NEPA Health Care Foundation

$262,500 awarded in Year Three to support the growth and development of the nursing workforce in Northeastern Pennsylvania

SCRANTON, PA – In response to the acute shortage of nurses across the region and its effect on the health and wellness of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation announces it has awarded $262,500 in its third year towards nursing scholarships for local students as part of its Careers in Care initiative.

The Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship Program has awarded 44 scholarships to students in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming Counties, and Carbon Counties who plan to pursue or who are pursuing nursing and who will practice in Northeastern Pennsylvania. These scholarship opportunities come during a time when there have been great strains on the healthcare workforce in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

The Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship Program accepted applications and, through a rigorous and competitive application process, identified various qualified nursing students.

2023 recipients include Tiffany Ashton, Brooke Bird, Monique Barnes, Cleora Margaret Brown, Alexis Rose Bruno, Brianna Marie Burford, Jacqueline Burke, Angelica Maria Campbell, Amy Casagrande, Megan Ashley Chestnut, Izabella Grace Chmil, Markie Lynn Collum, Kristina Coy, Amanda Leanne Creighton, Monica Darjee, Ashley Ann DeFelice, Diane Jennings, Giana Francesca Good, Jennifer Jaffe, Jacob Janosky, Therese Catherine Young, Nikita Lynn Kraynak, Matthew Laboranti, Morgan Maslousky, Elizabeth McGuire, Meghan Lee McHale, Alyssa Kate Melisky, Katherine Grullon Mendoza, Karli M Muto, Kathleen Pascual, Samantha Rosselli, Vita M Roa, Tami Lee Rowlands, Autumn Olivia Steibler, Kacie Szczech, Alexis Marie Tanana, Frank Turnbaugh, Shaquayjah Iyonnah Anderson, Kathryn Gallagher, Chasity Girton, Kelly Smith, Ms Izabella Grace Chmil, Nicole O’Boyle, and Amber Zelno.

Scholarship recipients are attending a variety of schools, including Luzerne County Community College, Bloomsburg University, Lackawanna College, Penn State Scranton, Wilkes Barre Area Career & Technical Center, Marywood University, Clarion University, Misericordia University, Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County, Graceland University, and Wilkes University.

To qualify for a Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship, individuals were required to show they have had a permanent address in Lackawanna, Luzerne, or Wyoming County for the last three years. Scholarships were available to those interested in obtaining a CNA and entering the healthcare workforce. Scholarships are also for anyone employed in the healthcare field in either Lackawanna, Luzerne, or Wyoming County and looking to advance as an LPN or RN/BSN. Additionally, students were invited to apply if they were in their third or fourth year of a four-year nursing degree and looking for financial assistance. Scholarship recipients were also asked to demonstrate a commitment to stay in the Northeastern Pennsylvania region. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation also invited ‘nontraditional’ students or those looking to return to school to obtain a nursing degree to apply for a Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship.

2023 NEPA Health Care Foundation Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship recipients gather for a photo

Seated (l-r): Matthew Laboranti, Angelica Campbell, Izabella Chmil, Brianna Burford, Kathleen Pasual, and Monique Barnes; all Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation Careers in Care Scholarship recipients.

Standing (l-r): Frank Caputo, Scranton Area Community Foundation Grants and Communications Coordinator; Mary Jane DiMattio; Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship Committee Member; The Honorable Terrence Nealon, Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation Board Member; Donna Martucci, Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation Board Member; Dr. Jay Bannon, Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation Board Member; Tracy Bannon, Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship Committee Member; Michelle McGowan, Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship Committee Member; Kerry O’Grady, Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship Committee Member; Kari Machelli, Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship Committee Member; Cathy Fitzpatrick, Scranton Area Community Foundation Grants and Scholarship Manager; Tina Jones, Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship Committee Member.

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the people of the region and particularly those most vulnerable and most underserved of the population. The Scranton Area Community Foundation, a community foundation that has been serving the people of the Lackawanna County region since 1954, serves as the administrator of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation.

NEPA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION SCHOLARS RECOGNIZED

SCRANTON, PA – The 2023 Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation Scholars were honored during the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine’s annual scholarship reception on Thursday, October 12, 2023.

PHOTO: 2023 Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation Scholars honored during Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine’s annual scholarship reception on Thursday, October 12, 2023. Seated row (left to right): Alivia Roberts ‘26, Abigail Glynn ‘27, Madison Ziobro ’27. Standing (left to right): Alexis Blackburn ‘26, Kyle-Allen Kidd ‘25, Rachel Simon ‘24, James Basting ‘24, Parita Ray ’25, with Cathy Fitzpatrick, Scranton Area Community Foundation Grants & Scholarship Manager. The Scranton Area Community Foundation administers the NEPA Health Care Foundation. “Recipients of this prestigious scholarship have demonstrated a commitment to practicing medicine in Northeastern Pennsylvania and a strong history of service to the community,” stated Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, which administers the NEPA Health Care Foundation. “The financial assistance this program provides grants these scholars the freedom to stay here in the region and care for our neighbors while falling in line with the NEPA Health Care Foundation’s mission to improve the region’s health and well-being.” The NEPA Health Care Foundation is in its tenth year of a $3.2 million commitment to the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine for scholarship support for incoming first-year medical students from Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wyoming counties. The NEPA Health Care Foundation Scholars program covers full tuition for these scholars, who indicate a commitment to practice medicine in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Additionally, the NEPA Health Care Foundation has provided over $800,000 in grant support to a variety of organizations, including Lackawanna College, United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA, Children’s Service Center, The Greater Hazleton Partners in Education, Northern Tier Industry and Education Consortium, and Saint Joseph’s Center, through its Careers in Care initiative. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation’s Careers in Care initiative is a $1.7 million commitment over a three-year period (2020-2023). The Scranton Area Community Foundation administers the NEPA Health Care Foundation.

Seated row left to right: Alivia Roberts ‘26, Abigail Glynn ‘27, Madison Ziobro’27 Standing left to right: Alexis Blackburn ‘26, Kyle-Allen Kidd ‘25, Rachel Simon ‘24, James Basting ‘24, Parita Ray ’25, Cathy Fitzpatrick, Grants & Scholarship Manager Scranton Area Community Foundation, NEPA Health Care Foundation

Seated left to right: Madison Ziobro ’27, Abigail Glynn ’27, Parita Ray ’25, Kyle-Allen Kidd ’25, James Basting ’24, Alivia Roberts ’26, Rachel Simmon ‘24 Standing left to right: Kristin Richards ’23, Alexis Blackburn ’26, Donna Martucci, Board Member, Tom Tulaney, Board Member, Robert Knowles, Board Member, Dr. Jay Bannon, Board Member, Michael Cordaro, Board Member, Jim Clemente, Board Chair, Attorney Joe Burke, Board Member, The Honorable Terrence Nealon, Board Member and Laura Ducceschi, CEO, Scranton Area Community Foundation, Administrator of the NEPA Health Care Foundation

Left to right: Kristen Richards ’23, Alivia Roberts ’26, Alexis Blackburn ’26, Kyle-Allen Kidd ’25, James Basting ’24, Dr. Julie Byerley, Dean GCSOM, Rachel Simmon ’24, Parita Ray ’25, Abigail Glynn ’27, Madison Ziobro ’27

NEPA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2022 CAREERS IN CARE NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS $418,000 awarded in Year Two to support the growth and development of the nursing workforce in Northeastern Pennsylvania In response to the acute shortage of nurses across the region and its effect on the health and wellness of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation announces it has awarded $418,000 in its second year towards nursing scholarships for local students as part of its Careers in Care initiative. The Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship Program has awarded 49 scholarships to students in Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wyoming Counties who plan to pursue or who are pursuing nursing and who will practice in Northeastern Pennsylvania. These scholarship opportunities come during a time when there have been great strains on the healthcare workforce in Northeastern Pennsylvania. After significant interest in 2021, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation increased the total amount available for scholarships in 2022 from the previous year. In 2021, a total of $190,312 was awarded to 21 students. Read More

The 2018 Grant Awards Ceremony & Luncheon

The 6th Annual Grant Awards Ceremony and Luncheon was held on March 19, 2019 at the Country Club of Scranton. In attendance were the 2018 grant recipients, as well as key community leaders. During the event, a representative from each recipient organization received a formal certificate.

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The 2017 Grant Awards Ceremony & Luncheon

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation held its Annual Grant Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at Mohegan Sun Pocono in Wilkes-Barre. In attendance were the 2017 grant recipients, as well as key community leaders. During the event, a representative from each recipient organization received a formal certificate.

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The 2016 Grant Awards Ceremony & Luncheon

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation held its Annual Grant Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on March 8, 2017 at POSH in Scranton. In attendance were the 2016 grant recipients, as well as key community leaders. During the event, a representative from each recipient organization received a formal certificate.

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The 2015 Grant Awards Ceremony & Luncheon

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation held its Annual Grant Awards Ceremony and Luncheon at the Westmoreland Club in Wilkes-Barre on March 16, 2016. In attendance were the 2015 grant recipients, as well as key community leaders. During the event, a representative from each recipient organization received a formal certificate.

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The 2014 Grant Awards Ceremony & Luncheon

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation held its Annual Grant Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on March 10, 2015 at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel in Scranton. In attendance were 2014 grant recipients, as well as key community leaders. During the event, a representative from each recipient organization received a formal certificate and was able to share information about their grant-funded project and the impact of NPHCF support on the population served.

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TCMC receives $3.2 million for Scholarships

A $3.2 million grant given by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation (NEPA HCF) creates the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation Scholars program. It will award scholarships to approximately 20 students, beginning with the 2015-16 academic year. The scholarships will be awarded primarily to students from Luzerne, Lackawanna and Wyoming counties.

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The 2013 Grant Awards Ceremony & Luncheon

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation held its Annual Grant Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on Thursday, February 20 from 12 noon to 2 pm at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel in Scranton. In attendance were 2013 grant recipients, as well as key community leaders. During the event, a representative from each recipient organization received a formal certificate and was able to share information about their grant-funded project and the impact of NPHCF support on the population served. Twelve organizations received funding from NPHCF in 2013.

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