It was a big year for Sampson's International Nursing Society, Inc.
We saw the 2nd Anniversary of our organization and now is the chance to reflect and look to its future.
We attended two Honor Flights at RSW (Southwest International Airport) to welcome back returning Veterans who were treated to a Washington, D.C. trip to view monuments that honored their contribution to America's Freedoms.
Numerous Pinning Ceremonies at local schools were attended by members throughout the entire year. Those who were professional nurses, now retired nurses like our CEO-Founder Linda F. Hill, LPN; Vice-President Isoline Litchmore RN; and members Pat Pruss, RN and Pamela McCoy, RN,BSN, MSN attended wearing nurse's whites. We attended ceremonies at Nova Southeastern University, Hodges University, Rasmussen in Fort Myers and Cape Coral Technical College, Cape Coral.
Through marketing efforts and our members who also have affiliations with other organizations, we received some wonderful donations. Those include Elks Lodge 2010, Naples; local Kiwanis- Naples on the Gulf Chapter, the Newcomers Club of South Naples; and even employees of FULLER FUNERAL HOME (north) through its Manager-Director Kim Borselli, who serves on Sampson's Board. In fact, he was presented with a plaque at our Gala in honor of his staff for donating more than any other donor thus far. Nova University's Edward Franco, Campus Director and Senior Director of Admissions, also serves as a Board member and is instrumental with getting Nursing Students service hours and giving ud help for our events like our 2023 Fall Gala which netted us almost $8,200 in donations in which the majority will go to future scholarship recipients. In fact, more than half of the total of 78 scholarships given in the 2 1/2 years of inception went to Local AND International students either due to need or exemplary service. Students also participated in Nurses Week events like the 2022 "Walk in My Shoes" and a luncheon last year when Founder of Hodges University, Mrs. Thelma Hodges, attended. Edward Franco, also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Sampson's. Outstanding Kiwanis members who also serve on our Board include: Linda F. Hill; Allison O'Reilly, our Secretary; Kevin O'Reilly; and Joe Paterno, all members of our Board of Directors. Other members of Sampson's Board include Dorothy Jackson, the group's Vocalist who performs at monthly meetings and other events; and Jackie Grace, our Creative Director and Website Developer. Our Treasurer, Melissa Palacios is a former Kiwanis member and owns MP Accounting Services in Naples. She works hard at keeping us on the straight and narrow. Thank you, Melissa.
Other Supporting Members include Caren Myers, RN, past Secretary; Gay Hollowell, Volunteer Services Manager at VITAS Healthcare; Cynthia Rue of Fort Myers and Pamela McCoy, a retired Air Force Veteran and VA Nurse.
Both Myers, Rue and Litchmore also run schools and nursing education programs. And I would be remiss to not include local hospices, VITAS and AVOW who support us with valuable information.
The 2024 OUTLOOK
This next year will find us attempting partnerships with other local organizations in order to defray operating costs and hopefully, making even MORE funding available for scholarships. Look for future opportunities and events like our Cook Book, available soon. (And a big "thank you" to Lorie-Ann Litchmore for typing recipes.)
The Nursing Shortage is real -- and nationwide and vacancies need to be filled with trained, educated nurses and health professionals. You can ALL help by helping us get in touch with accredited nursing programs at technical schools and universities WORLDWIDE. Scholarship applications are available online at https://www.sampsons-nurses.org. And stay in the know with our new Facebook page Sampson's Int'l Nurses.
LOOK OUT 2024--HERE WE COME!
Barbara Belkoff
President
