FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 18, 2007

THE VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION OF SOMERSET HILLS
NAMES TWO NURSING SCHOLARSHIP RECIPEINTS

BERNARDSVILLE, NJ: The Board of Trustees of the Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills has awarded the 2007 Nursing Scholarships to two high school seniors who are planning to pursue baccalaureate degrees in nursing this fall. Kelly White of Whippany, NJ and Evelyn Ortiz of Parsippany, NJ were each the recipients of $1,000 scholarships.

Ms. White, after graduating from Whippany Park High School, will be attending Ramapo College of New Jersey. During high school, Ms. White provided more than 225 volunteer hours to Morristown Memorial Hospital while maintaining a stellar GPA. Kelly spends her summers and school breaks working at the Sunnyfields Day Care where she enjoys caring for young children. She decided to become an operating room nurse after losing her father at a young age and wanting to help make a difference in the lives of people experiencing the same thing.

“During my time volunteering at Morristown Memorial Hospital, I saw first hand the real difference nurses can make in the lives of their patients and their families,” stated Kelly. “This scholarship will help me be that person in someone else’s life.”

Once Ms. Ortiz graduates from Parsippany Hills High School, she will be headed for the University of Vermont. While in high school she pursued a challenging college preparatory curriculum. In addition, Evelyn was a cheerleader, played in the Marching Band, was a peer leader and a member of the French club.

“I want to make a difference in someone’s life, and in return have them make a difference in mine by teaching me something that school cannot, and that is how to love and care for a life that is not your own,” Evelyn said.

The Gardener-Manetas Fund, which finances the VNA scholarship program, was established in 1958 and is named after two former VNA Executive Directors, Mary M. Gardener and Helen Manetas. Originally created as a tuition reimbursement fund for VNA staff nurses pursuing a baccalaureate or master’s degree in nursing or public health, the fund was expanded several years ago to include all VNA staff and the nursing scholarships. Proceeds from the bi-annual Rummage Sale are directed to this fund for these schorlarships.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The mission of the Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills and its subsidiaries is to provide individuals and families with comprehensive, high quality, cost-effective home and community health care services, regardless of ability to pay, using partnerships where appropriate. It is a charitable, tax-exempt home health agency and hospice certified by Medicare, accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP), and licensed by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. The VNA of Somerset Hills is nationally ranked in the top 5% for patient satisfaction as measured by Press Ganey, a national benchmark service. Among the services provided by the VNA are at-home skilled nursing, Telehealth, Hospice, Respite Care, Friendly Visitor Program, FARE (a caregiver education program), Palliative Care and Adult Day Services. The organization serves both Somerset and Morris Counties.

PRESS CONTACT: Marie Sperber (908) 766-0180, ext. 150

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