CHC Awards Two Nursing Scholarships

Due to graduate in May, two local nursing students are recipients of Carteret Health Care’s Scholarship Program. Kaleigh Tosto of Beaufort and Jamie Lawrence of Beaufort each received $800 for their final semesters at Carteret Community College.

During the January 28 CHC Board of Directors meeting, Dick Brvenik, CHC President recognized the recipients for their career choice, “Ms. Tosto and Ms. Lawrence are from Carteret County and we are pleased these bright students have chosen to remain here to serve and care for our community members.”

These scholarship opportunities were announced in the August 2018 Board of Directors meeting to target exceptional students pursuing a career in the health care field and a desire to join the Carteret Health Care team. Both Ms. Tosto and Ms. Lawrence were recognized as exceptional nursing students who will be assets in the nursing field and are eager to join the Carteret team.

Ms. Tosto stated in her application, “The team at Carteret Health Care is absolutely amazing and I hope to become a part of it and grow with it.”

“After having the chance to complete clinicals for nursing school at Carteret Health Care, I fell in love with the facility and the staff on the units. I look forward to working alongside them and to be a caring and compassionate nurse like them.”

Ms. Lawrence stated, “I was delivered at Carteret Health Care and it would be an honor to give back to my hometown hospital.”

“Growing up in Sealevel, I volunteered most afternoons assisting the residents after school. I observed the nurses during my time there and was inspired by how those nurses loved and deeply cared for the residents. Those nurses instilled a respect for healthcare within me and a burning desire to be an advocate for those underserved in my hometown.”

Promoting health care fields in education is a top priority for CHC. In addition to awarding scholarships in 2018, each of the community’s three high schools received a donation of $1,300 and five middle schools received $500 each with part of the gift designated for Health Occupation or Science classes to encourage health care tracts. The hospital also fully funds a local school health nurse and fully funds a nursing faculty position at Carteret Community College.

Cindy Jones, Vice President Patient Care Services shared, “These scholarships along with the hospital’s other donations to schools in our community are building upon the hospital’s support of vital educational programs while strengthening opportunities for students. Our goal is to increase the probability students will choose health careers and successfully live, work and make Carteret County their homes for many years.”

Additional scholarships are being developed in partnership with Carteret Community College for future students and will be announced soon. For more information, contact Human Resources at recruiter@carterethealth.org

Brvenik concludes, “Careers in nursing are rewarding, flexible and exciting. We hope by enhancing our partnership with local schools including the college, bright future healthcare workers will choose to care for our friends and families right here in Carteret County’s award winning hospital.”