2024-2025 Scholarship Recipients

Full-Time Student

Jayden does not see a career path in healthcare as a choice as much as it is a calling. She was raised by her Great-grandmother who was a CNA for over 50 years, a grandmother who was a social worker, and a mother, who was also a CNA for over 17 years.  Seeing the love these women have

put into their careers, has shown Jayden the blueprint for the various avenues that healthcare can

provide.  Jayden’s calling into health care began to take shape while in high school.  She volunteered with a local Assisted Living home in the summer and on weekends.  She assisted residents who suffered from Alzheimer’s and Dementia with activities, went on social outingsand helped serve meals. This rewarding experience helped drive her passion to start a career in healthcare.  Jayden will begin a degree in social work starting in the Fall of 2024 at UNC Pembroke.

Social Work

Cheryl is currently working at PruittHealth-North Augusta in human resources.  But her goal is to obtain her LMSW with a concentration in healthcare. In social work, she has a desire to work with the elderly in a nursing home setting and be an advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. What led her down this path started at the age of twenty-two when she was diagnosed with lupus, kidney failure, and other numerous auto immune related complications. At that time, she was also raising a 2-year-old child and just trying to survive.  Over the past 2 decades she has been able to get back on her feet and is ready to move forward with her dream of pursuing social work.  Her daughter is now in her 2nd year at UGA to be a research doctor, and Cheryl is enrolled at Aurora University to begin work on her LMSW.  

LPN

Since graduating from high school in 1994, Priscilla dreamt of a career in health care but not sure what to pursue.  She decided to obtain a bachelor's degree in accounting but did not feel that was her calling. Her heart and compassion led her into becoming an emergency911 operator, which she did for the next 15 years.  But the call to be a nurse only grew.   Priscilla began workingnight shifts and went to nursing school during the day, completing her LPN certificate. But the passion for nursing only increased when she began working for PruittHealth Hospice and Palliative Care in Macon.  For the past 6 years, she has never felt such a reward for the role that she is in. She is now ready to take that next step to be an RN.  Priscilla is enrolled at Central Georgia Technical College.

Full-time Student

Kailani is a full-time student who wants to pursue a career in long-term health care.  She is driven by a deep passion to help others identify mental health disorders in order to betterunderstand how that affects their overall physical health.  Having had her own mental health struggles since the age of 12, this is a deep passion for Kailani.  She is enrolled at Salem College and will begin classes this fall.  

Pre-Nursing

Madelyn’s interest in healthcare began at a young age in the most difficult of circumstances.  She had broken her leg at the age of ten and found herself surrounded by doctors and nurses who were trying to put her back together.  While scared for her leg, Madelyn’s interest was piqued in what they were doing.  Her interest in the medical world never wavered.  When she was in high school, she began volunteering her summers to work with nurses learning everything she could about the world in which they lived and worked.  She’s now ready to begin this journey officially.  In the Fall of 2024, Madelyn will begin her degree in nursing having been accepted to Florida Gulf Coast University’s pre-nursing program. 

LPN

As a full-time LPN at PruittHealth Hospice-Valdosta, Shantya has learned that nursing is not just a job but a calling.  She sees her role as one that helps alleviate suffering but also to serve as an advocate for the well-being of her patients and a source of comfort and support during their times of vulnerability.  Her role as an LPN is simply an extension of her life at home.  As a single mother of 4, Shantya is the foundation that her family relies upon.  It’s that reliance that has fueled her desire to take the next step in her career.  Shantya is now pursuing her RN degree and is enrolled at North Florida College.  Ultimately, her goal as a registered nurse is to make a positive impact on the lives of those she cares for, while being dedicated to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in all that she achieves.

LPN-Charge Nurse

Fonkwe is a native of Cameroon who came to the United States a number of years ago.  Her entire educational background has been in health care with an emphasis in nursing.  She is currently employed at PruittHealth-Christian City where she works as an LPN-Charge Nurse.  Ultimately though she has a desire to move into healthcare administration.  Fonkwe has seen up close and personal the challenges that long-term healthcare facilities have faced since COVID.  Along with the rapid growth of the elderly population, coupled with the huge number of migrants into the United States, Fonkwe sees the need for healthcare professionals to care for this population.  She is currently enrolled in Virginia University-Lynchburg’s online program for healthcare administration.

CNA

JaNae has always dreamed of working in the healthcare industry.  It was a dreamed that was fueled by watching her mom.  JaNae’s mother, a single parent of 4 kids, served as a CNA.  JaNaewould watch her mom and the dedication she displayed in her role.  This led JaNae to begin pursuing a nursing career as well.  Following high school, she enrolled in school and began the journey.  To support herself financially during college, JaNae become a CNA like her mom and began working 2 different positions.  This only fueled her passion to continue taking those next steps.  In the Fall of 2024, JaNae will begin her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Chamberlain University.