On June 4th, Davin Healthcare Owner and CEO, David Theobald, MSN, RN, CSP, attended a scholarship award ceremony at Glens Falls Hospital. The hospital awarded two recipients with the first annual Davin Healthcare Kristen S. Memorial Scholarship.

Writing of the experience, David said:

It was an honor to witness so many kind and compassionate nurses celebrating each other at the Glens Falls Hospital award ceremony, and to see the exemplary transformational leadership set in place by Donna Kirker, MS, RN, NEA-BC and her colleagues. Our first annual scholarship in support of nursing education is in loving memory of Kristen Stevenson, RN, BSN. Congratulations to the recipients.

 The scholarship was created in honor of Kristen Stevenson, RN, BSN, a Glens Falls Hospital nurse who tragically lost her life in a vehicular accident earlier this year. This scholarship is available to Glens Falls Hospital nurses who are enrolled in a CCNE (Collegiate Commission on Nursing Education) accredited program to obtain a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.

The scholarship description honors the late hero:

Kristen Stevenson was a Registered Nurse at Glens Falls Hospital with a passion for Nursing and commitment to continued education and professional development. Kristen had a passion for Critical Care nursing and caring for cardiac patients. She was an experienced Cardiac Nurse in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab. Kristen maintained a crossed trained status to the Critical Care Unit, as she was willing to support patient care wherever the need.   She was a certified Critical Care RN through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. Kristen had recently completed her BSN and was very proud of her accomplishment. Her goal was to obtain her Masters’ degree in Nursing.

 Kristen was a wonderful nurse who always placed her patients at the center of her care. She had an amazing ability to comfort and ease her patient’s anxiety with her beautiful smile, her gentle touch and confident care. Kristen was a valued and experienced member of the Cardiac Catherization Lab and will be greatly missed. To honor her memory [Davin Healthcare] funded this memorial scholarship in her name. It is the hope of her family and colleagues that Kristen’s passion and support for education will be exemplified in the recipients of this scholarship that bears her name.

The tragedy of Kristen’s passing highlights the impact one nurse can make on so many people. We need more heroes to join the nursing field. We support and encourage everyone who seeks to join the profession or further their education as a nurse. You, too, can be a hero.