InterAct for Change and the Deaconess Foundation have awarded scholarships totaling $59,000 to local students to support their pursuit of nursing and other health-related careers. InterAct for Change also honored two individuals with the Nursing Excellence Award for outstanding contributions to nursing in Ohio, Kentucky or Indiana.
Nursing Excellence Awards
Meg Schroeder of Madeira and Ann McCracken of Wyoming received Nursing Excellence Awards.
Schroeder was honored for her clinical practice work with the Cincinnati Health Department’s school-based health center at Taft Information Technology High School. She uses her 30 years of nursing experience to provide care to over 700 children in grades 7-12. Nurse Meg, as she’s known, sees to more than just the physical needs of her students, providing snacks, hugs and other wrap-around services. The trust Schroeder has built within the school community has allowed the school-based health center at Taft to have one of the highest consent rates in the region, meaning more students have access to health services.
McCracken has made numerous contributions to nursing practice and research during her more than 40-year career. She served on the faculty at the University of Cincinnati, where she mentored nursing students and generated more than $1.5 million in research funding for the university. McCracken was also the first Director of Research and Evaluation at Interact for Health. In that role, she created a process that allowed the foundation and its grantees to effectively evaluate projects and share successes. McCracken was also a member of the team that developed and evaluated the school-based health center model, which is used at more than 35 schools today, reaching more than 50,000 students.
A subsidiary of Interact for Health, InterAct for Change is a full-service philanthropic organization that works with individuals, families, and private foundations that have a strong desire to achieve measurable results through charitable giving and venture philanthropy. To establish a new scholarship or to learn more about InterAct for Change, click here.
“Nurses are rarely recognized for the work that they do to provide or influence nursing care delivered in the community, in schools or in hospitals,” said O’dell Moreno Owens, M.D., M.P.H., President and CEO of InterAct for Change. “Throughout their careers, Ann McCracken and Meg Schroeder have touched the lives of many, and made significant contributions to the field of nursing in our region.”
Nursing scholarships
A total of 14 students representing three local universities received nursing scholarships. Applicants were selected based on academic performance, professional aspirations, compassion in caregiving, employment background, financial need and recommendations. Students are listed with their degree program and university.
- Anna M. Drake Memorial Scholarship: Jenna Puccini of Hamilton, Ohio, bachelor of science in nursing, Xavier University.
- Ida W. Casey Memorial Scholarship: Kevin Bridewell of Melbourne, doctorate in nursing, University of Cincinnati.
- Laura Rosnagle Memorial Scholarship: Jonathan Dahl of Elsmere, bachelor of science in nursing (accelerated), Xavier University.
- Rose Hook Scholarship: Samantha Bunzel of Cold Spring, bachelor of science in nursing, Northern Kentucky University.
- Deaconess Foundation Allied Health Scholarship (two awarded): Anne Geiler of Cincinnati, dental hygiene program, University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash; and Mahogany Kincaid of Cincinnati, master of social work, University of Cincinnati.
- The Deaconess School of Nursing Alumni Scholarship: Monica Hawkins of Cincinnati, bachelor of science in nursing (accelerated), Northern Kentucky University.
- The Deaconess Foundation Nursing Scholarships (five awarded): Lindsey Fossitt of Independence, bachelor of science in nursing, Northern Kentucky University; Madison Melnick of Lebanon, Ohio, bachelor of science in nursing (accelerated), Northern Kentucky University; Taylor Spiering of Walton, bachelor of science in nursing, Northern Kentucky University; Lauren Walsh, of Liberty Township, Ohio, bachelor of science in nursing (accelerated), Xavier University; and Kayla Warpenburg of Cincinnati, bachelor of science in nursing, University of Cincinnati.
- The Deaconess Foundation Advanced Practice Nursing Scholarships (two awarded): Rewa Banks of Lima, Ohio, doctor of nursing practice, Xavier University; and Evonne Stephenson of Loveland, Ohio, family nurse practitioner, University of Cincinnati.
Deaconess Associations Inc. is a diversified, not-for-profit enterprise managing a portfolio of health services, programs and investments. The Deaconess Foundation is its philanthropic arm, and supports community grant initiatives in Greater Cincinnati. Learn more about Deaconess and the Deaconess Foundation here.
“Nurses throughout the Greater Cincinnati region work day and night to provide quality care for patients and their families,” said Tony Woods, chairman of the Deaconess Foundation. “The men and women honored with these scholarships are already or will soon be at the front lines of work to improve the health of our community. We are confident that through our support, these nursing students will have a positive impact on our community long into the future.”
For more information about the Nursing Scholarship and Excellence Awards, click here or call Francie Wolgin at 513-458-6612.
