InterAct for Change and Deaconess Associations Foundation
Award Scholarships; Recognize Nursing Excellence
Fourteen Local Nursing Students Receive Funding to Advance Careers; Others Honored
Cincinnati – April 30, 2014 – InterAct for Change, a leader in innovative philanthropic
solutions, along with Deaconess Associations Foundation, today announced they have awarded
scholarships to fourteen local nursing students. InterAct for Change also presented the Nursing
Excellence Award to two nurses demonstrating outstanding contributions.
“These scholarships assist nursing students enrolled in entry, masters and doctoral programs.
Given our regional shortage, we are pleased several scholarships will help provide assistance to
students preparing to become nurse practitioners or nursing faculty,” said Francie Wolgin,
senior program officer at InterAct for Change. “Greater Cincinnatians rely on thousands of
nurses who provide or influence nursing care delivered every day in the community, in schools,
or in hospitals. We also wanted to take the opportunity to recognize the contributions of these
individuals."
The Nursing Excellence Award honors individuals who demonstrate outstanding contributions to
nursing in Ohio, Kentucky, or Indiana. Dean Visk, RN, BSN, Psychiatric Nursing Team Leader,
Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services, and Diana McIntosh, Associate Professor of
Clinical, University of Cincinnati, College of Nursing, will be the recipients for this seventh year
of Nursing Excellence Awards.
“Deaconess’ 126 year history has a strong connection to those who serve as healthcare
professionals,” said Tony Woods, Chairman of Deaconess Associations, Inc. “We are pleased
to support these students whose work has a positive impact on quality of life and Deaconess’
legacy of healing.”
Scholarships winners are:

Deaconess Associations Scholarships were established by Deaconess Associations
to benefit nursing and allied health students, especially those enrolled in nurse
practitioner, geriatric clinical nurse specialist or nursing education programs.
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Five Deaconess Associations Advanced Practice Nursing Scholarships
($10,000) were awarded to students enrolled in accredited masters or
doctorate programs in nursing. Scholarship winners include:
 Megan Bushman, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH
 Angela Clark, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
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Nursing Scholarships
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Jillian Magner, University of Cincinnati, Bellevue, KY
Misty Mitchell, Wright State University, Miamisburg, OH
Jessica Schneider, University of Cincinnati, Covington, KY
Five Deaconess Associations Nursing Scholarships ($5,000) were awarded
to students enrolled in accredited associate or baccalaureate nursing programs
and to students with non-nursing BA or BS degrees enrolled in an accredited
program awarding an MSN. Winners are:
 Kylie Bates, Northern Kentucky University, Cold Spring, KY
 Jennifer Legere, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
 Keri Siegert, The Christ College of Nursing and Health Science, Erlanger,
KY
 Tristen Yarborough, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
 Joanne Wetherington, Northern Kentucky University, Cincinnati, OH

The Ida W. Casey Memorial Scholarship ($2,000) is named for the founding chair of
the Department of Nursing at Edgecliff College, now Xavier University. The scholarship
is awarded a student enrolled in an accredited graduate degree nursing program. This
year's winner is Sandra Curtis, Capella University, Cincinnati, OH.

The Anna M. Drake Scholarship ($2,000) is named for a public health nurse and
founder of District 8 (now known as the Southwestern Ohio Nurses Association) of the
Ohio Nurses Association. Rebecca Smart of Ft. Mitchell, KY and student at Gateway
Community & Technical College has been named this year's recipient.

The Rose Hook Scholarship Fund ($2,000) honors a well-known Northern Kentucky
nurse who was the first board chair of Interact for Change, and is an emeritus director of
the Interact for Health board. Katelyn Plunkett of Villa Hills, KY and student of Northern
Kentucky University has been named this year's winner.

The Laura Rosnagle Memorial Scholarship ($2,000) recognizes the first Dean of
University of Cincinnati's College of Nursing and Health. The scholarship is awarded
annually to a registered nurse who is enrolled in an accredited Bachelor of Science in
Nursing or Master in Science Nursing completion program, or to an individual with a nonnursing BA or BS degree now enrolled in an accredited program awarding an MSN
degree. This year's winner is Faye Brown of Loveland, OH and a student at University of
Cincinnati.
-more-
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Nursing Scholarships
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About the Deaconess Associations Foundation
The Deaconess Associations Foundation is a non-profit member of Deaconess Associations,
Inc., a diversified healthcare corporation based in Cincinnati with long term care operations in
Ohio and Kansas. In addition to Deaconess Long Term Care, the Deaconess Foundation
manages various community health initiatives, including Deaconess Medical Monitoring, an inhome emergency response and medication monitoring system; and Heimlich Heroes, an
educational program that trains youth on how to perform the Heimlich maneuver. Deaconess
Foundation also spearheaded ITNGreater Cincinnati, a transportation service for seniors and
the sight-impaired. The Deaconess Foundation also provides financial support to communitydriven healthcare initiatives, such as Deaconess Health Check, a school-based health and
dental clinic in western Cincinnati; and Health Care Access Now, a local organization that
coordinates healthcare services for high-risk populations. In 2014, Deaconess received Prevent
Blindness of Ohio’s People of Vision Award for its philanthropic support on behalf of the
community.
About InterAct for Change
A subsidiary of Interact for Health, InterAct for Change is a full-service 21stcentury philanthropic
organization that works with individuals, families, and private foundations that have a strong
desire to achieve measurable results through charitable giving and venture philanthropy. To
establish a new scholarship or to learn more about InterAct for Change, visit
www.interactforchange.org
About Interact for Health
Interact for Health, formerly The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, improves the health of
people in the Cincinnati region by being a catalyst for health and wellness. We accomplish our
mission by promoting healthy living through grants, education, and policy. Interact for Health is
an independent nonprofit that serves 20 counties in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. More
information can be found at www.interactforhealth.org
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Contact:
Kate Keller
Vice President, Policy and External Relations
Interact for Health
513-458-6616
[email protected]
Francie Wolgin
Senior Program Officer
InterAct for Change/Interact for Health
513-458-6612
[email protected]