Father and son David (right) and Aiden Gawel graduated from Montgomery County Community College's Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program. Photo by Linda Johnson
Father and son David and Aiden Gawel put their feet to the pavement to get in shape together. Aiden, a 2023 Abington Senior High School state and national track champion, was “instrumental” in helping his dad shed half of his 325-pound frame by taking up the sport he loves.
When it came time to set his sights on a career following high school, Aiden, now 21, looked to David, 56, for guidance. In the summer of 2023, David, a former Pennsylvania State Trooper who had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, split his time between working in security and taking coursework for Montgomery County Community College’s Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program.
“Mental health is often overlooked and underserved, especially in the medical field,”
David says. His diagnosis inspired him to choose a career where he can help others
navigate mental health conditions. “Because of my background and suffering through
PTSD, I really have a passion for helping other people through that.”
Unsure of his career path, Aiden initially thought pharmacology would be a good fit.
“I chose nursing because it’s very close,” he says, adding that he hopes to work in a hospital, possibly as an anesthesiologist.
In summer 2023, while working as a manager at Chipotle, the younger Gawel also began coursework at Montco. Between funding provided by his job and an athletic scholarship from high school, Aiden’s tuition was fully covered.
Similar to their running journey, Aiden beginning his studies at Montco encouraged David to kick things into high gear.
“He was such a good student. He was further ahead than me,” David says, adding that Aiden had taken AP Chemistry courses in high school. “I had to work really hard to get caught up to his level.”
The hard work paid off when the Gawels graduated with Associate of Applied Science degrees from Montco’s nursing program in May 2026.
“One of my most important moments of my life has been seeing my son grow into an empathetic
man through the nursing program,” David says. “I’ll never forget these years studying
with my son. It’s been my greatest joy to see him grow. It was really truly important
for me to graduate with him.”
David served as a speaker for the pinning ceremony celebrating nursing graduates, as well as for Mental Health Awareness Week at the College.
“It was a seminal moment,” he shares. “I wasn’t afraid to talk about my own mental health struggles. There are some people who will look at you a little differently. I wanted to make sure that I brought awareness. Having a mental health condition doesn’t mean that you’re less than.”
David also participated in the more rigorous honors version of the Caring for the Client Across the Lifespan course, which helped deepen critical thinking and clinical judgment.
“More than one person tried to talk me out of it,” David recalls of the challenging
honors course. “I was very well-served by going into the program.”
Through this experience, David interacted directly with patients from correctional facilities, as well as individuals battling severe depression, suicidal tendencies, and other mental health crises.
The fieldwork paved the way for David’s forthcoming career at Fairmount Behavioral Health System. Aiden, meanwhile, continues to apply and interview for his first nursing job in a hospital or rehab center setting.
David credits the College’s “compassionate teachers” with guiding him to the finish line.
“As an older student you have a lot of self-doubt,” he reflects. “I was very nervous about starting again.”
Still, even with his schooling for the state police and a previous stint in college, he says Montco “was the hardest accomplishment.”
“They are very rigorous in their academics,” David says of the College.
Both David and Aiden credit Montco’s top-notch professors with setting them up for educational success.
Nursing instructor Christine Troyer was a great professor who has a “deep understanding
of content and compassion,” Aiden says, adding “I also loved my clinical instructor
(Christina) Sirianni.”
The College’s career fair was beneficial in connecting Aiden with hospitals, he says, noting that site visits with teachers also provided him with some practical real-world experience.
David said Mrs. Troyer is the “best professor” he’s ever had.
“She has a very real connection with her students,” he says. “You’re kind of laughing as you’re learning with her. She’s probably the most empathetic, deeply emotional professor. She never really denigrates herself. She’s humorous and you’re learning. She’s one of the few people I’d trust with my health care.”
The other is Aiden, whom David calls “a source of inspiration.” At 14, Aiden competed in the Runner’s World half marathon in the 16-21 category – and won.
“That is a no-joke course,” David recalls. “At least 60 percent of the time you’re uphill. He ran with me … and ran ahead of me.”
Fast forward seven years and David has since run a marathon, while Aiden has “almost” run a marathon.
Through their athletic and educational endeavors, both father and son have come to realize that life is a marathon after all and not a sprint.