Silver Cross Awards $60,000 in Scholarships to Hospital Employees/Children

The Silver Cross Foundation recently awarded $60,000 in scholarships to 44 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 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 2020-21 academic year include:

$1,000 Janet Fagan Nursing Scholarship

This new scholarship honors the memory of longtime Silver Cross Nurse Janet Fagan.

• Mitchell Hayworth – Certified Nurse Assistant on 6-4 patient care unit pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at University of St. Francis
• Mary Pierson – Clinical Supervisor on 6-4 patient care unit pursuing a Master of Science degree in Nursing with specialization in nursing education from Aspen University

$1,000 Donna and Jim Galligan Scholarship

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

• Iyonda Greer –Central Scheduling Lead studying applied science and health information coding at Rasmussen College
• Ashley Orlovich – Director of Critical Care pursuing a Master’s degree in Nursing with a focus on healthcare leadership at Lewis University
• Shelby Stern – Registered Sleep Technician in the Silver Cross Sleep Disorders Center pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in healthcare administration at  Governors State University

$1,000 Walid A. Hindo Memorial X-ray Scholarship

This new scholarship is funded by Dr. Joseph Hindo in memory of his brother who was a distinguished radiologist and professor at Chicago Medical School and awarded annually to employees pursuing a career in the field of diagnostic Imaging or seeking advanced certification in Sonography, Medical Imaging and Nuclear Medicine.

• Marissa David – Imaging Assistant pursuing an Associates MRI degree from Midwestern Career College
• Katie Heldt – Ultrasound Sonographer enrolled in the Registered Vascular Technologist Program at Midwestern Career College
• Bikram Sahdev – Nuclear Medicine/PET Supervisor pursuing specialty certification in Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

$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.

• Kathyrn Lowe – Clinical Educator pursuing a Master of Science degree in Nursing Education from New Mexico University

$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.

• Temitope  Asein – Physical Therapist/Certified Lymphedema Therapist with the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab at Silver Cross Hospital pursuing a Master’s degree in Strategic Management and Executive Leadership from Penn State University
• Kathleen Choate – RN in Women & Infant Services pursuing a Master’s of Science degree in Nursing Informatics from Western Governors 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.

• Brooklyn Hayes – RN on the 6-2 patient care unit pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Phoenix University
• Gabriela Martinez – CNA/Unit Clerk on 5-1 patient care Unit pursuing an Associate’s degree in Nursing from Rasmussen College
• Chris Paxson – Application Analyst in Information Systems working towards a Master of Business Administration degree in Data Analytics from Louisiana State University – Shreveport
• Kevin Vander Velde – Medical Staff Coordinator with Physician Services pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration on Health Care Management from Lewis University

$2,000 Physician’s Legacy Scholarship

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 Silver Cross employees pursuing a healthcare degree.

• Hilda Kina – RN in the Emergency Department pursuing a Master of Science degree in Nursing from Saint Xavier University
• Rachel O’Shea – Transporter pursuing a Master of Science degree in Social Work from Governors State University

$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.

• Sabina Kinga Kalata – daughter of Dorota Kalata, phlebotomist. Sabina is a first year student at DePaul University planning to major in Health Sciences on the pre-med track. 
• Gillian Mantia – daughter of Gina Mantia, Nutrition Services Aide.  Gillian is a student at Joliet Junior College working towards her Associates degree in Nursing.Reese Scroggins – daughter of Molly Brusca, Administrative Director for Silver Cross Medical Group.  Reese is a first year student at Illinois State University pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. 

$5,000 Peggy Gricus Nursing Scholarship

Funded by the Silver Cross Medical Staff and Silver Cross Foundation, this new scholarship honors retiring Chief Nursing Officer Peggy Gricus and is awarded over two years to an employee accepted into a RN or BSN program.

• Blanca Agron - RN on 5-1 patient care unit pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Purdue University Northwest

Silver Cross Medical Staff RN to BSN and Nursing Certification Scholarship

The Silver Cross Medical Staff has donated $22,500 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 $1,000.

• Shanon A. Allen - RN in Women & Children Services seeking certification as a Lactation Counselor
• Christine Arambasich - Labor & Delivery RN pursuing a BSN from University of Texas at Arlington
• Kristine Bobbitt - RN with Inpatient Wound Care and Silver Cross Home Health seeking foot and nail certification at Emory University
• Cassandra Burke – RN on 6-2 patient care unit enrolled at Lewis University
• Shantel Caccamo –  Clinical Supervisor on 5-2 patient care unit enrolled at Purdie University Northwest
• Adriana Calderon - RN in Endoscopy enrolled at Purdue University
• Tammi Chavez – RN on Labor and Delivery Unit pursuing a BSN from Indiana Wesleyan University
• Amber Dantzler - RN on Surgical Post-Op enrolled at Western Governor’s University
• Maria Lourdes DeOcampo – Certified Wound Ostomy Registered Nurse seeking Wound and Ostomy Care specialty re-certification
• Cheryl Dizon- Application Analyst II in Information Systems taking the ANCC Informatics Nursing Board Certification exam to obtain RN-BC credentials
• Christine Frederick – RN in the Birthing Center pursuing a BSN from at University of Texas at Arlington
• Kelly Hesser – RN in the Birthing Center pursuing a BSN from University of Texas at Arlington
• Abby Jarchow – RN in PACU to become a re-certified as a Post Anesthesia Nurse
• Roberta Kristopher - RN on 5-1 to take the orthopedic  exam for certification
• Hannah Malekow - RN in ICU enrolled at Purdue University Northwest
• Edward Mercado - RN in Post- Anesthesia Care Unit for certified post anesthesia nurse training
• Jane Mihelich - RN on 6-2 for certification as a certified medical-surgical RN
• Kristine Nieckula - Team Lead for Wound Care/Home Health for wound Ostomy Nurse recertification
• Araceli Pena - RN on 6-3 enrolled at Western Governors University
• Kerry Schaefer - Case Manager in QRM for Case Manager education
• Lisa Senercia - RN in the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center for oncology nurse re-certification and chemotherapy-immunotherapy provider card renewal
• Becky Strilko - Team Lead in Wound/Ostomy for Wound Ostomy Nurse recertification
• Ann Teruel - RN in the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center for ONS Chemotherapy/Immunotherapy Certificate Renewal Course

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