Key Bank Diversity Advanced and Opportunity Initiative provides funding that removes obstacles to education
CLEVELAND, OH — (November 23, 2010) — St. Vincent Charity Medical Center presented three employees with scholarships to further their education and their healthcare careers this week. 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 Medical Center following completion of their education.
This year’s scholarship recipients are Angelique Jennings, Mary Kovatch and Iaon (Joanna) Szanto. St. Vincent Charity Medical Center COO Joan Ross and Chief Nursing Officer Sharon Thomas made the presentation. Lorraine Vega, senior vice president and senior program officer for KeyBank Foundation was also in attendance, along with the department directors of each of the award recipients as well as members of the selection committee.
Angelique Jennings has been a full-time caregiver in the Sterile Processing Department at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center for the past two years. She sees nursing as a ministry and has decided to become a registered nurse. “When I was in orientation when I first started here they told me I’m not just an employee; I’m a caregiver. I’m honored to be a caregiver. This is a real blessing for me. I have three kids now and I had my first child when I was 16. I want to care for others the way I was cared for when a patient,” says Jennings. She will attend Cuyahoga Community College to pursue a degree in nursing.
Mary Kovatch has been a full-time coder at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center working in medical records for the past five years. She plans to pursue a career as a radiology technician. “This has been a tough year for my family,” said Kovatch. “My daughter has been undergoing treatment for cancer. She had her last treatment in September and thankfully her scans are all clear. We’ve seen a lot of good care in our experience and I’m so blessed to have this opportunity to get more into providing care.”
Iona (Joanna) Szanto has worked in Environmental Services since 2004. She started nursing school in her native Romania, but didn’t continue her education once she arrived in the United States in 2001. With her young son on her lap, she wept as she talked of the opportunity to pursue her nursing degree. “I love working here,” she said. “I’m going through a divorce now and I want to be a good example for my son.”
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.
“KeyBank Foundation invests in people,” said Key’s Lorraine Vega. “Thank you for taking on this objective. You’ve stepped up and I congratulate all of you and would like to stay in touch.”
This year’s selection committee received a record number of applicants and spent a great deal of time evaluating all of the applications. “We are so proud of you,” said Chief Nursing Officer Sharon Thomas. “We are committed to making you all successful. The support doesn’t end today.”
###
About St. Vincent Charity Medical Center
St. Vincent Charity Medical Center is Cleveland’s faith-based, high-quality healthcare provider. Our distinguished doctors and caregivers are devoted to treating every patient with clinical excellence and compassionate care. St. Vincent Charity Medical Center is home to the renowned Spine and Orthopedic Institute and the Center for Bariatric Surgery. Owned by the Sisters of Charity Health System, St. Vincent Charity Medical Center delivers health for the heart of Cleveland. For more information, visit www.stvincentcharity.com.