Generosity benefits colleagues and peers

A dozen Providence St. Mary caregivers are receiving scholarships to further their education, thanks to donor contributions to the Caregiver Education fund.

Generous donations by our community of caregivers, along with support from Columbia Rural Electric Association, resulted in more than $20,000 in scholarship funds allocated to caregivers in 2023. Applicants with educational goals directly related to their current role or professional development receive priority on selection.

Caregiver Ryan Johnson signed up to make a regular contribution to the Caregiver Education fund shortly after starting his role at Providence St. Mary Medical Center.

“I never anticipated I’d be someone who would benefit from it,” Ryan said. The 2023 scholarship allowed Ryan to buy books for an entire quarter, as well as supplies for his clinical rotation as he studies to become a certified radiologic technologist. “I’m also receiving federal student loans, and this scholarship freed up more of that to go toward living expenses since I’m not working as much as I’d like to while in school.” Ryan expects to graduate next summer and would eventually like to receive his MRI modality.

Caregiver Dulce Diaz-Flores didn’t think she’d get picked for a scholarship when her core leader encouraged her to apply. A single mom working multiple jobs, Dulce intends to become a registered nurse. The Caregiver Education fund paid for an entire quarter at Walla Walla Community College for a class she had struggled with before.

“I hadn’t passed statistics, and I was re-taking it over the summer when the term is shorter and the material is presented more quickly,” Dulce said. “I passed the class, and it also relieved so much stress to have the scholarship pay for it.”