NCH Foundation awards help advance education at Northwest Community Healthcare
Northwest Community Hospital Foundation recently announced that 95 Northwest Community Healthcare (NCH) team members will be receiving a total of $160,000 in donor-funded scholarships. These funds provide opportunities for nurses, technicians, therapists and those who support them a chance to enhance their formal education, receive advanced certifications or attend seminars and conferences.
Generous patients, community members, physicians and NCH employees contribute to these scholarship programs. Providing access to continuous education converts to cutting-edge skills that are put to work in providing the best possible care for patients.
Cecilia Tancun, a nurse in Cardiopulmonary Health and Rehabilitation, is among the scholarship recipients. A dedicated NCH team member for more than 30 years, Tancun received one of the 19 Kathy Reno and John Jartz Endowed Scholarships awarded in 2023. She will use the funds to attend a conference where she will learn about the latest developments in her field.
Kathy Reno, who established the scholarship along with her husband John, was Chief Nursing Officer at NCH in the 1990s and early 2000s.
"I am very grateful," remarks Tancun. "Empowering patients and growing strong nurses is something I saw Ms. Reno actively do when she was a nursing leader at NCH. I am happy to be doing my small part to emulate the practices I saw Kathy carry out."
The scholarships are part of nearly $300,000 in educational and training initiatives made possible through donor support, giving advanced learning opportunities to hundreds of team members each year.
In addition to the Kathy Reno and John Jartz Endowment, other named scholarships include: The Dr. René and Ellen Pecson Nursing Excellence Fund; the William and Mary White Endowed Nursing Education Fund; the ADVANCE Scholarship; John M. Boler Scholars; Phyllis E. Gustafson Nursing Scholarship; the Don and Joyce Fett Scholarship; and the Physician Society Scholarship that was established by NCH physicians and also receives community contributions in celebration of Doctors' Day every spring.
"When our selection committee meets to review applications, we often hear that the amazing talent, drive, and energy of our staff is awe-inspiring; it jumps off the page of each application," says Gret Luhrs, assistant executive director at NCH Foundation.
To contribute to NCH Foundation's scholarship programs, visit nch.org/donate.
To learn about annual and endowed scholarship opportunities, contact Gret Luhrs at (847) 618-4260.