Silver Cross Foundation Awards $50,000 in Scholarships

The Silver Cross Foundation recently awarded nearly $50,000 in scholarships to 38 hospital employees and their children to help further their education and training in the 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 make Silver Cross special,” said Ruth Colby, President and CEO of Silver Cross Hospital.

“We are extremely grateful to our benevolent benefactors who strongly believe in Silver Cross Hospital’s mission and vision,” said Mark Stevens, Chairman of the Silver Cross Foundation Board of Directors. “They have seen first-hand the healing that takes place within our hospital walls and throughout the healthcare system, and they understand that, although we have a state-of-the-art campus equipped with the latest technology, it is in fact our employees that make the difference in patients’ lives.”

Award recipients for the 2018-2019 academic year include:

$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.

• Alyssa Crocket - Certified Nurse Assistant on 4-2 patient care unit, attending Joliet Junior College’s Nursing Program
• Melissa Delgado - Certified Nurse Assistant on 4-2 patient care unit, attending Joliet Junior College’s Nursing Program
• Cynthia Sporleder - Quality and Safety Lead in the Laboratory, pursuing a Master of Health Administration degree from Northern Illinois University

$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 Silver Cross nursing employees who are continuing their education.

• Rocio Gonzalez – Certified Nurse Assistant on 6-1 patient care unit, pursuing a degree as a Physician Assistant
• Kathy Valestin-Witt – Registered Nurse in Outpatient Testing, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree through Aspen University

$2,000 Childerguild Women & Children Services Scholarships
This new scholarship, which is funded by Childerguild, is awarded to Silver Cross employees who provide women and children services.

• Kaley Albrecht – Certified Nurse Assistant on the Pediatrics Unit, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Chamberlain College of Nursing

• Marci Vasiliades – Director of Diagnostic Imaging and the Center for Women’s Health, pursuing a Masters of Health Administration degree at University of St. Francis

$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.

• Jessica Campione – Physical Medicine Technician with the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab at Silver Cross, pursuing a Master of Occupational Therapy degree at Lewis University

• Misty Chouinard – Registered Nurse in the Intensive Care Unit, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Southern Illinois University
• Lois Pike – Nurse Manager on the 4-1 patient care unit, enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Chamberlain College of Nursing
• Candi Wroblewski – Director of Case Management, pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing degree with a concentration on care coordination at Capella University

$3,000 Physician’s Legacy Scholarship
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.

• Becky Vine – Registered Nurse in the Intensive Care Unit, pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing Education degree from Western Governors University
• Stephanie Wascher - Registered Nurse in the Intensive Care Unit, pursuing a Family Nurse Practitioner degree from Lewis 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 three children of Silver Cross employees who are pursuing a healthcare degree.

• Nicole Cirrencione – Daughter of Cherrie Cirrencione, Nurse Case Manager. Nikki is attending Northern University to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition, Dietetics and Wellness.
• Emily Dagys – Daughter of Jennifer Dagys, Medical Records Clerk at Silver Cross. Emily is attending Valparaiso University to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
• Zack Hayes – Son of Pam Hayes, Surgical Nurse. Zack is enrolled in the Silver Cross EMS Paramedic Program.

Silver Cross Medical Staff RN to BSN and Nursing Certification Scholarship
The Silver Cross Medical Staff has donated $20,000 to assist registered nurses (RN) earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees (BSN) or obtain or renew specialized nursing certifications. Each RN to BSN scholarship recipient received $1,190.

• Christine Arambasich - Labor & Delivery RN, pursuing a BSN from University of Texas at Arlington
• Jonah Barla – RN on 4-1 patient care unit, pursuing a BSN from Western Governors University
• Christine Carolan - RN in the Special Care Nursery, pursuing a BSN from Western Governors University
• Jessica Dietz – RN in Nursing Administration, pursuing a BSN from University of Phoenix
• Stacy Eyre – RN on 6-1 patient care unit, received $375 for Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification
• Abigail Finerty – RN on 6-3 Oncology Unit, pursuing a BSN from Western Governors University
• Christine Frederick – RN in the Birthing Center, pursuing a BSN from at University of Texas at Arlington
• Pamela Hayes – Surgical RN, pursuing a BSN from Purdue University Northwest
• Kelly Hesser – RN in the Birthing Center, pursuing a BSN from University of Texas at Arlington
• Nicole Hopman – Case Manager, received $325 for American Case Management for Hospital Management Certification
• Ann Lanka – RN on 6-3 patient care unit, received $240 for Oncology Certified Nurse Certification Renewal
• Kiely Lapaso - Intensive Care Nurse, pursuing a BSN from Western Governors University
• Kathryn Lowe – RN in the Cath/Interventional Lab, received $500 for Cardiovascular Nursing Certification
• Annette McNamara – RN on 6-3 patient care unit, pursuing a BSN from Western Governors University
• Amanda Richards – RN on 4-4 patient care unit, pursuing a BSN from Western Governors University
• Misty Richmond – RN on 4-3 patient care unit, pursuing a BSN from Governors State University
• Laura Stirn – RN with University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross, received $500 for Oncology Certified Nurse Certification
• Carly Terry – RN in the Intensive Care Unit, received $435 for Critical Care Registered Nurse Certification
• Ann Teruel - RN with University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross, received $500 for Oncology Certified Nurse Certification
• Amanda Turek – RN with University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross, received $500 for Oncology Certified Nurse Certification
• Robin Ward - Acute Dialysis RN, pursuing a BSN from University of Phoenix

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

Photo Captions:
Photo 1:
Pictured, from left, are Mark Stevens, Chairman of the Silver Cross Foundation Board of Directors; Marci Vasiliades, Director of Diagnostic Imaging and the Center for Women’s Health at Silver Cross; Childerguild President Peggy Maruszak; Kaley Albrecht, Certified Nurse Assistant on the Pediatrics Unit; and Silver Cross President and CEO Ruth Colby.

Photo 2:
Pictured, from left, are Silver Cross Chief Medical Officer Dr. Christopher Udovich; Candi Wroblewski, Director of Case Management; Rita Larson, Childerguild; Childerguild President Peggy Maruszak; Mark Stevens, Chairman of the Silver Cross Foundation Board of Directors; Lois Pike, Nurse Manager of the hospital’s 4-1 patient care unit; Misty Chouinard, R.N., Intensive Care Unit; and Silver Cross President and CEO Ruth Colby.