Scholarship
About Scholarship
WAMMC has a long history of supporting quality nursing at Morristown Medical Center. Early on, the Association helped staff the hospital with nurses and assisted with their housing and uniforms. In 1957, this interest evolved into a formal Scholarship Program, funded entirely by private donations. At that time, one scholarship of $500 would pay tuition costs for the entire three-year program.
Since its inception, the Scholarship Program has supported the staff at Morristown Medical Center by awarding scholarships to qualified hospital employees involved indirect patient care and pursuing careers in the health care field.
As tuition costs rose and recipient financial needs increased, generous donations made annually by WAMMC members, continued to underwrite the program. However, the early 1990s brought an economic downturn, which slowed the brisk pace of donations to the Scholarship Program and necessitated a new approach to ensure the program's future.
A Scholarship Trust Fund was established in 1995, with all scholarship contributions directly benefiting the fund. Presently, the Scholarship Committee spends only the interest generated annually by the fund. In this way, the invested principal remains intact, securing both the fund’s future and the Scholarship Program's mission. Additional annual funds are supported by the operating budget of WAMMC.
Since 1995, the steady growth of the fund has allowed WAMMC to increase both the number of scholarships offered and the amount of funding awarded. For example, since 2007 WAMMC increased the amount awarded from $10,000 to $50,000 in 2020. WAMMC largely attributes the steady growth of this program to the hard work of successful fundraising and the generous donations of WAMMC members.
2022 Scholarship Profiles
ERIN BERGER
Erin Berger, RN, works in the Rapid Treatment Unit on Franklin D. She is described by her supervisor, Nicole Brogan, as hardworking, focused, and demonstrates leadership skills. This is seen in her accomplishments this past year, such as becoming Med/Surg certified, volunteering as an EMT, and being nominated for a DAISY Award, an international recognition program that honors and celebrates the skillful, compassionate care nurses provide every day.
Erin participates in hospital-wide and unit-based committees, such as serving as a Medical Ambassador, participating in the Geriatric Nurse Committee, PACT (Professional Advancement Clinical Program), and Weight-based Medication Report Validation Group. She is also a member of the American Nurses Association, where she learns different ways to improve patient care through monthly podcasts.
Erin is attending Capella University, studying for her MSN in Leadership Administration. She plans to use this degree at MMC to meet the needs of a rapidly growing complex health care system through enhancing outcomes and quality for staff and patients. The Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center is proud to support Erin as she completes her educational journey.
WAMMC AWARDS 14 SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2022
Each year WAMMC Scholarships are awarded to outstanding Morristown Medical Center employees to help further their continued education, development and leadership skills in the hospital and healthcare field. In 2022 our Scholarship Awards Committee awarded $26,000 in scholarships to a total of 13 employees. In addition, our Chatham Twig awarded a scholarship for a total of 14 employees receiving scholarship support.
We are grateful to all of our donors for their generous contributions to this program, enabling us to continue our Scholarship Program to assist hospital employees in attaining their advanced healthcare-related educations, which is critical to providing expert care for our patients.
Congratulations to all of the WAMMC 2022 Scholarship Awards Program recipients listed below.
Erin Berger, Registered Nurse, Franklin D - Rapid Treatment Unit
Nicole Brogan, Assistant Nurse Manager, Franklin D - Rapid Treatment Unit
Colleen Connor, Assistant Nurse Manager, Deskovick 4
Kelly D’Aries, Registered Nurse, Gagnon 3
Brittney Daley, Nurse Manager, Kahn 5/Gagnon 3
Toby Duff, Registered Nurse, Kahn 5
Lisa Edwards, Registered Nurse, Gagnon A
Taylor Hart, Registered Nurse, CVICU/CPACU
Lauren Larkin, Nurse Educator, Wound Healing Center
Ashley Mariconda, Nurse Educator, PICU-Goryeb
Stephanie Marquez, Nurse Educator, Gagnon 5
Melissa Marrero, Assistant Nurse Manager, Wound Healing Center
Jennifer Rowe, Registered Nurse, Gagnon D
Ashley Zaremba, Assistant Nurse Manager, Deskovick 4
Scholarship Application
What are we looking for? The committee is in search of MMC employees with a proven employment record. Candidates typically possess high-ranking employee evaluations and are often described as, "Among the best in the department.” The candidates are often leaders in their field as members of honorary societies, as hospital committee chairs, or as participants in department studies. It is not unusual for our scholars to be as actively engaged in their local community, as they are in the workplace.
For further information, please send email to wammcscholar@gmail.com
