The Sisters Of Charity Health System Awards Four Nursing Scholarships In Ohio And South Carolina
Cleveland, OH - Sr. Judith Ann Karam, CSA, President and CEO of the Sisters of Charity Health System, has announced the winners of the fourth annual Caritas Nursing Scholarships. The nursing students selected to receive the $2,500 scholarship represent each of the three communities served by the Sisters of Charity Health System -- Canton, Cleveland and South Carolina.
The students are also employees or the immediate family members of employees at one of the Health System's 20 sponsored ministries, including its five hospitals -- Mercy Medical Center in Canton, St. Vincent Charity Hospital and St. John West Shore Hospital in Cleveland, Providence Hospital and Providence Hospital Northeast in South Carolina.
According to Sr. Judith Ann, the Caritas Nursing Scholarship program was created to encourage and sustain students with nursing aspirations, especially in light of the growing shortage of nurses.
"The communities served by the Sisters of Charity Health System are certainly affected by the national nursing shortage. The Caritas Nursing Scholarships were established in 2004 to support individuals who understand the mission and philosophy of Catholic health care and who are interested in pursing a nursing career," said Sr. Judith Ann.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, between 1996 and 2000 the rate of nurses entering the workforce was only 4.1 percent, down from more than 14 percent between 1992 and 1996. Furthermore, the average age of registered nurses has increased substantially as fewer young people choose nursing careers.
The four students selected to receive the scholarship met strict criteria in the areas of scholastic achievement, community service and commitment to the nursing profession. The applicant's financial need and personal compatibility with the mission of the Sisters of Charity Health System were also considered. Numerous applications were received and reviewed by internal committees in Canton and Cleveland, Ohio and Columbia, South Carolina.
The Caritas Nursing Scholarships are awarded in recognition of Sr. Mary Patricia Barrett, CSA, an instrumental leader in the formation of the Sisters of Charity Health System and its first president and CEO. Sr. Mary Patricia is still actively involved at the Sisters of Charity Health System in her role as Archivist and Special Assistant to the President and CEO.
The 2007 Caritas Nursing Scholarship winners are:
Diane Durbin - Canton, OH: A recipient of the 2006 Caritas Nursing Scholarship, Ms. Durbin was chosen again this year to receive the Canton scholarship. She is the daughter of Teresa Durbin, R.N., a childbirth educator at Mercy Medical Center. Ms. Durbin recently completed her first year in nursing school at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, where she is enrolled in the Honors Program and maintains a high-level GPA. Ms. Durbin stays very active at the university as a student ambassador and admission office worker.
Dawn Funk: - Westlake, OH: A recipient of the 2006 Caritas Nursing Scholarship, Ms. Funk was also chosen again this year to receive the Cleveland scholarship. She is currently enrolled in the RN program at Lorain Community College. For the past three years she has served as a radiology assistant/transporter at St. John West Shore Hospital. Ms. Funk stays active in her community by raising funds for the American Lung Association and participating in the "Walk for MS." Ms. Funk resides with her husband and two children in North Ridgeville.
James Palcisko - Richfield, OH: Since 1997, Mr. Palcisko has been employed as a restorative nurse at Regina Health Center, one of the Sisters of Charity Health System's sponsored ministries. He earned an LPN degree from Marymount College and is currently working toward his RN degree at ATS Institute of Technology where he attends its accelerated evening full-time program. Mr. Palcisko resides in Brunswick with his wife and three sons. He has been active in supporting the fundraising efforts of the March of Dimes and St. Jude campaigns. Mr. Palcisko also volunteers at Regina Health Center's gift shop.
Janel Randolph - Columbia, SC: Ms. Randolph is enrolled in the nursing program at South Carolina State University. She is also employed part-time at Providence Hospital as a nursing tech. Ms. Randolph graduated from Richland High School in May of 2006 as salutatorian. One of her most significant accomplishments relating to health care was competing in South Carolina's Health Occupations Students of America's Medical Assisting Clinical competition. She placed first in South Carolina and sixth in the nation.
SOURCE: Sisters of Charity Health System