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Terri Tonsetic, RN
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History
In 2011, the FNSNA established the Terri Tonsetic, RN Memorial Scholarship Endowment in memory of Terri Tonsetic, RN. This endowment was created to support scholarships for future flight nurses, critical care nurses and emergency nurses in Florida, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. From a young age, Terri knew that she wanted to be a nurse. Throughout her career, she personified servant leadership through her deep commitment to her patients, to her profession, family and friends. When describing their friend and colleague, many said that "Terri was smart, compassionate, creative, and funny...and that she was a pleasure to work with." Today, Terri's legacy lives on through this endowment. Through this special match campaign, it is the hope that Terri's story will live on in the future nurses who seek to create lasting change. |
2022-2023 Scholar Expresses Gratitude on Receiving Funding
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Akila Estwick, Florida Atlantic University, Class of '23
Akila Estwick, this year's scholar of the Terri Tonsetic, RN Memorial Scholarship Endowment realizes the importance of supporting this fund. She states, "I am forever thankful for the generous contributions." The Covid-19 pandemic has put a financial strain on so many, especially nursing students. Today, nursing students are eager to become a part of the most trusted profession. Without financial assistance from this fund, my nursing education may have been out of reach due to lack of funding. Akila's plan is to become a flight nurse and answer the call of those in the most emergent situations. Also, she is interested in women's health. Akila is grateful for receiving this scholarship. She recognizes that the funding brings her one step closer to the future she envisions for herself, her family and her community. |
Akila Estwick, Florida Atlantic University, 2022-2023 Scholar
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Previous Scholars Tell Their Stories
Since 2012, the FNSNA has awarded twelve (12) scholarships through the Terri Tonsetic, RN Memorial Scholarship Endowment. The resounding sentiment from all scholars is that "receiving this scholarship changed their life!" Below are just a few of the stories of previous scholars.
Jordan Hoprich, RN,
2020-2021 Scholar,
Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
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Jordan Hoprich, a scholar of the Terri Tonsetic, RN Memorial Scholarship was honored to complete her nursing program with a heightened sense of financial stability, so that she could continue to work toward her aspirations in becoming an operating room nurse. Hoprich has always been fascinated by the endless puzzles, mysteries and critical thinking, nursing requires.
In her first semester of nursing school, she served the Northwest and Urban Core populations of Jacksonville and continued to serve through graduation. In addition, her contributions to the community included assisting the homeless at the City Rescue Mission. Administering free health screenings and serving food to this vulnerable population. Her mission to support others became evident as the call for serving others will forever be high in demand. Jordan continued her journey and participated in the Brooks Rehabilitation Center's Adaptive Sports Rowing Event, where she facilitated the event from set-up to break-down and helped the patients of the rehab center complete activities. The Terri Tonsetic scholarship has propelled Jordan in her professional career as an operating nurse at Mayo Clinic in Neurosurgery. Everyday, she is continuing to care for her patients as she witnesses first hand profound moments in her patients break throughs. Jordan's heart is full, knowing that through her knowledge, training, and compassion she is able to heal patients from the inside out. In her deepest appreciation, she acknowledges the triumphs made as a result of being a qualified scholar of this memorial scholarship. |
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Ashlyn Summerlin is an honored scholar of the Terri Tonsetic, RN Memorial Scholarship. As a result of receiving a tuition scholarship, Ashlyn was able to use other savings that would have been used to pay for school, to embark on the trip of her life to Quito, Ecuador. It was there that she served a third-world community and provided free healthcare, and provided supplies such as: vitamins, hygiene products, orthopedic products, and resources for specialized needs patients - all as a nursing student.
She expressed her immense gratitude in having to experience this first hand with her fellow classmates and professors. The opportunity to travel not only conveyed the opportunity in gaining new learning experiences, but also showcased her ability to adapt to her surroundings when resources were scarce. Ashlyn utilized the only tools available as a form of communication with a strong language barrier. Now, as an Emergency Department nurse, these skill sets are paramount in the nursing profession. To add to her contributions, Ashlyn has also built a small business called "A Nurse's Way," offering homemade holistic healthcare products. |
Ashlyn Summerlin, RN,
2017-2018 Scholar,
Tanner Medical Center, Carrollton, GA
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Brittany Dye, RN,
2021-2022 Scholar,
Good Samaritan Hospital,
West Palm Beach, FL
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Brittany Dye, a scholar of the Terri Tonsetic, RN Memorial Scholarship. In her academic studies, pursuing her BSN was a goal she was always passionate about. For decades, Brittany dreamed of being a registered nurse practitioner.
As a student, encountering financial hardships, minimum wage, tuition, books and caring for her elderly parents, whilst being a full-time single mother, presented challenges. However, despite the tribulation, she is elated to have been a prime example of a woman who can still succeed, and strive towards a higher purpose. Graduating as a nurse practitioner, has presented new professional opportunities. Brittany currently works full-time on an ICU Stepdown unit, where she caters to those in need and puts her medical achievements to practice. Because of the financial support, Ms. Dye expresses her undying hope that future nurses will feel seen in trivial circumstances, just as she did. |
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Your contribution can help the career of a nurse take flight!
Your contribution can help the career of a nurse take flight!