Three recipients receive $2,500 to continue their education
Amber Coy, RN, joined WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital as a certified nursing assistant in 2011. As she watched nurses care for patients, she couldn’t wait to become a nurse.
“I chose to become a nurse because I’m passionate about caring for patients,” she said. “But wanting to be more involved in the decisions for the well-being of my patients made me want to go further.”
Coy is currently studying for her bachelor’s degree at Walden University. Her ultimate goal is to pursue a career in primary care as a nurse practitioner.
Coy will be pursuing that goal with the help of a $2,500 Bev Malloy Memorial Nursing Scholarship.
She is one of three recipients. The others are George Donavos, CRNP, of the WellSpan York Hospital Emergency Department and Heather Haug, a nursing assistant at WellSpan Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital and an account representative at Quest Behavioral Health.
“Amber is a very skillful and compassionate nurse, always putting her patients first,” wrote a physician. “She is consistently showing great enthusiasm and energy, which are extremely important for nurses.”
Donavos said a personal family matter originally sparked his interest, and eventual passion, for nursing.
“I’m interested in expanding my knowledge base to include care of the pediatric population, as well as the family as a whole, which will tremendously help in serving the chronic and emergency needs of the York area population,” he said.
“My goal is simple: I want to provide the best care a nurse practitioner can give to a patient.”
Donavos is enrolled in Drexel University’s post-master’s family nurse practitioner program.
“I’ve always been impressed with George’s motivation, enthusiasm and drive as he has progressed through his career,” wrote a coworker. “He has shown a strong dedication toward continuing his education. George conveys his love of patient care despite the often challenging situations that are common in emergency settings.”
Haug, who is enrolled in York College’s BSN program, has always dreamed of being a nurse. She has been inspired by Bev Malloy’s traits of joy, kindness, compassion and love.
“These are traits I intend to emulate as I pursue my career in nursing,” she said. “Beyond the clinical and technical skills, Ms. Malloy reminds me of the value of service to others.”
A coworker wrote, “Heather builds magnificent rapport with patients, providers and fellow staff members. She has extraordinary skills in the provision of health care, always going above and beyond that which is required of her. She consistently demonstrates a vast knowledge of managed care, patient care and relationship building.”