2019 Sr. Mary Grace Memorial Scholarship Winners

The Mercy Medical Center Council of Leagues celebrated the recipients of its 2019 Sr. Mary Grace Memorial Scholarship awards at a ceremony, held at the hospital, on June 11, 2019. The Sr. Mary Grace Scholarship Program awards scholarships to students pursuing a career in health care and are based on criteria including merit, talent, dedication to community and financial need.

 “Thanks to the Mercy Leagues, we are able to award annual scholarships to students pursuing a career of service to the sick in memory of Sr. Mary Grace, a member of the Congregation of the Infant Jesus who founded both Mercy Medical Center and the Nursing Sisters Home Visiting Service,” said Sr. Dolores Castellano, CIJ, Moderator of the Leagues.

 “This year’s recipients all have a spirit of learning and dedication to a career in health care.  It is our pleasure to help them achieve their educational goals through this program,” added Doreen Baldwin, council president.

The four scholarship winners, awarded $1,000 each, include: 

• Brittany Cafarella, Massapequa Park – pursuing a nursing degree at Adelphi University.
• Nicholas Ferretti, West Hempstead – attending Mercy Medical Center’s School of Radiography to become a NYS licensed radiologic technologist.
• Kannan Rajendran, West Hempstead – attending Queens College with the goal of becoming a military physician.
• Marsha Smiekle, Freeport – pursuing dual master’s degrees in nursing and public health at Northeastern University. 

“The Sr. Mary Grace Scholarship program is another example of how Mercy fulfills its commitment to supporting the members of our community,” said Temra K. Taylor, executive director of the Mercy Medical Center Foundation. “The caliber of our scholarship winners this year is excellent.  We wish them the very best in the pursuit of their educational and health care career goals.”

The Leagues raise significant funds each year for capital improvement projects at Mercy through the local fundraising events of the individual groups, which include luncheons, fashion shows, theatre parties, trips, auctions, raffles and more! 

For more information about the Council of Leagues visit this link or call 516-705-1393.

Photo caption (L to R) Sr. Dolores Castellano, CIJ; Kevin Croutier, volunteer services manager; Joseph Libertelli, vice president of human resources; Stacey-Ann Rhone (mother of recipient Marsha Smiekle); Grace Way, Nicholas Ferretti; Kannan Rajendran; Sheila Norris; Doreen Baldwin, council president; Barbara Geiger, director of School of Radiography; and Temra K. Taylor, executive director of the Mercy Medical Center Foundation.