Who was Joanne Fowler?
Joanne Fowler was a nurse, a mother, and a grandmother. She became known by many in her community as Nurse Jo. There was nothing that she wouldn’t do to help others. She was the epitome of nursing. She entered the profession at the age of 18 wanting to change the world. She believed that caring for others was one of the greatest jobs that a person could have. The ability to take a person who was suffering and to hold their hand, ease their pain, and to comfort them in their time of need….that is what she lived for. Even when she wasn’t working, others looked to her for comfort, advice, and the gentle care that is often missed in healthcare. She had a caring capacity that touched every life that she encountered.
In 2008, she was diagnosed with a rare form of dementia, frontal temporal dementia. It quickly took away her ability to remember, to think for herself, or to act like the woman she once was. But even in the end, her true character showed. Even when the disease was at its worst, when she didn’t remember anything…. If she saw someone in pain or in discomfort, she would reach out to care for them. She might not have remembered she was a nurse, but she remembered her compassion and her need to care to others. That is the true spirit of a nurse.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia.
Currently there are over 6 million people in the U.S. living with dementia and over 11 million family caregivers providing nearly $257 billion in unpaid care. Between 2000 and 2019, heart disease deaths DECREASED by 7.3% while deaths by dementia INCREASED by 145%. I out of 3 people over the age of 65 will die from dementia, more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined!
Yet, no one wants to talk about Dementia until it is too late. However, there are things that can be done to delay and possibly even prevent the disease from happening. Talking to a provider to understand your risks related to high blood pressure, diabetes, genetics, and traumatic head injuries can help you incorporate a healthy lifestyle to preserve a level of functioning longer. Taking a few steps now can save you and your family a lot of heartache and pain in the future.
The Purpose & Eligibility
This scholarship is for those that see healthcare as more than just a job, it must be a drive, a need to give and to care. Nursing assisting is hard, sometimes unrewarding, always difficult, and just downright a tough job. But caring for others is the best job you could ever have. We want to help you get there.
All applications packets must be submitted by December 6, 2021. Once you submit the form below, an application packet will be emailed to you within 48 hours. You must complete the packet in order to be considered for the scholarship. Two scholarships will be awarded for each location- Jacksonville & Wilmington. The scholarship award recipients will be notified by December 23, 2021.**
**The scholarship award recipients may use the scholarship towards any scheduled Nurse Aide I course during the 2022 calendar year. The scholarship cannot be used for any other classes, is non-transferable, and has no cash value.
