Donors provide path for healthcare students

She is interested in working in women's health, potentially in labor and delivery or an OB-GYN office. Curenton eventually hopes to be a nurse practitioner. She was one of multiple students who had a chance to thank donors at an April 20 dinner at UNG's Dahlonega Campus.

"Your generosity helped me realize there are people besides my family who are proud of me and want to support me," Curenton said. "I can make a difference because of the difference you make."

Marianne Paola Rodriguez Boscan, who is also pursuing a BSN degree, is originally from Venezuela. Her goal is to be a nurse practitioner. After sharing some of her story in a scholarship application, she was excited to see the investment made in her through a donor-funded scholarship.

"I'm so grateful," Rodriguez Boscan said. "Thank you for believing in my potential."

Dr. Carolynn DeSandre, dean of UNG's College of Health & Wellness (CHW), said 80% of the college's graduates stay in Georgia.

Carol Clark and Dr. Patricia Davis attended the CHW scholarship dinner to meet recipients of the Mary Ruth Justus Scholarship, which was established in legacy by Marjorie Justus Clark, in both her name and that of her late husband Royce Jackson Clark. Marjorie Justus Clark and Royce Jackson Clark were aunt and uncle to Carol Clark and Dr. Davis.

"I love meeting students and seeing what they're doing and where they're going," said Dr. Davis, a retired neuroradiologist. "Being a small piece of that is fabulous."

Carol Clark said her aunt Marjorie Justus Clark was inspired by her mother Mary Ruth Justus's work as a nurse in Rabun County and also by the care Marjorie Justus Clark herself received after an accident. That led Marjorie Justus Clark to create a scholarship for nursing students at UNG in her mother's name. She chose UNG because she herself had been a librarian there for many years, transforming the collection from the Dewey Decimal System to Library of Congress. She always retained love for the university and was so impressed with the nursing program upon her visit.

"Aunt Margie would have loved this event and been so proud of all these people," Clark said. "I feel very inspired."

Stuart Downs, chief nursing executive for Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS), attended the event, as well.

"Supporting UNG students as they enter the healthcare field is an important part of the work we do at NGHS. Our mission is to improve the health of our community in all we do, and that starts with investing in the next generation of caregivers," Downs said. "When we help nursing students grow, we're ensuring our patients and staff benefit from skilled, compassionate nurses who are ready to deliver best-in-class care. It's about building a healthier community together and creating a strong, supportive pathway for those who are striving to become nurses."

Lynn Jackson, CEO of Northside Hospital Forsyth, was also grateful for the chance to meet scholarship recipients.

"The Northside-Hospital-sponsored nursing scholarships represent our investment in both people and community health," Jackson said. "By supporting aspiring nurses in their educational journey, we help develop the next generation of skilled, compassionate caregivers who receive an excellent education at UNG and who go on to make a lasting and positive difference in the lives of countless patients and families."