Kansas Nurses Foundation 2001 scholarship recipients

Kansas Nurse, Oct 2001

From its inception the Kansas Nurses Foundation's purpose has been to receive and manage funds derived from memorials, gifts and contributions; and to apply the income in order to support nursing education and scientific-activities through grants, loans and scholarships to individuals, organizations and institutions engaged in nursing education. This is the nineteenth year that KNF has given scholarships for nursing education. A total of $66,000 in scholarships and research grants have been given since 1981 to 171 students throughout the state of Kansas. Two of the 15 winners this year were awarded $300 scholarships, 11 were awarded $500 scholarships and two were awarded $1,000 scholarships.

KNF General Scholarships

Cynthia Jane Brown, Wichita, is a 2001 graduate of the Butler County Community College Associate Degree Nursing Program. She began her path to a nursing career by completing a Certified Nurse Aide course through a Wichita nursing home in 1998, followed by a Practical Nursing program through the Wichita Area Technical College in 2000. Brown served as an activity assistant at Larksfield Place, as well as working in clinical as a LPN at the Veteran's Administration Medical Center in Wichita. Currently, Brown is attending Wichita State University for the RN to BSN completion program. Her aspiration is to help people living with diabetes by becoming a diabetes educator and patient advocate. As a registered nurse, Brown believes she can provide compassionate and competent care to her patients.

Esther Illk, Emporia, received her Bachelor's of Science in Nursing from Emporia State University in 1999. She completed her diploma in nursing from Newman Hospital School of Nursing in 1981. Currently, Illk is attending Wichita State University to complete her Master's of Science in Nursing. She has worked at Newman Hospital in intensive care, cardiac catheterization laboratory, medical, telemetry, home health and surgical areas. At present she is working as a primary nurse in the cardiac cath lab. Ink's career goal is to become a nurse practitioner, specializing in family practice, in order to provide quality health care and promote healthy lifestyle choices. She wants to concentrate on early detection of illness and emphasize disease prevention through education. Illk actively volunteers for the March of Dimes, American Heart Association and the American Lung Association. She is also a member of the Kansas State Nurses Association, District 11.

Janice L. Schroeder, Inman, is enrolled at Tabor College in Wichita in the RN to BSN completion program. She completed her diploma from Hutchinson Hospital School of Nursing in 1974 and the RN First Assistant program from Hawkeye Community College in Iowa in 1995. Schroeder currently works as RN First Assistant at the Hutchinson Medical Center, as well as staff nurse at the McPherson Memorial Hospital. She has participated in many health care activities including camp nurse for junior/senior high programs, first aid station coordinator, and surgical nurse/ trainer in Honduras on a mission trip. Schroeder is a member of the Kansas State Nurses Association, District 7, and theAssociation for PeriOperative Registered Nurses. She wants to be better equipped for current and future leadership and management roles through expanding her knowledge of nursing with a BSN.

Susan Kauffman, Hutchinson, is attending Wichita State University to earn her Master's of Science in Nursing and Health Care Systems Administration degrees. She received a diploma from Hutchinson Hospital School of Nursing in 1974, and a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing from Fort Hays State University in 1992. Kauffman is employed by the Hutchinson Hospital Corporation as a Patient Care Supervisor. She has also worked as a staff nurse in the Intensive Care Unit and Medical/Surgical Unit at Hutchinson Hospital, in addition to her work as Charge Nurse in the Oncology, Diabetic and Respiratory Unit at Wesley Medical Center. Kauffman plans to pursue Health Informatics to assist and guide nurses into the era of automation, without adding undue stress. She is a member of the Kansas Organization of Nurse Leaders and the Kansas State Nurses Association. She has served at the district level as President, Vice President, Treasurer, and on the nominating committee of KSNA District 7.

Jane Peterson, Hays, is currently a doctoral student in the graduate nursing program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate Program in 1997. Peterson earned a Master's of Science in Nursing from Texas Woman's University in 1981, a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology from Kearney State University in 1974, and a diploma in nursing from Mary Lanning Hospital School of Nursing in 1973. Peterson has been a nurse educator for 17 years in Diploma, Associate Degree and Baccalaureate Nursing Programs. She currently teaches at Fort Hays State University, but has also taught at Mid-Plains Community College, Kearney State College, and St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing, all located in Nebraska. Peterson holds professional membership in the Kansas State Nurses Association and has worked on her district's newsletter and served on the district Board of Directors for KSNA District 16.