During the Franciscan Health Auxiliary’s annual membership meeting, Auxiliary member Joyce Dost announced Carrie DeStefano, Schanna Lawinger, Kenosha Payne and Kyla Simmons as the recipients of the Franciscan Health Auxiliary Lafayette scholarships.
Established in 1968, funding for the scholarship came from the Washburn Health Careers Fund, which was created in honor of Mary B. Washburn, a long-time volunteer of the Lafayette Auxiliary, as well as other sources and activities. To qualify for the scholarship, one must be a student at the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing, within one calendar year of graduation, have a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need. Funding from the scholarship comes from a variety of activities and sales sponsored by the Auxiliary, as well as donations from Auxiliary members and the community.
DeStefano is from Sheridan, Ind. She is currently pursuing a bachelor of science degree in nursing with an expected graduation date of July 2018. Her ideal job after graduation would be to work in an Intensive Care Unit or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. DeStefano was inspired to become a nurse after a hospital stay as a child. She received exceptional care and knew she too wanted to take care of others.
Lawinger is originally from Sauk Center, Minn. She is currently pursuing a bachelor of science degree in nursing with an expected graduation date of Summer 2018. Upon graduation, Lawinger hopes to work in the Emergency Department or Acute Psych Unit, but her goal is to one day be a flight nurse on a medical transport team.
Payne is from Chicago, Ill. She is currently pursuing a bachelor of science degree in nursing. Her expected graduation date is July 2018. She would like to work in the Emergency Room, Intensive Care Unit or a Critical Care Unit. Payne has two children, a boy and a girl. She has several family members who have worked in the medical field. After working as a nursing assistant for five years she knew she wanted to pursue a degree in nursing.
Simmons is originally from Rensselaer, Ind. She is currently pursuing her bachelor of science in nursing degree with an expected graduation date of May 2018. Simmons would like to work in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and eventually go on to become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. She is married and has five children ranging in age from two to nine years old. She enjoys volunteering at her church and at youth events.
St. Elizabeth School of Nursing offers a diploma – bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) cooperative nursing program in collaboration with the University of Saint Francis, with a curriculum that prepares graduates to become eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN).
After passing the national licensing examination, St. Elizabeth School of Nursing graduates may practice as registered nurses.
For more information about the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing, please call (765) 423-6400 or visit StESoN.org.
