For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Amy Burke, Profiles, Inc.
410-243-3790
aburke@profilespr.com

MIDATLANTIC CARDIOVASCULAR FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2009-2010 NURSING SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Since inception, Foundation has awarded over $60,000
in tuition grants for life-saving cardiology training

(Baltimore) – June 16, 2009 – The MidAtlantic Cardiovascular Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of their 2009-2010 Nursing Scholarships, awarded to those students demonstrating scholarship, compassion and potential for success in the practice of nursing. This year’s seven recipients, receiving a total of $7,000, are Priscilla Boateng, University of Maryland School of Nursing; Michele Darbonne, Towson University; Brittney Humphrey, CCBC; Natalie Labarre, Towson University; Muyiwa Okeyode, University of Maryland School of Nursing; Stephanie Stephens, Towson University; and Seth Taylor, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.

“Our goal in providing such scholarships is to ease the nursing shortage in Maryland and assist in providing skilled cardiovascular nurses to provide critical care for heart patients,” said Vicki Coombs, RN, PhD, executive director of the MidAtlantic Cardiovascular Foundation. “In the long term, these grants save lives.”

The Foundation has awarded over $60,000 in scholarships to those enrolled in nursing degree programs since launching the scholarship program three years ago.

Here are this year’s recipients and some of their impressive credentials:

Priscilla Boateng of Cheverly, MD just completed her first semester at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. She volunteers in the Feed the Kids Outreach Ministry and the Royal House Habitat for Humanity, just to name a few. Her long-term goal is to become a pediatric Nurse Practitioner and educator. Boateng is also this year’s recipient of the Linwood Dame Nursing Scholarship, named in honor of the Foundation friend and donor.

Michele Darbonne of Abingdon, MD is attending Towson University. Her nursing goal is to practice in pediatric cardiology. Darboone enjoys medical writing.

Brittney Humphrey of Baltimore, MD attends CCBC. Humphrey has volunteered in assisting Hurricane Katrina victims and hopes to give back to the community and help ease the nursing shortage by becoming a nursing educator.

Nathalie Labarre of Parkville, MD is attending Towson University. She hopes to become a Nurse Practitioner in a critical care setting and volunteered last summer at Johns Hopkins Hospital Emergency Department. Labarre is also this year’s Hank Yurow Nursing Scholarship recipient, named in honor of the first President of the MidAtlantic Cardiovascular Foundation (2004 through 2008) and CEO of MidAtlantic Cardiovascular Associates (1995 to 2008).

Muyiwa Okeyode of Randallstown MD works at the Howard county detention center while attending the University of Maryland School of Nursing. He hopes to become a community health nurse. Okeyode has volunteered in his home country of Nigeria and hopes to return on mission trips after graduation.

Stephanie Stephens of Aberdeen, MD attends Towson University. After receiving a pacemaker at the young age of 14, Stephens goal has been to become a registered nurse in pediatric cardiology. Stephens volunteers regularly at Martha’s Meal soup kitchen and has made several trips to the Gulf Coast to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina. Stephens is also this year’s Alexis K. Ince Nursing Scholarship recipient, named in memory of the young daughter of MidAtlantic Cardiovascular Associates cardiologist Carlos Ince.

Seth Taylor of Baltimore, MD attends Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. He hopes to work on a cardiac intensive care unit following graduation and has spent time as an emergency room volunteer. Taylor is currently participating in a Veterans Administration Residency program at the University of Maryland in the Cardiac ICU.

The recipients were acknowledged at a special luncheon in their honor at Linwood’s Restaurant in Reisterstown, Maryland June 1st.

For more information on the MidAtlantic Cardiovascular Foundation Nursing Scholarship, please visit www.macvfoundation.org

or call 410-825-2372.

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