Bothwell Auxiliary awards six nursing scholarships
The Bothwell Auxiliary recently awarded six $2,500 scholarships to area nursing students. Scholarships were awarded to Lexi Anderson, Kaitlyn O’Dell, Laura Granados, Sara McLemore, Mattie Mergen and Amber Fillicetti. Five of the six recipients work at Bothwell Regional Health Center.
Anderson is a Nurse Intern in Women’s Health and Newborn Care, and O’Dell is a Certified Nurse Assistant in the Medical and Surgical Unit. Both are pursuing an associate degree in Nursing at State Fair Community College.
Granados is working on a bachelor’s degree in Nursing at University of Missouri. She is employed as a Health Care Technician in Nursing Administration.
McLemore has 20 years experience in nursing and is Registered Nurse in Women’s Health and Newborn Care. She is completing a bachelor’s degree in Nursing at Grand Canyon University.
Mergen is working toward a master’s degree in Nursing with emphasis in Family Nurse Practitioner/Acute Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner at Rockhurst University. She is a Registered Nurse in the Critical Care Unit.
Fillicetti will begin the Practical Nursing program at State Fair Community College in August. She is employed at Twin Oaks Living in Smithton.
Shirley Evans, Auxiliary scholarship committee chair, said the scholarship recipients are well qualified with strong academic performance and each of them submitted outstanding recommendations along with compelling essays explaining their commitment to nursing.
“In the past, the Auxiliary has funded one, two or three scholarships,” Evans said. “As a result of the wonderful applicant pool and successful fundraising, five scholarships were funded this year for the first time. Additionally, a generous donation from the Heckart Family Foundation funded a sixth scholarship.”
Lori Wightman, Bothwell CEO, said at the July Auxiliary board meeting that the nursing shortage is critical and expected to continue, in part because of the “silver tsunami” created by the aging baby boom generation.
“Nursing is an attractive career where graduates of a two-year Associate Degree Nursing program can earn a salary of up to $85,000 as a Registered Nurse at Bothwell,” she said. “We appreciate the volunteer-led Auxiliary’s efforts to support the hospital and encourage nurse aides, Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses to continue their education by offering scholarships.”
The Bothwell Auxiliary, composed of 84 volunteers, operates the Gift Shop on the hospital’s first floor, sponsors scrub and other sales, hosts an ice cream social and conducts other projects that raise funds to support Bothwell and fund nursing scholarships. Since 2003, the Auxiliary has awarded 54 scholarships totaling $89,475. The Scholarship Committee includes Jackie Butler, Auxiliary president, Sue Heckart, Carolyn Sperry and Evans.
For more information about becoming a member of the Bothwell Auxiliary, contact Membership Chair Sarah Lyles at 660.827.0343.
