It's all in a day's work for Dr. Linda Strong of the Sacred Heart University Nursing Department. 

Strong has recently been declared the recipient of the Outstanding Volunteer Award from the New England Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) after she was nominated by the Stratford Conn. Department of Health.

According to the Sacred Heart University website, Strong has been a longtime volunteer for the civilian group, which assists in times of disasters and epidemics. 

MRC of Stratford-Trumbull-Monroe is a volunteer organization with 280 current volunteering members. In a description given on MRC's website, they explain what their program is about.

"The Stratford-Trumbull-Monroe Medical Reserve Corps is sponsored by the Stratford Health Department addressing the public health and emergency preparedness needs of the nearly 108,000 residents of Stratford, Trumbull, and Monroe," according to the website.

"We draw on medical and non-medical volunteers from area towns to help the communities prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies, disasters, and pressing public health needs." 

Strong's work with the MRC is just one commitment she has made to her health care career. In 2011 Strong was named Healthcare Hero for Greater New Haven in the Community Service Category.

Upon being named a Healthcare Hero, Strong described her dedication to healthcare. 

"I fell in love with nursing in my senior year in college and have had a passionate love affair with public health nursing all my life," she told New Haven magazine.

Strong founded and co-directed the Sacred Heart University/St. Charles Health & Wellness Clinic. She also established Aging With Grace, a seniors program, in 2005.

Strong's leadership and commitment to volunteer work has particularly impacted her students and fellow nursing professors.

Senior Gina Belfiore has had many personal experiences with Strong. 

"I have worked with her in a clinic environment before, and she is an amazing nurse. She is very kind and helpful to the students," she said.

One way that Strong assists students is by ensuring that they feel at ease. 

"She acts as a mentor and helps you to feel comfortable while giving your first injection, which can be nerve-racking," Belfiore said.

Strong has always believed in administering her services on a direct basis. 

"I am a public health nurse," she told New Haven magazine. "The wealth of a country is measured by the good health of its citizens, so if I can make a difference in people's lives as a public health nurse, then they will be stronger."