from Long Island University, a Master’s in Nursing Education, and a Doctorate of Education (higher education), both from Teachers College, Columbia University.
She said her nursing career took her from being a staff nurse and assistant head nurse at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn to general pediatrics/pediatric intensive care nursing and pediatric burn care.
After receiving her Master’s in Nursing, she transitioned to nursing education at Long Island University, where she spent about 30 years, progressing from nursing instructor to associate dean and tenured faculty member.
During that time, Dr. Sanderson Marcoux said she “transitioned“ her nursing care to that of medically fragile infants and children with special needs, working per diem with these children in their home environments.
At Long Island University, she said she taught across both the undergraduate and graduate nursing education curricula and particularly enjoyed classroom interactions. She also enjoyed helping students discover and develop a sense of inquiry while forging structured learning habits, which she coined “rewiring the thinking process.“
Dr. Sanderson Marcoux said he was a co-investigator on an HRSA grant that provided opportunities for Hispanic students to complete the rigors of the nursing program- from classroom to NCLEX and beyond.
After taking early retirement in 2016, she said she spent the next three years at Medgar Evers College, embarking on a two-year plan for the college to receive full accreditation of the nursing program. This plan was successfully completed and obtained in 2019.
Though retired from full-time activities, Dr. Sanderson Marcoux said she continues to work per diem at her “dream job for children with special needs.“
In addition, Dr. Sanderson Marcoux said she works with organizations focused on promoting opportunities for underrepresented and disadvantaged youth and young adults concerning health care, education, and workforce needs.
She said her latest achievement and a “life-long dream“ were realized in June 2025 when she published a series of six children’s books under the pen name Mary Marcoux, continuing to champion her passion — “children with special needs.”
