2008 Scholarships and Awards

Human Resources Development Seay Education Scholarship
To encourage nurses to continue their education, Carilion administers the Human Resources Development Seay Education Scholarship. Recipients receive $2,000 to apply to educational expenses.

Funding for the scholarship was donated by James Seay to honor the memory of his wife, Carrie Seay, R.N. Before Carrie's death in January 2001, she worked for Carilion as an Education Consultant in Human Resources. She kept her clinical skills current by working during peak census and teaching joint school for orthopaedic patients. She supported our mission by providing an opportunity for employees to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to provide quality patient care.

This year's recipient is Nneka Okoye. Nneka attends JCHS in the B.S.N. program and works as a nursing assistant at CNRV. She is the president of the JCHS Student Nurses' Association, chair of the JCHS Student Senate Committee and a student representative for the college planning committee. Nneka has received the JCHS Student Leader Recognition Award. She volunteers at the Bradley Free Clinic, is a member of "Hands of Healing" Community Service Organization and was chosen to go to Honduras to be part of a medical mission team.

JoAnn Brinkman Nursing Scholarship
The JoAnn Brinkman Nursing Scholarship has been established in memory of JoAnn Brinkman, an inspirational nurse and member of the Med-Surg ICU, who lost her life to inflammatory breast cancer in 2007.

A monetary award of $1,000 will be awarded to a nursing student for tuition assistance, books or any other school-related expenses.

Students who come from a single-parent household or are single parents are eligible for this scholarship. They must be enrolled or in the process of enrolling in a nursing degree program. Other criteria, such as GPA and extracurricular activities, are also considered in the selection of applicants. Both employees and members of the community are eligible for awards.

The recipient is Ann Michelle Delby. She is currently an R.N.- B.S.N. student at JCHS and works as an R.N. on 12 West Med/Surg at CRMH. She is involved with the French Honor Society, National Honor Society and is yearbook editor.

Thomas L. Robertson Honorary Nursing Education Awards
The TLR Honorary Nursing Award was named for Thomas L. Robertson, who was with Carilion for 32 years — 15 of those as president/CEO — before retiring in 2001. Monetary awards are given to individuals in professional nursing education programs leading to licensure as registered nurses or to registered nurses pursuing baccalaureate or master's degrees in nursing. Both employees and members of the community are eligible for awards.

The award is designed to promote interest in nursing as a profession, promote diversity in nursing, develop the nursing workforce and support nursing education. Scholarship award amounts vary up to $3,000 per year.

The 2008 TLR Honorary Nursing Award high school recipients are:

Jhasmine Hall: Jhasmine is a senior at Colonial Forge High School in Stafford, Va. and will be attending Virginia Commonwealth University's B.S.N. program this fall. She has been involved with cross country, track, the Kiwanis Key Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Environmental Club. Jhasmine also is a member of the National Honor Society. She volunteers with the Thurman Brisbane Shelter and is the co chair for Real Life Community Church's hospitality and food distribution committees and the angel tree project.

Mary Huff: Mary is a senior at Franklin County High School and plans to attend Liberty University's B.S.N. program this fall. Mary is involved with soccer, National Honor Society, her youth group and the Franklin County rescue squad.

Catherine Jones: Catherine will graduate from Lord Botetourt High School in June and will enroll in the B.S.N. program at the University of Virginia this fall. She has been a member, section leader and president in the marching band, executive president of the Student Council Association, junior vice president and sophomore vice president and a member of the Drama Club. Catherine has been involved with Trick or Treat for UNICEF, various youth group activities and mission work. She also volunteered at a senior care center and with Festival in the Park.

Sasha Waites: Sasha is a senior at Berkeley High School in Moncks Corner, S.C. and plans to attend JCHS in the fall 2008 semester. Sasha is a member of the marching band, concert band, chorus and student government.

The 2008 TLR Honorary Nursing Award college recipients are:

Sarah Brannen: Sarah works as a sales associate at Old Navy and is enrolled in the B.S.N. program at Liberty University. She is involved with her church youth group, volleyball and chess club.

Michael Comer: Michael works as an L.P.N. in the Emergency Department at CGMH and is enrolled in the B.S.N. program at Mountain State University. He is a deacon in his church, serves as the men's ministry leader and assists with the youth group. Michael has also been involved with Heaven Sent ministries. He has volunteered for Relay for Life and the United Way.

Ellen Harvey: Ellen is employed as a trauma nurse specialist at CRMH and is pursuing a post-masters certificate from Radford University. She is involved with the K9 Search and Rescue Dog Team, Girl Scouts, College Lutheran Parish Health Ministry and Society of Critical Care Medicine. Ellen was named Carilion Nurse of the Year in 2000 and received the AACN Circle of Excellence Team Patient Safety Award in 2007.

Krystal Mays: Krystal is employed as a certified nursing assistant at CSJH and is pursuing her B.S.N. from Liberty University. She is involved with her church and is a member of Phi Kappa Gamma. Krystal volunteers at a homeless shelter and has been involved with mission trips.

Maria Saric: Maria works as an R.N. at BMH and is attending Liberty University in the B.S.N. program. She volunteered to help clean up Claytor Lake and is involved with her church activities.

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