Full Text:

VNA Scholarship Award

(with photo)

BY KAAREN VALENTA

The Newtown Visiting Nurse Association has awarded its $1,000 Mary M. Holian

Scholarship for Returning Students to Jennifer Ober for her master's degree

studies in nursing at Western Connecticut State University.

"Jennifer Ober is one of our outstanding young women of today," said VNA

second vice president Margareta Kotch, who presented the award with Sally

Schwerdtle, VNA scholarship chairman.

Mrs Ober is enrolled in the second year of the master's degree program and

plans to become a nurse practitioner. She is a graduate of Fairfield

University, where she earned a bachelor of science degree in nursing. She has

worked at Greenwich Hospital, the Danbury VNA, Family Health Care Center in

Newtown.

She is now the well child clinic coordinator and pediatric community health

nurse for the Bethel and Newtown VNAs.

Mrs Ober lives in Newtown with her husband, Gary, and three daughters,

Bethany, Mary Grace and Claire.

The Newtown VNA-Mary M. Holian Scholarship is awarded annually to individuals

who live in Newtown and who are returning to school for a nursing degree,

either an associate or BSN. The applicant must be entering the second year of

training, provided he or she has completed the first year within the last five

years. Selection is based on interest in the nursing profession, personality,

scholarship, financial need and upon the recommendation of a faculty adviser

or dean.

The scholarship was established in 1988 in honor and appreciation of Mary M.

Holian for her dedication and leadership in the field of public health nursing

in Newtown and in the state of Connecticut. She has served on the Newtown VNA

Board for 30 years, nine of those as president. She is a charter member and

past president of the state organization, the Association of Community Health

Care Service Agencies.

She was responsible for the establishment of many of the Newtown VNA programs,

including the well-child conferences, the scholarship programs, and the

consortium with the Danbury VNA to provide nursing services to Newtown.

Mrs Holian continues to be an active member of the Newtown VNA board and is an

active contributor and observer of legislation on the state and federal levels

pertaining to non-profit home health agencies. Mrs Holian is a graduate of

Albertus Magnus College, and was a teacher for many years in area schools.

The VNA also awards a $2,000 Anna E. Clow Scholarship to graduating seniors

from Newtown who intend to pursue nursing studies. Information about the

scholarships also is available by writing to Sally Schwerdtle, 447 North Park

Avenue, Easton, Conn. 06612, or by calling her at 203/268-8333.