Gratitude stretched across decades recently when 20 YSN students received $10,00 each in tuition-support scholarships from the Elizabeth Street Scholarship Fund.
“We are grateful for the partnership of the Elizabeth Street Scholarship Fund in fulfilling our commitment to educating the next generation of nurses,” said Zachary Maggio, Senior Associate Dean for Student Enrollment, Engagement & Success. “These scholarships empower both current and future students to pursue their nursing education with fewer barriers.”
That’s the case for Amber Griffo, a scholarship recipient who is an MSN candidate in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at YSN.
“When I received the news that I had been awarded this scholarship, it felt like such a relief and a blessing,” said Amber.
“It gave me the chance to focus on my studies again without carrying the stress of extra debt. More than just financial help, this award gave me encouragement and reminded me that there are people who believe in me and my future as a nurse. I carry that support with me, and it motivates me to keep moving forward toward my goal of serving patients and making a difference in my community.”
Amber Griffo, MSN candidate, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program
The Fund is an ongoing expression of gratitude for the care Elizabeth Ladd received while a patient at Yale New Haven Hospital. She was the daughter of a carpenter who lived most of her life in Connecticut, where she had a long career as an editor for the Stamford Advocate newspaper. She faced health challenges throughout her life. The combination of care and compassion she received from Yale-educated nurses during her hospitalizations left an indelible impression on Ladd. Prior to her passing in 2015, she created a trust whose proceeds fund the annual scholarships, fulfilling Ladd’s desire to help future generations of Yale nurses carry on the legacy of excellence from which she’d benefitted.
To encourage excellence, Ladd specified that eligibility was to be based on academic achievement, with a B+ or better grade point average required for scholarship consideration.
This year’s Elizabeth Street Scholarships were awarded to Kiley Sweet, Asme Lichir, Ashley Bellizzi, Rose Tomasto, Moira Lewerk, Brittany Houston, Batchimeg Erdenebaatar, T.J. Debicella, Jeongho Kim, Terri Motraghi, Rebecca Bernardo, Yawen Luan, Nicolas Hortensi, Kristina Vetter, Brittany Roy, Olivia Glacken, Thailee Zarycki, McKenna Mason, Amber Griffo, and Shannon Gallagher.