The Dorchester General Hospital Auxiliary’s Nursing Grant Committee recently presented awards to nine area nursing students. The financial aid covers the cost of tuition, books and other educational expenses.

Heather Ann Todd of East New Market, a student at Salisbury University, and Carol Lynn Dickerson of Berlin, a student at Wor-Wic Community College, each received a $750. Chesapeake College student Patricia Walter Windsor of Cambridge received a $600 grant. Students receiving $500 grants are: Emily Caitlin Smith of Queenstown, who is studying at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, and Chesapeake College nursing students Nicole Leonard of St. Michaels; Kathleen Helen Fair and Christine Marie Garvey of Chester; Lauren Davis of Denton; and Roxanne Horant of Cordova.

The nursing grants were funded by donations made by members of the DGH Auxiliary and by fundraisers sponsored by the Hospitality Shop. Funding was also made possible through a $750 gift from the Elk’s Club #1272 and $2,000 received from the Dorchester Ruritan Club.

Since 1978, the DGH Auxiliary has awarded 123 scholarships to students who have been accepted into the nursing section of a registered nursing program and who meet established criteria. The committee selects applicants based on a written report of grades, work experience, financial need, references and a personal essay.

“By reading these applications we gain insight into the student’s abilities, strengths and areas for development,” says Debbie Thomas, chair of the DGH Auxiliary’s Nursing Grant Committee. “Some of the students we chose are already working in healthcare and they all share a commitment to giving back to their community when they graduate from nursing school.”

Thomas adds, “The Auxiliary and these nursing students share a common goal – to meet the healthcare needs of our community. We deeply appreciate the funding we receive from individuals and organizations to support this program.”

In photo: Carol Lynn Dickerson and Lauren Davis (center), two nursing students who were chosen to receive grants from the DGH Auxiliary are pictured with Nursing Grant Committee members (left to right, Debbie Thomas, Jean Baker, Bonnie Rimpo and Suzanne Press.