Twenty O’Bleness Hospital associates receive scholarships during Nurses Week

As part of its celebration of National Nurses Week, OhioHealth O'Bleness Hospital announced the awarding of scholarships to 20 nurses and healthcare workers. The scholarships, totaling $20,775, were announced at the hospital's annual Nurses Week breakfast on May 7.

 Scholarship awards provide financial support for O’Bleness’ nurses and healthcare workers pursuing higher education.

2024 scholarship recipients include: Daniel Alemayehu, Chelsey Bennett, Kelsey Casto, Rachel Cooper, Cierrah Crego, Patricia Dennis, Meghan Fout, Stacie Holbert, Brittany Jarvis, Briana Karl, Gianni Leal, Moerike Martin, Samantha Neal-Keith, Brittany Ogg, Kelly Ohlinger, Breanna Redding, Sabrina Runyon, Gavin Schulte, Penny Scurlock and Andre Walker.

Scholarships were made possible through donations from local community organizations and businesses including Hocking Valley Bank, TS Tech Americas, the OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital Guild, the Charles G. O’Bleness Foundation, and Chix 4 a Cure. The OhioHealth Foundation also maintains an O'Bleness Hospital Nursing Excellence Fund, which is supported through donations from individual community members and OhioHealth associates.

“This scholarship is not just financial aid for me,” said Andre Walker, RN, who received a scholarship from the O’Bleness Hospital Guild. “It’s moral support that motivates me to strive for excellence in my academic journey.” Walker works in O’Bleness’ intensive care unit and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Ohio State University.

In addition to the academic scholarships, the hospital announced the recipients of three awards that honor nursing and healthcare worker excellence. Awards were presented to hospital associates Lauren Herpy, Makynna Keiffer and Stacie Holbert.

“Our nursing staff drives the quality of care our patients receive,” said O’Bleness chief nursing officer Kristin Gardner during her remarks at the awards breakfast. Addressing the group of nurses, she remarked, “You are there when babies are born, but you are also there when things aren’t so good. You hold your patients’ hands, and you walk them through their most difficult moments. I would want to receive care from each of you.”

"We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all of our scholarship and award recipients and express our deepest gratitude for the outpouring of community support for their continued growth and success," said O’Bleness president LeeAnn Lucas-Helber.

Individuals or businesses wishing to support O’Bleness Hospital nursing and healthcare worker scholarships through a charitable donation may contact Tara Gilts at Tara.Gilts@OhioHealth.com or (740) 566.4539.