Each year, in the spring, Lee Health employees, volunteers, family members and Lee County residents interested in pursuing a healthcare career have the opportunity to apply for grants through the Lee Health Education Award Program. This year, 142 recipients received assistance to help them with their educational expenses.
“This year’s recipients included 108 employees, four volunteers, 26 family members and four members of the community/prospective employees,” explained Cynthia Parracho, education & grant coordinator. “Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, financial need, career goals and field of study. This Program started in 2015, and we are so fortunate to have incredible support from local donors, which supports and propels our mission.”
The donors that support the Lee Health Education Award Program include:
- Cape Coral Hospital Auxiliary
- Gulf Coast Medical Center Auxiliary
- Lee Memorial Auxiliary Linda D. Johnson Education Scholarship
- Lee Health Foundation
- Edward & Gale McBride Education Scholarship Fund
- Ellen McDonald Endowed Pediatric Nursing Scholarship
- Eloise Carlson Education Endowment Fund
- Jim Nathan Endowment Fund
- Nathan Family Educational Excellence Fund
- Madeleine R. Taeni Nursing Education Fund
- Robert & Frances Feuchter Endowment Education Scholarship Fund
- Donald L. Fjellin Educational Grant Endowment Fund
“Thank you is not enough to all of our donors and committee — they are the heart of the Program,” Cynthia said. “Between this Program and our amazing education assistance benefit, so many of our employees can grow, develop and achieve their educational dreams — and, as education assistance & grant coordinator, I truly get to see the impact these grants make for the recipients year after year. Our team members and the generous donors who help support them are what makes Lee Health so exceptional.”
The Lee Health Education Award Program has helped thousands of Lee County residents pursue and fulfill their career and education goals, which range from phlebotomy to bachelor or master of nursing degrees to physical therapy, health care management, cardiovascular technology, midwifery, biomedical science, social work and more. Since the program launched in 2015, 1,950 recipients have received $1,957,764!
Education is vital to growing and maintaining our workforce and ensuring the safest, highest quality care is available. Thanks to the generous funding from local benefactors, Lee Health is proud to have the opportunity to invest in our employees (current and future) through the annual Education Award Program. The application period opens March 1 and runs through April 30 each year.
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Larry Antonucci, M.D., MBA is the president & CEO of Lee Health, Southwest Florida’s major destination for health care offering acute care, emergency care, rehabilitation and diagnostic services, health and wellness education, and community outreach and advocacy programs. Visit www.LeeHealth.org to learn more.