July 17, 2019

URI College of Nursing Hosts 2019 Awards Ceremony for Nursing Foundation's
Nurse Education Scholarships and Research Grants

The Nursing Foundation of Rhode Island (NFRI) awarded scholarships to 25 nursing students from area colleges at a ceremony held on July 17th at the University of Rhode Island. The Awards program was dedicated to the memory of Betsy Nield, former URI nursing faculty member and past President and co-founder of the Nursing Foundation. Barbara Wolfe, Dean of the College of Nursing, welcomed the students, their families and guests and thanked the Board members of the Nursing Foundation for their dedication to promoting nursing and nursing education.

Photo Gallery

NFRI President Trudy Mulvey was joined by Foundation Trustees and donors in presenting the scholarship awards.“Thanks to the generosity of our many donors, this is the largest group of scholarship recipients in our history,” she said. The scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to $1,500, were awarded to students based on their good academic standing and demonstrated need.

Student nurses selected for the scholarships awards, their school affiliation and designated donor fund awards are listed below:

The Betsy Nield Memorial Scholarship - Katie Christie (URI)

The Kathleen Gremel Memorial Scholarship - Sarah French (RI College)

The Clare Sullivan Leadership Award - Elizabeth Coelho, BS, RN (Sullivan and Schmeiding Funds)

Graduate Nurse Scholarships

Andrea Sharkey, RI College (Schmeiding Fund)
Anna Dickenson, RI College (Schmeiding Fund)
Michael Rock, RI College (Schmeiding Fund)

Community College of Rhode Island
Margaretta Huiberts, Zanella Fund
Bernelle Richardson, Zanella Fund
Shelia Kaiser, Zanella Fund
Priscilla Lavoie Tobey, Briant Fund
Amanda Pearson Botelho, RWGH Alumni Joan Melaragno Award
Nabeel Almohtade, RWGH Alumni Fund
Mattie Turco, Enright and RIF Funds

Rhode Island College
Roberta Osei Bonsu, Drew Lewis Fund
Amber Archer, Dwyer Fund
Taylor Bower, Sweetland/Fry and Sherman Family Fund

St. Joseph - School of Nursing
Hillary Mielbye, Stettler Fund
Malick Sow, Stettler Fund
Ebony Tubman, Stettler Fund
Madison Silva, Stettler Fund

University of Rhode Island
Shea Poland, Murgurdichian Fund

Research Grantee
Maisaa Albkkerat – URI, Ferrara Fund
The research award will fund study on the Nutritional Beliefs Perceptions and Practices of Arabic Speaking Middle Eastern Mothers.

Incorporated in 1991, the Foundation’s mission is to provide nursing scholarships, to award nursing research grants, and to support nursing in Rhode Island. Since its inception, it has awarded a total of $341,379 in Scholarships and $46,097 in research grants.