Silver Cross Awards Nearly $74,000 in Scholarships to Hospital Employees, Children

The Silver Cross Foundation and Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission recently awarded nearly $74,000 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. 

“It pleases me to say that this is the first time that Silver Cross has the financial resources to award this many educational scholarships to this many deserving individuals,” said Craig Lyons, Vice Chairman of the Silver Cross Foundation Board of Directors. “We are extremely grateful to our loyal and generous benefactors who strongly believe in Silver Cross Hospital’s mission and vision and who are making it possible to offer these scholarships.”  

Award recipients for the 2021-2022 academic year include: 

$500 Blanca Garcia Nursing Scholarship

This new scholarship is named after Blanca Garcia and funded by her husband, Jose Garcia, who is a Volunteer in Pavilion A/B at Silver Cross Hospital. It will be awarded annually to a child of a Silver Cross employee who is enrolled in a Nursing program.

• Abigael Turija (Joliet) – Daughter of Joanne Tuija, registered nurse at Silver Cross Hospital. Abigael will be attending University of St. Francis. 

$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.

• Andrea Larson (Manhattan) – Registered Nurse in the Birthing Center pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Purdue University Northwest

• Cathy Latsis (Chicago Ridge) – Respiratory Therapist pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Saint Xavier University

$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.

• Calie Banting (Plainfield) – Certified Nursing Assistant on the Brown Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from University of St. Francis
• Annette Barrios (Matteson) – Medical Assistant with Silver Cross Medical Group pursuing an Associates degree in Nursing from Rasmussen College
• Migle Petrauskaite (Plainfield) – Administrative Coordinator with Quality Resource Management pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Healthcare Management from Lewis University 

$3,000 Dr. Walid A. Hindo Memorial X-Ray Scholarship

This new scholarship is funded by Dr. Joe Hindo and named after his late brother, Dr. Walid Hindo, who was a distinguished radiologist and professor at Chicago Medical School – now Rosalind Franklin University. It will be awarded annually to a Silver Cross employee or child of an employee pursuing a career in the field of Diagnostic Imaging or seeking advanced certification in Sonography, Medical Imaging and Nuclear Medicine. This year, Silver Cross was able to award four scholarships.

• Haley Deering (Tinley Park) – Daughter of Jackie Deering, Interventional Radiology Scheduler. Haley will be pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography degree from Indiana University Northwest.
• Lydia Mutz (Lockport) – Daughter of Lisa Bright, Occupational Health Account Executive. Lydia will be pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography degree from Grand Valley State University.
• Amber Purkart (Joliet) – Registration Representative in Guest Services pursuing an Associate in Radiologic Technology degree from Joliet Junior College
• Heidie Senko (New Lenox) – Nutrition Services Aide pursuing an Echocardiography AAS degree from South Suburban College

 $1,000 Janet Fagan Nursing Scholarship

This new scholarship is funded by Frank Fagan and named after his late wife Janet, who was a nurse at Silver Cross Hospital for 37 years. This scholarship will be awarded annually to a Silver Cross employee who is pursuing a nursing degree or continuing their nursing education.

• Sarah Hayes (Mokena) – Patient Transporter pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Indianapolis University
• Kathryn Lowe (Minooka) – Interventional Lab Manager pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing Education degree from Eastern New Mexico University 

$1,000 Leroy & Barb Steffes Scholarship

This new scholarship is funded by Barb and Leroy Steffes and awarded to a Silver Cross volunteer interested in working in the healthcare field. Barb is a volunteer in her own right as a member and Past President of Childerguild.

• Lauren Hernandez (Orland Park) – Volunteer Greeter in Pavilion A/B and Procedural Care Unit pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology (Pre-Med) degree from University of St. Francis 

$1,000 Oncology Scholarship

This new scholarship is funded by the wife of a former cancer patient who was so grateful for the care he received at Silver Cross Hospital. This scholarship will be awarded to help Silver Cross oncology caregivers achieve their life goal and hopefully help wipe out cancer in the future.

• Ariel Barnes (Joliet) – Certified Pharmacy Technician pursuing an Associate in Nursing degree from Joliet Junior College
• Jan Cirelli (Mokena) – Certified Nurse Assistant in Oncology Unit pursuing an Associate in Nursing degree from Joliet Junior College
• Katie Juarez (Joliet) – Oncology Clinical Educator pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Western Governors University
• Taylor Sullivan (Joliet) – Certified Nurse Assistant in Oncology Unit pursuing an Associate in Nursing degree from Joliet Junior College
• Genevieve Trabado (Mokena) – Registered Nurse in the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from University of Phoenix 

$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.

• Jana Anderson (Joliet) – Telecommunications Operator pursuing a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University

• Tracy Bisping (Joliet) – Application Analyst in Information Technology pursuing an Interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science degree with a minor in Business Management from Lewis University
• Gabriela Martinez (Joliet) – Unit Clerk and Certified Nursing Assistant on the Medical/Surgical Unit pursuing an Associate in Nursing degree from Rasmussen College
• Sharon Zobel (Frankfort) – Director of the Medical/Surgical Unit pursuing a Master of Science degree in Healthcare Administration from Rasmussen College 

$5,000 Peggy Gricus Nursing Scholarship

The Silver Cross Medical Staff and Foundation created this new scholarship to honor retired Chief Nursing Officer Peggy Gricus. The scholarship will be given annually to an employee accepted into a RN or BSN program.

• Asherah Dean-Florante (Joliet) – Clinical Supervisor of the 6:3 and 6:4 Patient Care Units pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from University of St. Francis 

$2,000 Physician Legacy Scholarship—Employee

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.

• Ericka Marek (Lockport) – Registered Nurse with Premier Suburban Medical Group pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing—Family Nurse Practitioner degree from Lewis University
• Christie Maramba (Oak Forest) – Application Analyst in Information Systems pursuing Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management degree from Rasmussen College 

$2,000 Physicians Legacy Scholarship – Children of Employees

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 three children of Silver Cross employees who are pursuing a healthcare degree.

• Ellie Butusov (Joliet) – Son of Spring Butusov, Financial Charity Coordinator in Patient Accounts. Ellie is attending University of St. Francis to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
• Nathan Fritz (New Lenox) – Son of Mandy Sak, Benefit Specialist in Human Resources. Nathan is attending the University of Iowa to study Speech and Hearing Science in hope of becoming an audiologist.
• Tyler Dean Rothbart (Joliet) – Son of Matt Rothbart, Building Services. Tyler is pursuing a Nursing degree from the University of Missouri and hopes to become an orthopedic surgeon. 

$2,500 Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission ScholarsTyhips

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 (Joliet) – Registered Nurse on the 6:1 and 6:2 Patient Care Units enrolled in Lewis University’s Nurse Practitioner program
• MeMayra Quezada (Lockport) – Registered Nurse in Inpatient Rehabilitation pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership degree from Chamberlain College of Nursing
• Isaiah Snapp (Lockport) – Certified Nurse Assistant on the 5:1 and 5:2 Patient Care Units pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership degree from Chamberlain College of Nursing

Silver Cross Medical Staff RN to BSN and Nursing Certification Scholarships

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 $2,000.

• Beth Anderson (Oak Forest) – Case Manager pursuing a BSN from Chamberlain University
• Amanda Conley (Joliet) – RN from the 4:4 Patient Care Unit pursuing a BSN from Western Governors University
• Kathryn DeCero (Frankfort) – RN on the 4:4 Patient Care Unit pursuing a BSN from Western Governors University
• Mariee Martinez (Orland Hills) – RN in Surgery Pre and Post Recovery pursuing a BSN from Governors State University
• Anthony Mercado (Romeoville) – RN in Acute Dialysis pursuing a BSN from Rasmussen University
• Emily Rappe (Plainfield) – RN in the Intensive Care Unit pursuing a BSN from Purdue University Northwest
• Savanna Rusch (New Lenox) – RN on the 6:1 Patient Care Unit pursuing a BSN from Purdue University Northwest
• Lisa Sikorski (New Lenox) – RN on the 5:1, 5:2 and 5:3 Patient Care Units pursuing a BSN from Aspen University
• Tara Sparks (Minooka) – RN on the 4:4 Patient Care Unit pursuing a BSN from Western Governors University
• Lisa Tuley (Minooka) – RN with Nursing Administration pursuing a BSN from Purdue University Northwest
• Jillian Ardaugh (Mokena) – Educator with Nursing Administration received $489 for medical surgical certification
• Katie Skala (New Lenox) – WOCN with Home Health and Wound Center received $1,415 for wound ostomy and continence recertification 

$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.

• Meghan Milnes (Plainfield) – Registered Nurse on the 6:1 Patient Care Unit pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing degree 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.