Glenbrook South grad among Auxiliary of NorthShore's 2020 nursing scholarship winners
The Auxiliary of NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) has awarded five deserving high school seniors from the North Shore area a $5,000 scholarship each toward a career in nursing through accredited nursing baccalaureate programs. The scholarship winners demonstrated exemplary leadership and academic success in their community.
"The Auxiliary of NorthShore congratulates the scholarship awardees and wishes the best in their future education and nursing careers," says Nancy Semerdjian, President of The Auxiliary of NorthShore. "When I was in nursing school, I recall vividly how important financial stability and support was early in my career. We are looking forward to watching these students grow in their profession, at such a critical time in health care."
The current nursing shortage has been strongly documented, both nationally and regionally. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has demanded more from nurses than ever before. Since NorthShore is committed to the future of health care, Auxiliary members feel that these scholarships are a well-directed effort.
The outstanding Awardees are as follows:
• Margaret Sporer from Glenbrook South High School resides in Glenview and will be attending Marquette University for nursing. Margaret works as a rehab technician at Illinois Bone and Joint Institute and volunteers as a tutor at the Onward House. Margaret received The Auxiliary of NorthShore University HealthSystem Nursing Scholarship, funded by The Auxiliary of NorthShore.
• Olivia Stevens of Loyola Academy resides in Evanston and will be attending Villanova University for nursing. Olivia volunteers at Skokie Hospital, sits on the Lurie Children's Junior Board and has been involved with the team at Kaleidoscope Dance for 13 years. Olivia is the recipient of the Nancy T. Semerdjian Nursing Scholarship, funded by The Auxiliary of NorthShore. Nancy Semerdjian is the current Auxiliary President and former Chief Nursing Officer at NorthShore.
• Fiona Werth from Highland Park High School resides in Highland Park and will be attending Illinois State University. Fiona is interested in becoming a pediatric psychiatry nurse specializing in teenagers. Fiona received the Whitehall of Deerfield Nursing Scholarship funded by Whitehall of Deerfield, through Ashley Blankstein-Delaney, Past President of The Auxiliary of NorthShore. Fiona also enjoys being a harpist at Norwood Senior Living Home.
• Olivia Headley of Lake Forest High School resides in Lake Bluff and will be attending the University of Virginia for nursing. Olivia's outstanding community contributions include volunteering at Lake Forest Hospital, volunteering at Camp Hope and serving as captain of her high school cross country team. She received the Dr. Janardan and Amita Khandekar Nursing Scholarship funded by the Khandekars. Dr. Khandekar is a NorthShore Oncologist, and Amita is a Past President, Honorary Director and Active member of The Auxiliary of NorthShore.
• Sophie Prozument of Lake Forest High School resides in Lake Bluff and will be attending University of Iowa for nursing. Sophie volunteers at Lake Forest Hospital, is captain of her varsity gymnastics team and is interested in being a pediatric nurse in a hospital setting. Sophie received the Dr. Ron and Nancy T. Semerdjian Nursing Scholarship, funded by the Semerdjians. Nancy T. Semerdjian is the current Auxiliary President and former Chief Nursing Officer at NorthShore.
The Auxiliary of NorthShore has awarded nursing scholarships every year since 2004. Overall, they have awarded a total of $168,500 in scholarships.
• About the Auxiliary of NorthShore: The Auxiliary of NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) supports the Hospitals and community of NorthShore not only through their fundraising events, but also through various service projects. Philanthropic donations of time and talent help The Auxiliary serve the community with an annual nursing scholarship, diaper drives for families in need and much more. For more information or to volunteer for any of these projects, contact auxiliary@northshore.org or call 224.364.7270.