Four Employees Awarded Key Diversity Scholarships

10/1/2009

CLEVELAND, OH—(October 1, 2009)—St. Vincent Charity Hospital this week presented four employees with scholarships to further their education and their healthcare careers. Funded by a generous grant from the KeyBank Foundation, the Key Bank Diversity Advancement and Opportunity Initiative established in 2008 gives employees the opportunity to pursue careers in nursing, radiology and physical therapy.

Each year, at least two hospital employees in full-time or part-time positions are selected through an internal application and nomination process. Scholarship winners are required to make a three-year commitment to St. Vincent Charity Hospital following completion of their education.

This year’s scholarship recipients are Rebecca Hatfield Butcher, Priscilla Howard, Irene Sanchez and Baljeet Sharma. St. Vincent Charity Hospital President and CEO Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA, COO Joan Ross, and Chief Nursing Officer Sharon Thomas made the presentation. Also on hand were the department directors of each of the award recipients as well as members of the selection committee.

Rebecca Hatfield Butcher has been a full-time pharmacy technician at St. Vincent Charity Hospital for the past four years. She was inspired by a nurse mentor to further her education. She will attend Cuyahoga Community College to pursue a degree in nursing. She respects the mission of St. Vincent Charity Hospital and its ability to treat all patients fairly. “I plan on treating everyone with the respect that they deserve because we are all equal in the Lord’s eyes,” says Butcher.

Priscilla Howard has been a full-time employee at St. Vincent Charity Hospital working in environmental services for the past four years. She plans to pursue a career as a radiology technician. Having been a volunteer at Mt. Sinai Hospital for two years, the healthcare field has always been a passion of hers. Passionate about the mission of St. Vincent’s, Howard strives to serve others justly with love. “I want more than anything to touch someone else’s life like God has put people around me to touch mine,” she said.

Irene Sanchez has been a medical assistant in the Health Care Center for more than five years. Having always loved the medical field, she plans to pursue a degree in nursing from Cuyahoga Community College. As the mother of two boys, she has had numerous visits to the ED, which further peaked her interest. She dropped out of high school at the age of 17, but then went on to obtain her GED. Sanchez’ oldest son has Hirschsprung’s Disease, which required two operative procedures as a newborn. “I have personally seen the empathy, care, affection and loyalty shown to each individual who walks into our hospital,” says Sanchez.

Baljeet Sharma has been employed as a patient care assistant for the past three years. With his scholarship, Sharma will pursue a degree in nursing from Cuyahoga Community College. Deeply devoted to the healthcare profession, Sharma is determined to provide high quality patient care. “As a caregiver, I serve with a deep respect for the dignity and value of all patients, my practice of quality care and my dedication to the poor and needy,” says Sharma.

The program provides educational scholarships to Cuyahoga Community College to cover the cost of the required two-year program in the chosen healthcare careers field of study, including tuition, class fees, books and supplies. In addition, the program will cover the costs of testing and certification required to obtain licensure upon completion of the program. Recipients also benefit from the reduction in work hours from 40 to 24 hours per week, which enables participants to attend classes and study without a compromise in salary or benefits.

“We want to give you every reason to be successful,” said Sharon Thomas, “so we will be assigning you mentors to help throughout the program”

“The great thing is that you are all still part of our St. Vincent Charity Hospital family,” said Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA.

Photo ID: Pictured left to right: Chief Operating Officer Joan K. Ross; Chief Nursing Officer Sharon Thomas; Key Scholars: Rebecca Hatfield Butcher, Priscilla Howard, Irene Sanchez and Baljeet Sharma; President and CEO Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA.

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About St. Vincent Charity Hospital
St. Vincent Charity Hospital is a 480-bed, full-service inpatient and outpatient health care center dedicated to its mission of providing high-quality, Catholic health care. The Hospital has served the Greater Cleveland community for more than 144 years. St. Vincent Charity Hospital is jointly owned by the Sisters of Charity Health System and University Hospitals. For more information, visit www.stvincentcharity.com
 

Contact: Wendy Hoke, Director of Communications

216.377.4350 (O)

whoke@sistersofcharityhealth.org