Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center recently held its first annual memorial Nursing Scholarship Awards Ceremony. Five Good Samaritan employees currently pursuing nursing degrees were awarded scholarships in honor of five former Good Samaritan nurses. The nurses honored, who have since passed away, represent the epitome of nursing at Good Sam. Family members, friends and co-workers of honorees spoke about their lives, nursing careers and their love of the nursing profession.

Senior Vice President of Nursing Pat Hogan, RN, greeted attendees and began, "I am proud to welcome you today to honor five nurses who spent their lives giving to Good Samaritan. These outstanding women made great contributions to the nursing profession and we applaud the care, competence and compassion they displayed at each patient's bedside." Hogan then introduced Board of Trustees member William Greve who stated, "I am privileged to be here to celebrate these individuals. The Board is proud of Good S a m a r i t a n ' s nurses and we are happy to be part of the scholarship presentation to help educate these future nurses."

"Congratulations on choosing nursing as a profession," stated Kathy Dyrland, RN, Chair of the Memorial Nursing Scholarship Committee. Kathy's mother, Alice Marie O'Rourke, RN, was one of the nurses celebrated at the event. Kathy explained, "My mother is the reason I became a nurse...she inspired me." Alice worked at Good Samaritan for more than 30 years before she passed away. Angela Buonvino, RN, began as a nursing assistant, later became an LPN and eventually completed her RN. Angela's daughter, Karen, also a nurse at Good Samaritan, carries on her memory at the hospital. Lucia Oopik, RN, a Good Sam operating nurse for more than 35 years, was described as "well-rounded, well-loved and prepared for anything." C Unit nurse Ethel Isola, RN, was an employee of the Medical Center for more than 32 years. "Ethel was not only a dedicated nurse but also a busy, loving mother of four children." Kathleen Lang-Swan, RN, was employed at Good Samaritan for more than 17 years. Kathleen worked in the Emergency Room, ICU and the Recovery Room. "Kathy was caring and always went the extra mile for her patients. She was a true patient advocate," stated a former co-worker.

Funds for the scholarships were raised through a Chinese auction, donations from families of those honored as well as hospital staff and physicians. The recipients of the scholarships include Michael Baudille, a respiratory therapist, Allison Luber of Medical Records, Steve Szydziak of Housekeeping, and Linda Maibach and Marybeth Healy who are currently nursing assistants.

For information on a nursing career at Good Samaritan, visit our career website at www.healthcaresource.com/gshmc or call, 631376-4444.

Shown in the photo, back row , left to right, are Chairman of the Board of Trustees John Van Bourgondien, Kathy Dyrland, RN, Senior Vice President of Nursing Pat Hogan, RN, Board Members J. William Greve and Rev. Ronald Radford and in the front row , left to right, are Michael Baudille, Steven Szydziak, Marybeth Healy, Linda Maibach and Allison Luber.