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In This Issue:
2002 Advancing Aspirations Scholarship Award recipients
BWH Helps Employees Achieve Health Care GoalsWhen Patricia Fitzpatrick, technical director, Clinical Labs, first saw the nomination forms for the Advancing Aspirations program, she knew for sure one member of her department whom she would nominate.
Kanha Ko, a medical laboratory technician in the Hematology Lab, works the night shift while she pursues her degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences at Northeastern University. In addition to this full load, Ko is typically the one to step up and cover extra shifts when the need arises. Ko came to BWH 14 years ago and has worked her way up through the system from lab technician to coordinator of lab control and now to her current position. In June, when she completes her bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences, she will be eligible to become an ASCP certified medical technologist.
It was much the same for Maureen Fagan, RNP, MS, nurse manager, Ambulatory OB/GYN. First on her list was Ruben Santana, a medical assistant working in the Antenatal Diagnostic Center on CWN 3. “Whenever Ruben has a free moment, his nose is in a book, studying,” said Fagan. “He is so eager to learn all about nursing functions.”
Santana came to BWH as an intern when he attended Dorchester High School. After graduating in 1993, he knew he wanted to work in health care, so he pursued an associate's degree to become a medical assistant. He returned to BWH and quickly chose to enroll in a nursing program at Quincy College.
“Nursing is everything that drives health care,” said Santana, who also has worked in the OR. “The one-on-one interaction nurses have with patients is probably the biggest draw.”
Ko and Santana are just two of 29 hospital employees to receive $1,400 scholarships from BWH to support their interests in pursing health care careers during the 2002-2003 academic year. The funding for Advancing Aspirations was given to BWH via Partners HealthCare by the U.S. Department of Labor through the Incumbent Health Care Worker Training Program. It may be used toward tuition, course supplies, child care and transportation, according to Deborah Conlon, program training coordinator, Organizational Development, Training and Diversity Management. While the grant was a one-time award to the hospital, HR is investigating means of continuing the program.
“We chose to develop this program with the funds as a way to reward and recognize deserving BWH employees for their hard work, dedication and quest for career advancement in our organization,” said Conlon.
“The shortage of lab technicians and nurses is nationwide,” said Fitzpatrick. “Supporting committed individuals in their quest for employment in these areas is a very valuable and worthwhile effort for us.”
To be eligible, employees must have worked at BWH for at least one year, work 20 hours or more in a permanent position, be in good standing, and the academic program must directly relate to an attainable position at BWH. Employees with a bachelor’s degree or higher were not eligible.