Eight nurses at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) received funds from the SVHC Foundation in support of their continuing education efforts. The funds were provided to the Foundation by the Helen Dixon Kunzelmann Nurse Scholar Program, the Margaret M. Rehm Nurse Scholar Program, and donations for nursing education. The nurses awarded scholarships represent many hospital departments, including the Emergency Department, Endoscopy, Medical-Surgical Nursing, and Perioperative Services. They are attending a variety of institutions including Community College of Vermont, Southern New Hampshire University, and St. Joseph’s College of Maine, and others in pursuit of bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Nurses receive partial scholarships to cover the cost of tuition and related educational expenses. Scholarships are awarded in addition to the traditional tuition reimbursement benefit offered through SVHC Human Resources. A partnership with Castleton University allows practically guaranteed employment for nurse graduates and up to 100 percent tuition reimbursement for those who work a specified number of years.
As a designated Magnet Hospital for Nursing Excellence, SVMC recognizes the value of higher education among its professional nursing staff to improve patient outcomes and sustain a professional and rewarding work environment.
Helen Dixon Kunzelmann made a bequest to SVHC to further nursing excellence. Margaret M. Rehm Nurse Scholar Program was created by Carol Conroy and her siblings to honor their mother. Conroy was the chief nursing officer when she retired from SVHC in 2017 and currently serves on the health system’s Board of Trustees. Both sources of funding aim to reduce the financial challenges to nursing staff pursuing higher education.
Photo, left to right: Katharine Green, RN; Amy Weller, RN; Allison Murphy, BSN; Jaime Wiley, BSN; Alexandra Chaffin, RN; and Jill Maynard, BSN. Amanda Crossman, RN, and Turquoia Johnson, RN, are not pictured.
About:
Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) is a comprehensive, preeminent, health care system providing exceptional, convenient, and affordable care to the communities of Bennington and Windham Counties of Vermont, eastern Rensselaer and Washington Counties of New York, and northern Berkshire County in Massachusetts. SVHC includes Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center, the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation, and the SVHC Foundation. SVMC includes 25 primary and specialty care practices. For more information, visit svhealthcare.org.
Southwestern Vermont Medical Center provides exceptional care without discriminating on the basis of an individual’s age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. Language assistance services, free of charge, are available at 1-800-367-9559.