Kingston, N.Y. – Dec. 1, 2015 – On Thursday, Nov. 19, the HealthAlliance Foundation presented eight employees of HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley with training scholarships. The foundation's Golden Circle reception, at The Chateau in Kingston, thanked the foundation's supporters and, for the first time, recognized HealthAlliance employees pursuing further education in their fields.
After HealthAlliance President and CEO David Scarpino gave a brief update on plans for the hospital's Broadway and Mary's Avenue campuses, foundation board Chairman Glenn Decker introduced the recipients of the foundation's new scholarships focused on healthcare-related training and education.
Beth Bagner, a nurse at the hospital's Broadway Campus Emergency Department, received the "EMA ED Nursing Star Award," a $500 scholarship sponsored by Emergency Medical Associates. Veronica "Ronnie" Dougherty, Bagner's colleague and ED nurse supervisor, explained that Bagner would use the funds toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and praised her as a department asset.
Switlana Breigle, a nurse in the Margaretville Hospital ED who was unable to attend the Golden Circle, also received an "EMA ED Nursing Star Award."
Susan DeCicco, who recently transitioned to the role of HealthAlliance diabetes educator, received the "Jeffrey Fredenberg Memorial Scholarship" for training in the field of diabetes. DeCicco will use the $500 award for membership to the American Association of Diabetes Educators and education in the fundamentals of diabetes self-management.
Rachel Bell, the hospital's chargemaster coordinator, was awarded a $500 "Fust Charles Chambers LLP Finance Scholarship." Bell will pursue a Healthcare Financial Management Association revenue cycle certification.
A second "Fust Charles Chambers LLP Finance Scholarship" was awarded to Catherine Legg, director of budget reimbursement, who was not in attendance.
Two $500 "David & Jane Lundquist Nursing Scholarships" were presented to Broadway Campus nurses. Shawn Elizabeth Gates, a general inpatient nurse, was introduced by her supervisor, 2 West Director Carol Schrowang, as a model of kindness and compassion to patients. Rebecca Konjas, an outpatient wound care nurse, was lauded by Wound Care Director Kathy Smith for her knowledge and expertise. Both Gates and Konjas will apply the scholarship toward the completion of their BSN degrees.
The final award, the "Sara Lundquist Memorial Scholarship" for study in the field of mental health, was presented to Felix Castro. Castro, a mental health technician on the Mary's Avenue Campus, will use the $1,000 grant toward an Associate of Science degree.
The scholarships are part of the Foundation's "Scholarships, Training, Awards, Recertification," or STAR, program, which assists staff with professional skills development and enhancement.
"The HealthAlliance Foundation has been working this past year to identify training and scholarship opportunities," said foundation Scholarship Committee Chairwoman Laurie Kelley. "We are thrilled to help employees, in both clinical and non-clinical disciplines, further their education and promote excellence in all aspects of patient care."
"I can think of no better way to show you, our supporters, how your contributions make a difference to healthcare in our community than by the presentation of these scholarships tonight," foundation board Treasurer and incoming board Chairman Richard Mantey said as the Golden Circle reception came to a close.
More than 140 people, including foundation sponsors, individual contributors, community leaders, and HealthAlliance staff members attended the event, sponsored by American Anesthesiology, Mobile Life Support Services, Optimus Architecture and Rose & Kiernan Inc.
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About The HealthAlliance Foundation
The HealthAlliance Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization supporting HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley's mission, healthcare programs, services and facilities. The HealthAlliance Foundation continues its development efforts for the HealthAlliance Hospital: Broadway and Mary's Avenue campuses, as well as the Woodland Pond CCRC in New Paltz. For further information about The HealthAlliance Foundation, please visit FoundationUpdate.org or contact Steffen T. Kraehmer, CFRE, Executive Director, at 845-334-2760.
About HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley®
HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley® is the alignment of HealthAlliance Hospital: Mary's Avenue Campus and Broadway Campus, as well as Margaretville Hospital, Mountainside Residential Care Center and Woodland Pond at New Paltz. As the parent organization with a unified governance structure, the goal of HealthAlliance is to strengthen the quality of care and bring forward enhanced technology to serve the present and future healthcare needs in the Hudson Valley. HealthAlliance and its affiliate facilities are committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered care and ensuring patient safety, privacy and dignity to all. For further information about HealthAlliance, visit our website at HAHV.org.