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The VIA donates $5,000 to Beebe Healthcare to establish an annual scholarship for Beebe RNs pursuing advanced nursing education

 

In today’s world where medical breakthroughs are occurring every day, nurses caring for patients in an acute care environment must be familiar with the latest treatments, procedures and medications in their specialties so that they can provide the highest level of care. To meet this need, advanced degrees, such as bachelor’s, master’s and doctorates in nursing, and nurse practitioner designations, and credentialing programs in specialized fields such as critical care, cardiac, orthopaedics, women’s health, and cancer treatment are available for registered nurses to continually expand their knowledge and expertise.

The Village Improvement Association of Rehoboth Beach has created a new, $5,000 annual scholarship for a registered nurse (RN) at Beebe Healthcare who is pursuing advanced education through one of these recognized programs.

VIA President Rose Marie Patin, MSN, RN, flanked by VIA members Gail Shaffer, Mary Folan, Veronica Lutz, RN, Carole Suchanek, RN, and Kate McKenzie, presented a check for $5,000 to Jennifer L. Hargreaves BA, MSN, RN, NE-BC, manager of the Educational Institute (BHEI) at Beebe Healthcare; Laura Smith, MSN, RN, CNE, clinical educator at Beebe; and Judy Aliquo, CFRE, President and CEO of Beebe Medical Foundation, Beebe’s fundraising arm.

“Nurses are the backbone of every hospital,” said Rose Marie Patin. “They are always there, at the bedside, supporting the patient and the family members. They are involved in every facet of patient care. As members of the VIA, we believe it is important to support and promote our local nurses in their endeavor to expand their education so they can continue to provide excellent care. The scholarship will help allay the costs involved in obtaining their advanced degrees at the university level.”

The VIA, established in 1909, has a vision to improve and increase the intellectual culture, educational advancement and continued moral development of its members by promoting the interest, improvement and progress of Rehoboth Beach and by performing charitable and civic work in the greater Rehoboth Beach area. In 2015, its 235 members volunteered nearly 35,000 hours and donated more than $51,000 to local and national beneficiaries.

“We at Beebe Healthcare believe in empowering our nurses as we encourage them to increase their knowledge,” Jennifer Hargreaves said. “We look forward to the possibilities that this annual scholarship will offer one of our nurses as they pursue advancing their professional practice. Tuition costs can be high and this scholarship will make a tremendous difference.”

Nurses at Beebe Healthcare gain continual clinical education opportunities onsite through the organization’s Educational Institute (BHEI). Beebe provides tuition reimbursement each year for education directly related to the clinical professional’s work, though the reimbursement does not cover the entire cost of education. Beebe also recognizes six nurses each year who provide high quality care through its Nursing Excellence Award program.

“We are proud of the exceptional care that our nurses provide at Beebe Healthcare,” Judy Aliquo said. “We truly appreciate this donation in support of our nurses’ commitment to always learning, always growing to serve our patients in the extraordinary way that they do. We are honored that the VIA has chosen Beebe as a healthcare organization with which to partner so we can work together to continually improve the care that Beebe provides.”

Nurses are in the process of applying for the scholarship and the name of the nurse to receive the award will be announced later this fall.

 

Caption: Pictured here, left to right, back row: Judy Aliquo, President and CEO of Beebe Medical Foundation; Gail Shaffer; Helen Ball; Mary Folan; Veronica Lutz, RN; Carole Suchanek; and Kate McKenzie. Front row, left to right, are Jennifer Hargreaves and Laura Smith receiving the check for $5,000 from VIA President Rose Marie Patin.

Village Improvement Association (VIA) is a philanthropic organization with the objective to improve and increase the intellectual culture, educational advancement and moral development of its members; to further and promote the interests, improvements and progress of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware; and to do and perform whatever charitable and civic work at Rehoboth Beach and elsewhere as may from time to time be decided upon by our members. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.rehobothbeachvia.org/.

Beebe Medical Foundation was established in 1989 with the sole mission to raise philanthropic support for Beebe Healthcare. The Foundation is located at 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958. To learn more about how you can give, please contact the Beebe Medical Foundation at (302) 644-2900.

Beebe Healthcare is a not-for-profit community healthcare system with a charitable mission to encourage healthy living, prevent illness, and restore optimal health for the people residing, working, or visiting in the communities we serve. It offers services throughout southern Delaware for residents and visitors, including a 210-licensed-bed hospital, a cancer treatment center, and outpatient facilities providing walk-in care, lab, imaging, and physical rehabilitation services. For more information, please visit us online at www.beebehealthcare.org.