Florida Health Care Association recently awarded $14,250 in scholarships through the Florida Health Care Education and Development Foundation to caregivers working in member centers seeking to advance their long term care careers. Twelve caregivers earned the Bruce Taylor Scholarship, which assists clinical staff with advancing their nursing education. An additional four recipients working in the long term care profession earned the Career Climb Scholarship to further their education and career in health care. Both scholarship programs are focused on supporting caregivers dedicated to their field and committed to delivering high-quality, long term care. Florida Health Care Association is pleased to announce the following latest recipients of these awards:
Bruce Taylor Scholarship Recipients
Gloria Rothman, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center of Cape Coral, has a short-term goal of being promoted Registered Nurse (RN) and a long-term goal of being a nurse leader within her center. She has been accepted into South Technical College and is pursuing an Associate Science degree in Nursing.
Wendy Smith, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at Consulate Health Care of Safety Harbor, is studying to become an RN at Pasco-Hernando State College. She hopes to ultimately work at a hospital in the emergent, trauma, or critical care unit.
Modinat Lowo, a CNA at DeBary Health and Rehabilitation Center, is attending City College and studying to become an RN. She hopes to strengthen her skill set and eventually become a Nurse Practitioner.
Fedline Nombre, an LPN at Consulate Health Care of Vero Beach, is studying at Keiser University for her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She looks forward to becoming an RN and continuing to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Lauren Montieth, an LPN at Parkside Health and Rehabilitation Center in Deland, is currently attending Daytona State College to become an RN. She hopes to obtain her BSN and Master’s degree and ultimately become a Nurse Practitioner.
Michelle Patterson, an RN and Unit Manager at Deltona Health Care, is enrolled in the BSN program at Daytona State College. Her end goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner and eventually begin working in the hospital setting to expand her expertise.
Uloma Ugorji, a CNA at Consulate Health Care of Largo, is studying at Arizona College Nursing in the BSN program. She hopes to obtain her dream career of being an RN and continue delivering exceptional quality of care to her residents.
Miranda Rivers, an LPN at Palm Garden of Gainesville, is in the Professional Nursing program at Rasmussen College. She hopes to work toward her BSN and, ultimately, her Master’s degree in Nursing. She also has an end goal of becoming a Nurse Practitioner.
Benita Morris, an LPN at Brynwood Health and Rehabilitation Center in Monticello, is studying at Southern Regional Technical College, obtaining her Associate of Science degree in Nursing. She wishes to explore new challenges of care-taking and has a long term goal of earning a Master’s degree in Nursing.
Tanya Whetsel, the Staff Developer Coordinator at Brynwood Health and Rehabilitation in Monticello, is currently enrolled in the Nursing program at North Florida Community College. Her goals include finishing school and becoming an RN after she finishes her studies. She also hopes to become a Nurse Practitioner while maintaining a focus on her interest in geriatric infectious diseases.
Kaleesha Francis, an LPN at Brynwood Health and Rehabilitation, is currently studying to become an RN at Southern Regional Technical College. She hopes to continue to help and serve others, obtain her ASN in Nursing, and, eventually, gain her Master’s degree and become a Nurse Practitioner.
Zulay Lopez, an LPN at Hialeah Shores Nursing Home, is attending Active Health Institute to become an RN. She is determined to increase her knowledge of patient care and expand her skill set to support her residents.
Career Climb Scholarship Recipients
Stephanie Muscati, an Assistant Business Office Manager at Life Care Center of Sarasota, attends State College of Florida and is working to achieve a degree in Health Services Administration. She wishes to become a Nursing Home Administrator and, ultimately, a Director of Operations in a multi-facility organization.
Vonda McCoy, an Activities Director at Whispering Oaks Health and Rehabilitation in Tampa, is currently working toward her Activity Director Certification Services. She wishes to return to school and become more educated in her field. Her long-term goal is to be a member of the NCCAP, a national, non-profit, independent standards and certification body recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for quality of life, activities, and engagement certification across all care settings.
Lisa Garrett, a Social Services Director at Fletcher Health & Rehabilitation Center in Tampa, is enrolled at the University of South Florida and is studying Biomedical Sciences. She hopes to apply for medical school and become a physician in a long-term care center.
Stephanie DeGregorio, a Human Resources Assistant at Samantha Wilson Care Center in St. Augustine, is currently studying Human Resources Management at Southern New Hampshire University. She believes that earning this degree will benefit her in her chosen career path of human resources in the health care sector.
These scholarships are awarded to FHCA member center employees through the Florida Health Care Education and Development Foundation, the 503c3 organization of the Florida Health Care Association. The next deadline to apply for both the Career Climb and the Bruce Taylor Scholarships is April 30, 2020. Click here to learn more about the Foundation and how to apply.