In a nod to the challenges faced by healthcare workers over the past two years, and in a show of support for nurses in particular, the St. Tammany Health System Medical Staff on Wednesday awarded its annual spring nursing scholarships to seven STHS nurses, five more than usual.
Each scholarship is worth $2,000, boosting the value of this year’s scholarship awards to a total of $14,000, an unprecedented $10,000 increase over previous years’ awards.
“We had so many outstanding candidates. Their stories were so compelling,” STHS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Patrick Torcson said, explaining the reasoning behind expanding the field of recipients. “We felt rather than narrow it down to two, we’d open it up this semester.”
In addition to acknowledging the past work of each recipients, Dr. Torcson said the scholarships are also very much an investment in the health system’s future.
“The outstanding nursing culture is a key here at St. Tammany Health System,” he said.
The recipients received their awards Wednesday morning (April 20) in a brief ceremony in the lobby of STHS’s main hospital campus in Covington. They are:
- Alexis Blake, an LPN unit assistant in Oncology Medicine who is pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Alexis has been with St. Tammany Health System since June 2018.
- Brent Blazevich, a nursing supervisor who is pursuing a degree in executive nursing administration. Brent has been with St. Tammany Health System since August 2011.
- Caroline Brown, an LPN unit assistant in the Adult ICU who is pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Caroline has been with St. Tammany Health System since February 2021.
- Elizabeth Lott, a clinical educator who is pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing. Elizabeth has been with St. Tammany Health System since July 2006.
- Candice Magee, an LPN unit assistant in the Neuro ICU who is studying to become a registered nurse. Candice has been with St. Tammany Health System since June 2016.
- Ryan Sharpe, a registered nurse in the Pediatric Emergency Department who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Ryan has been with St. Tammany Health System since June 2021.
- Heather Toohey, an LPN unit assistant in the New Family Center who is studying to become a registered nurse. Heather has been with St. Tammany Health System since August 2020.
“I’m just so grateful to the Medical Staff for supporting our nurses,” STHS Chief Nursing Officer Kerry Milton said. “There’s always been a special relationship between the Medical Staff and our nurses, one of mutual respect, and this is another indicator of how they support us.”