Scholarship established in memory of Hamilton
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Lions Club names Zimmerman
as first recipient
By Sarah Hurlburt
Sentinel Correspondent
LEWISTOWN -- A scholarship has been set up in honor of founding director of the Lewistown Hospital School of Nursing, Kay Hamilton.
During its meeting, the Chief Logan Lions welcomed the new director of the Lewistown Hospitals School of Nursing, Beth Finkbiner as guest speaker, as well as Nicholas Zimmerman, the Kay Hamilton Memorial Scholarship recipient.
"I am honored and proud to be part of the School of Nursing. The graduates of the school of nursing have made and will continue to make a great impact on our community," Finkbiner said.
"I am grateful that Kay Hamilton acted on her vision for the nursing school and for her tenacity in getting the school of nursing started here in Lewistown. The School of Nursing is continuing to grow and will remain a valuable asset to our local community. Kay's vision will continue to thrive because of the support of local organizations like the Lions Club. The scholarship from the Chief Logan Lions Club will assist a student in obtaining their goal of becoming a registered nurse and have a great impact on their future."
Hamilton passed away in April. The scholarship will be awarded to one nursing student each year.
The Lewistown Hospital School of Nursing has been ranked one of the top five nursing programs in the state while the registered nurse program has been ranked the top RN program in the state.
Brad Wingard, of the Chief Logan Lions, said "Kay's vision of creating a learning environment to provide quality nursing education right here in Mifflin County was more than deserving of being honored."
According to Wingard, after Hamilton's service in the U.S. Air Force from 1960-61, she moved to Oklahoma where she began her nursing career. She graduated from St. Mary's Hospital School of Nursing in 1969 and worked as a registered nurse for many years. Kay also earned a bachelor's degree in English/Education and taught high school English for a few years.
After earning a Master of Science Degree in Nursing in 1999, Hamilton returned to PA in 2001 after accepting a position as Clinical Educator at Lewistown Hospital. She was promoted to Vice President of Nursing Services, then to Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and in 2007, became President/CEO of Lewistown Hospital.
"She served on many local committees, remaining a community advocate all her life." Wingard said, "Kay described her cherished nursing profession as a sacred trust and the American Dream."
The Chief Logan Lions Kay Hamilton Memorial Scholarship will join the Robert and Sandy Metz Endowment and Sarah Heintzelman Stoicheff Scholarship in assisting students with the cost of the program. Details for method of application and award criteria for the Kay Hamilton Memorial Scholarship are still being determined. This year's recipient was recommended by the School of Nursing.