Shannon Sheltra

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“’That which does not kill me, can only make me stronger.’ These words ring true and help keep me steady through the storms. Over my lifetime, I have lived, loved, and lost. A measure of a man is not in his successes, but in how he recovers from his failures. This philosophy has lent wings to my dreams.”

  • Program: 2011 Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Recipient
  • Resides: West Newbury, MA
  • Hometown: West Newbury, MA
  • Age: 41

Biography

Profile: Shannon Sheltra’s life ambition is to become a doctor.  The mother of three suffered with severe asthma her entire life, and as a youngster she was on a first-name basis with the staff at the local hospital’s emergency room thanks to almost weekly visits because of asthma attacks.  Finally her mother brought her to Children’s Hospital in Boston, where she observed and got to know personally the caring and professional staff.  That personal trauma had a silver lining in that it exposed her to the beauty and dedication of healers.  Even as a little girl “I was asked to be responsible and accountable for my own health. It was empowering and liberating,” said Shannon.  Now, more than 30 years later, “I have arrived at a place and time in my life where I can offer that feeling and that state of mind to other people. My current work in pulmonary rehabilitation puts me in touch with people like me. I can relate to what my patients are going through and I offer them relief through therapies to manage their disease. A medical degree will take my work to the next level.” Shannon is well prepared for that next step, having graduated with honors from Northern Essex Community College’s (NECC) respiratory care program and also working at a local hospital. 

Inspiration:  Many years ago Shannon and her husband owned a horse farm.  It was their pride and joy.  They had children and although running a farm is difficult, back-breaking work, life was good.  Then tragedy struck. Her husband died suddenly of a heart attack and Shannon was forced to sell the farm.  She started community college at age 38 and her inspiration to keep moving forward comes from her wonderful children, Francis, Rosina and Jouliette,

Aspiration:  Her lifelong dream has been to become a doctor.

Making a Difference: Even though Shannon lost her horse farm several years ago, she still keeps three horses and provides lessons as therapy to local individuals with emotional or physical disabilities.  “Horses have been a healing force in our lives throughout our challenges. Our horses touch the lives of many families as we work with the Newburyport Mother's Club, Tri-town Early Intervention and private clients. We build relationships and empower kids.”

Accolades:  Shannon was awarded an Allied Health Scholarship from the Massachusetts Hospital Association as well as a Respiratory Care Scholarship from the Massachusetts Society for Respiratory Care.  She also received the NECC Honors Scholarship and the Massachusetts State Scholarship.

Interesting Fact:  At one point Shannon owned a dance studio in East Boston.

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