Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) recently granted Kelly Kelson (center), a Home Health Aide at Village on the Green in Longwood, the Bruce Taylor Scholarship Award.
This award was recently given to six front-line caregivers to help them achieve their goal of becoming nurses, with a total of $3,750 in scholarships. Kelson received $500 to go toward the LPN to Assistant Director of Nursing bridge program.
Each scholarship recipient is currently enrolled in a program to advance their clinical studies, has demonstrated a commitment to the residents entrusted to their care, shown leadership potential among their peers, and shared their personal story describing why they want to continue their education.
“Florida needs more long term caregivers,” said Emmett Reed, Chief Executive Officer of Florida Health Care Association. “FHCA is proud to support individuals such as Kelly Kelson, who are looking to further their education and contribute to the quality care being delivered to Florida’s long term care residents.”
Other recipients of FHCA Bruce Taylor Scholarship Awards for the fall cycle are:
- Sylvia Ware, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at Bardmoor Oaks Health & Rehabilitation Center in Largo, who received $750 to pursue a Registered Nurse (RN) degree;
- Barbara Hosler, an LPN at Menorah Life in St. Petersburg, who received $500 toward a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to RN bridge program;
- Tracye Miller, Admissions Assistant at Plantation Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Plantation, who received $500 to pursue an RN degree;
- Cobenis Diaz, an LPN at Palm Garden of Clearwater, who received $750 toward the LPN to Assistant Director of Nursing bridge program; and
- Leocadia Vargas, Housekeeping Laundry Director at Jackson Gardens Health and Rehabilitation Center in Miami, who received $750 to pursue an RN degree.
The Bruce Taylor Scholarship was established to provide resources for FHCA member nursing center and assisted living facility staff to further their education and pursue their career goals in nursing. Scholarships are awarded twice a year and funded through the Florida Health Care Education & Development Foundation, the Association’s charitable foundation.
