Silver Cross Awards $61,000 Scholarships to Hospital Employees/Children

The Silver Cross Foundation and Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission recently awarded $61,000 in scholarships to 41 hospital employees and their children to help further their education and training in this ever-changing world of healthcare.

“Just as we invest in new facilities, technology and programs, it is equally important that we continue to invest in our staff as they truly are what makes Silver Cross special,” said Ruth Colby, President and CEO of Silver Cross Hospital.

“We are extremely grateful to our generous benefactors who strongly believe in Silver Cross Hospital’s mission and vision,” said Mark Stevens, Chairman of the Silver Cross Foundation Board of Directors. “They have seen first-hand the healing that takes place within our hospital walls and throughout the healthcare system, and they understand that, although we have a state-of-the-art campus equipped with the latest technology, it is in fact our employees that make the difference in patients’ lives.”

Award recipients for the 2019-2020 academic year include:

$1,000 Donna and Jim Galligan Scholarship

This scholarship is funded by Donna and Jim Galligan, longtime Joliet residents and devoted supporters of Silver Cross Hospital.

• Kristin Bragg – Clinical Nurse Educator pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing degree from Western Governors University
• Cheryl Latsis – Respiratory Therapist pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Saint Xavier University
• Ashleigh Pollman - Certified Nurse Assistant studying medical billing and coding at Rasmussen College

$1,000 Twilla S. Margaron Nursing Scholarship

This scholarship is named after Twilla S. Margaron, who was a 1950 graduate of the former Silver Cross School of Nursing and an active member of the Silver Cross Advisory Board, which operates the Encore Resale Shop. This scholarship is awarded annually to a Silver Cross nursing employee who is continuing her education.

• Cheryl Cirrencione – Case Manager pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Chamberlain College of Nursing

$1,600 Silver Cross Healthy Community Scholarships

This scholarship is awarded to residents residing in zip codes 60432, 60433, 60436, and the Lockport Grade School District #89 who are pursuing a course of instruction for healthcare-related programs.

• Cassandra Burke – Registered Nurse pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Lewis University
• Megan DiCaro – Certified Nurse Assistant enrolled in Joliet Junior College’s Nursing program
• Dariana Garcia – Employee in Nutrition Services and Medical Records studying pre-med at Aurora University
• Isaiah Snapp – Certified Nurse Assistant enrolled in Joliet Junior College’s Nursing program
• Yesenia Villagomez – Patient Service Representative with Silver Cross Medical Group pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Chamberlain College of Nursing

$2,000 Childerguild Women & Children Services Scholarships

This scholarship, which is funded by Childerguild, is awarded to Silver Cross employees who provide women and children services.

• Noel Dobrowski – Registered Nurse in the Special Care Nursery pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing Education degree from Western Governors University

• Joanne Farrelly – Surgical Nurse in the Procedural Care Unit pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing degree from Olivet Nazarene University

$2,500 Paul Pawlak Scholarships

The Advisory Board, Childerguild, Will County Union of King’s Daughters and Sons, and Silver Cross Medical Staff created this scholarship to honor Paul Pawlak’s 27 years of service as Silver Cross Hospital’s President and CEO. The scholarship is given annually to four employees who are continuing their education.

• Rocio Arias – Guest Services Emergency Department Lead pursuing a Bachelor in Health Administration degree from Governors State University

• Katrina Baldys – Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing Family Practice degree from Lewis University
• Ashley Orlovich – Director of Critical Care pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing degree from Lewis University
• Sharletha Veasy – Certified Nurse Assistant pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Chamberlain College of Nursing

$2,000 Physician’s Legacy Scholarship

The Physician Legacy Scholarship, which is sponsored by the Silver Cross Medical Staff, acknowledges physicians’ legacy of service and commitment to Silver Cross Hospital and is given annually to Silver Cross employees pursuing a healthcare degree.

• Nicolette DeAngelis – Registered dietitian pursuing a Master of Human Nutrition degree from University of Alabama
• Kourtnee Fitzgerald - Registered Nurse pursuing Doctorate in Nursing Practice – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse degree from Regis College

$2,000 Physicians Legacy Scholarship – Children of Employees

The Physician Legacy Scholarship, which is sponsored by the Silver Cross Medical Staff, acknowledge physicians’ legacy of service and commitment to Silver Cross Hospital and is given annually to three children of Silver Cross employees who are pursuing a healthcare degree.

• Matthew Brueggert – Son of Amy Brueggert, registered nurse with Silver Cross Medical Group. Matthew is attending St. Louis University to pursue a Bachelor in Health Information Management degree.
• Sarah Heimberg – Daughter of Maria Heimberg, phlebotomist with Silver Cross Medical Group. Sarah is attending Lewis University to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
• Trevor Wolterink – Son of Kim Wolterink, Manager of Post-Acute Operations. Trevor is pursuing a Bachelor in Biochemistry degree from Calvin College.

Silver Cross Medical Staff RN to BSN and Nursing Certification Scholarship

The Silver Cross Medical Staff has donated $25,000 to assist registered nurses (RN) to earn their Bachelor Science Nursing degrees (BSN) or obtain or renew specialized nursing certifications. Each RN to BSN scholarship recipient received $1,500.

• Christine Arambasich - Labor & Delivery RN pursuing a BSN from University of Texas at Arlington
• Alison Barna – Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse received $800 for recertification
• Melissa Benzon—RN on the 4-4 Telemetry Unit received $270 for cardiac/vascular nursing certification
• Tammi Chavez – RN on Labor and Delivery Unit pursuing a BSN from Indiana Wesleyan University
• Misty Chouinard - RN in Intensive Care Unit pursuing a BSN from Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville
• Christine Frederick – RN in the Birthing Center pursuing a BSN from at University of Texas at Arlington
• Sheila Gray – Shift Coordinator in the Emergency Department pursuing a BSN from Ashworth College
• Kelly Hesser – RN in the Birthing Center pursuing a BSN from University of Texas at Arlington
• Keri Lilek – RN with Nursing Administration pursuing a BSN from Indiana Wesleyan University
• Annette McNamara—RN on the 6-3 Oncology Unit pursuing a BSN from Western Governors University
• Amanda Montgomery—RN on the Cardiac Unit pursuing a BSN from Western Governors University
• Cynthia Reyes—RN on 4-2 Patient Care Unit pursuing a BSN from Grand Canyon University
• Hilary Robinson— RN on 6-3 Oncology Unit pursuing a BSN from Western Governors University
• Diane Sakitjakis –RN on the LaVerne & Dorothy Brown Inpatient Rehab Unit pursuing a BSN from Lewis University
• Susan Shedor – Nurse Manager on 4-3 Patient Care Unit received $495 for ANCC Certification (Advance as a Nurse Executive)
• Kelly Sisk—RN in the Intensive Care Unit received $313 for Critical Care Registered Nurse Certification
• Sandra Stanek—RN on 6-4 Patient Care Unit pursuing a BSN from University of St. Francis
• Lisa Terrel – RN in the Intensive Care Unit received $375 for medical surgical certification
• Robin Wood – RN on Acute Dialysis Unit pursuing a BSN from University of Phoenix
• Alyssa Wood –RN on 4-1 Patient Care Unit pursuing a BSN from Western Governors University

To donate to or establish a new scholarship at Silver Cross Hospital, call the Silver Cross Foundation at (815) 300-7105.