Silver Cross Foundation Awards $70,000 Scholarships to Hospital Employees, Children of Employees

The Silver Cross Foundation recently awarded more than $70,000 in scholarships to 45 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 Craig Lyons, Chairman of the Silver Cross Foundation Board of Directors. “Without their generous support year after year, Silver Cross would not be the outstanding organization it is today. Their financial commitment helps our employees to follow their dreams while affording them the opportunity to learn new skills, advance in their careers, and ultimately provide our patients and community with an unrivaled healthcare experience.”

Award recipients for the 2022-2023 academic year include:

$500 Blanca Garcia Nursing Scholarship – Child of Employee

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

• Darby Sullivan – Daughter of Amy Owens, Director of Finance and Physical Operations for Silver Cross Hospital. Darby is attending Western Illinois University to earn a nursing degree.

$500 Two Sweet Kids – Child of Employee

A new scholarship this year was created by Susan Sweet and her family. The annual award is for a child of a Silver Cross employee pursuing a hospital-related healthcare professional curriculum. The scholarships are in remembrance of her daughter Rachel who passed away from cystic fibrosis.

• Jonathan Mangan – Son of Diane Mangan, Diabetes Nurse Clinician with the Silver Cross Diabetes Center. Jonathan is pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice – Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist at DePaul University/Northshore School of Anesthesia
• Anne-Isabelle Reme – Daughter of Ketline Cyril, Cytology Supervisor at Silver Cross Hospital. Anne-Isabelle is pursuing a Doctor of Medicine at Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin 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.

• Mohammed Baghdadi – Pharmacy Technician pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy at Midwestern University
• Amanda Cosco – Financial Analyst pursuing a master’s degree in Business Administration in Healthcare Informatics and Project Management at Lewis University
• Madeleine Jadron – Transporter pursuing a master’s Entry to Nursing Practice degree at DePaul University

$1,000 Janet Fagan Nursing Scholarships

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

• Brooklynn Hayes – Registered Nurse with Silver Cross Hospital pursuing a Master of Science degree in Nursing at University of Phoenix
• Meghan Milnes – Clinical Educator in Nursing Administration pursuing a master’s degree in Nursing Education at Western Governors University

$1,000 Dr. Walid A. Hindo Memorial X-Ray Scholarships

This 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 is 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.

• Bikram Sahdev – Manager of Imaging pursuing a Master of Healthcare Administration degree with a Quality Improvement in Healthcare Certification at University of St. Francis
• Stephanie Shields – Mammographer at the Silver Cross Center for Women’s Health pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences at Northern Illinois University
• Jennifer Stevenson – X-Ray Technologist pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Management

$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 their education.

• Mitchell Hayworth – Certified Nursing Assistant pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at University of St. Francis

$1,000 Leroy & Barb Steffes Scholarship

This 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.

• Ariana Borda – Volunteer Greeter at the Front Desk pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at the University of Pennsylvania

$1,500 Sahibzada Farhan Latif Memorial Scholarship

This new scholarship is funded by Dr. Maria Latif in memory of her late husband who passed away after a long stay in the Silver Cross Cardiovascular Unit. She was so impressed with the staff, that she wanted to do something to recognize their skills and help further their education.

• Hannah Malekow – Registered Nurse in the Cardiovascular Unit pursuing a master’s degree in Nursing Education at Purdue 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.

• Molly Gunning – Radiation Therapist with the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross pursuing a master’s degree in Health Administration at University of St. Francis
• Lynae Mauk – Certified Nursing Assistant pursuing an Associate Degree in Nursing at Joliet Junior College
• Mayra Patino – Certified Nursing Assistant and OB Technician pursuing an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Nursing at Joliet Junior College
• Mariana Stanly – Certified Nursing Assistant pursuing a Nursing degree from Joliet Junior College

$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.

• Kari Ehlers – Clinical Assistant Manager pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in Healthcare Management at Western Governors University
• Princessa Gonzalez – Lab Assistant pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences with specialization in Biomedical Science at Arizona State University
• Mary Pierson – Clinical Supervisor pursuing a Master of Science degree in Nursing Education from Aspen University
• Genevieve Thompson – Shift Coordinator in the Amy, Matthew & Jay Vana Neonatal Intensive Care Unit pursuing a Master of Science degree in Nursing Executive at Purdue University

$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 is given annually to an employee accepted into a RN or BSN program.

• Amanda Conley – RN Clinical Supervisor for the Cardiac Medical Floors is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at Western Governors University

$1,000 - $2,000 Physician’s Legacy Scholarships

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.

• Cecilia Arroyo – Certified Nursing Assistant pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at Rasmussen University
• Sarah Bult – Certified Nursing Assistant pursing an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing at Rasmussen University
• JeriLyn Favero – Certified Nursing Assistant in Observation Unit pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at Chamberlain University
• Bryanna Jeszke – Registered Nurse pursuing a master’s degree in Health Administration at Rush University
• Kathryn Lowe – Manager in the Procedural Care Unit pursuing a Master of Science degree in Nursing Education from Eastern New Mexico University
• Heather McTighe – EOB Reviewer in Patient Accounts pursuing an Associates in Arts degree with a specialization in Psychology at Joliet Junior College
• Jasmine Stinyard – Medical Assistant in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics pursing an Associate of Applied Science degree for Professional Nursing at Rasmussen University
• Maddison Sutter – Internal Medicine & Pediatrics Certified Nursing Assistant pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree for Professional Nursing at Olivet Nazarene University
• Brigitte Tatgenhorst – Medical Assistant in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree for Professional Nursing at Rasmussen University
• Jaime Vigil – Certified Nursing Assistant pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at Chamberlain University

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

• Karli Ann Puleo – Daughter of Kelli Puleo, Clinical Supervisor of the Medical-Oncology Department. Karli Ann is attending the University of St. Francis to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing
• Kelly Robbins – Daughter of Debra Robbins, Director of the Marketing and Communications Department. Kelly is attending University of Illinois – Chicago to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Psychology
• Abigail Schmitt – Daughter of Bernadette Schmitt, Office Coordinator for Silver Cross Urgent Care - Mokena. Abigail is attending the University of Tennessee in pursuit of a degree in Biological Sciences with a pre-med track
• Rebecca Siegel - Daughter of Melissa Siegel, Registered Nurse with Silver Cross Hospital. Rebecca will attend Belmont University to pursue a Bachelor of Music degree with a specialization in Music Therapy

$2,000 Hindo-Courey Family Scholarship – Child of Employee

The Hindo-Courey Family Scholarship, sponsored by Dr. Joe Hindo, is a new scholarship which will be awarded annually to the child of a Silver Cross Environmental Services or Nutrition Services employee pursing a hospital-related healthcare professional curriculum.

• Ashely Guerrero – Daughter of Angelica Mendez, Aide in Nutrition Services. Ashley is attending University of St. Francis in pursuit of a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing

Silver Cross Medical Staff RN to BSN

The Silver Cross Medical Staff sponsors this scholarship to assist registered nurses (RN) to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN). Each RN to BSN scholarship recipient received $2,000.

• Beth Anderson – RN Case Manager in the Case Management Department pursuing a BSN at Chamberlain University
• Danielle Newell – Cardiovascular Unit RN pursuing her BSN at Western Governors University
• Stephanie Sandoval – Post Surgical RN pursuing a BSN at Rasmussen University
• Lisa Tuley – CRP in the Nursing Administration Department pursuing a BSN degree from Purdue University Northwest

Specialty Certification in Nursing Scholarship

Multiple scholarships are awarded to obtain or renew specialized nursing certifications.

• Kimberly Holtz – Infection Preventionist in the Quality Resource Management Department is studying to become a Certified Professional in Patient Safety
• Erin Weiss – Director of Observation & Pediatrics pursuing a Nurse Executive Certification through ANA Enterprise

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

View 2022 Scholarship Luncheon photos.