NURSING continuation from page 6.
SCHOLARSHIP continuation from page 6.
Nursing student Raquel Salgado, said, “I think the simulation lab is awesome. It makes a student think about and prepare for what to expect when caring for a patient once we become RNs. The setting of the room is so much like the ones at a hospital.”
Through that spirit of gratitude, the Silverman Family Foundation in 1998 established the Ray Silverman Nursing Education Endowment, a fund that has helped well over 500 nursing students complete their training and has touched the lives of countless individuals.
While students engage in handson learning exercises, instructors are evaluating every aspect of their performance and assessing their practical application of skills. “We have the ability for our students to monitor their peers’ simulation exercises in real time so they can then debrief and discuss as a means of reinforcing best practices,” said Hinton. “This fosters a very collaborative learning experience.” And like the students who collaborate in the classroom, SCC works closely with fellow academic institutions and health care organizations to help meet the unique demands faced by today’s health care industry. “We have a partnership with Northern Arizona University called the Concurrent Education Program (CEP) that allows students to simultaneously take classes with SCC and NAU to earn their Bachelor of Science degree in nursing in just two years,” explained DeFalco. “A lot of hospitals are looking for BSNs and this program helps fill the void. The first CEP partnership class will graduate at the end of this semester. These are the types of partnerships the new HES building will enable us to grow.” With the opening of the building came a boost in student enrollment, going from 290 nursing students during the spring 2013 semester to 326 students this fall. Once students complete the program and have earned their associate degree in nursing, they will be eligible to take the national licensure exam to become registered nurses (RN’s). Needless to say, the simulation technology and other highly specialized medical and academic equipment in this state-of-the-art teaching environment puts SCC students at the head of the class.
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My father died five years ago at the age of 94,” shared Tom. “This foundation and the programs it supports were near and dear to him. Continuing the nursing scholarship is a way for my sister, my brother and I to honor our parents.” - Tom Silverman, president of the Silverman Family Foundation
Heather Symonds, nursing student and recipient of the Silverman Nursing Scholarship, said, “The scholarship meant a lot to me, because it meant I didn’t have to pick up extra shifts at work to pay my tuition. I could take more time to study and, instead of working extra days to pay tuition, I could take a little extra time with my children.” Symonds said her children are sacrificing their time with her now while she’s in school so they will all have a better future. She said the Silverman Nursing Scholarship also has inspired her to give back. “I don’t know how yet, but when I’m done with nursing school, I do wish to give back in any means I can.” Another student and scholarship recipient, Raquel Salgado, said, “This was my first nursing scholarship and it felt good to know that a committee believes in my nursing potential. Knowing this has motivated me even more. I would like to thank the Silverman family for providing me this scholarship and I want to let them know it has helped so much in my nursing education and career.”
Silverman Scholarship recipients Heather Symonds and Raquel Salgado.
While the Silverman Family Foundation continues to invest in an array of Scottsdale programs and organizations, it is safe to say that the nursing scholarship will forever remain close to the hearts of its leaders. “My father died five years ago at the age of 94,” shared Tom. “This foundation and the programs it supports were near and dear to him. Continuing the nursing scholarship is a way for my sister, my brother and I to honor our parents.” As part of the Maricopa Community Colleges’ Educating Our Community, Ensuring our Future $50 million campaign, Scottsdale Community College has identified a $3.1 million goal for various scholarships and campus programs. If you would like to support any of SCC’s student scholarships, please send a check payable to the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation to SCC Institutional Advancement, 9000 E. Chaparral Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85256 or, for more information, call SCC Development Director Charles Silver at 480.423.6424.