Healthcare Scholarship Program

Each year, we offer scholarships to students currently enrolled in a health care field. These merit-based scholarships are funded by generous community donors, including St. Joseph's Nurses Society, seeking to encourage, inspire, and support these outstanding students. Since 2005, St. Joseph's has awarded over $380,000 in scholarships to 322 deserving students. 

Contact us to learn about how you can support the caregivers of tomorrow. 

 

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Barbara Kane Memorial Scholarship

Barbara Kane began her work at St. Joseph’s Medical Center as a surgical nurse and also served in the nursing float pool and pediatrics, before transitioning to Orthopedics where she spent most of her career until 1995. The Barbara Kane Memorial Scholarship was founded by Donna Kane (daughter) as a way to have her mother’s legacy live on. This scholarship aims to support local nurses in their second year at San Joaquin Delta College’s nursing program.

  • San Joaquin Delta College students
  • Second year of nursing
  • Pursuing their RN
  • Focus on being a floor or ED nurse (not required) 

 

Mended Hearts Big Valley Chapter 40 Scholarship

Led by volunteers, Mended Hearts mission is dedicated to “Inspiring hope and improving the quality of life for heart patients and their families through ongoing peer-to-peer support”. Mended Hearts is the largest peer-to-peer heart patient support network in the world. 

  • Preference would be to students working in or interested in cardiac care
  • Community oriented 

 

Richards-Collier Family Nursing Scholarship

Wilma June Richards was raised on a farm in rural Michigan, the eldest daughter of ten children. Her educational journey began in a humble one-room schoolhouse she attended with her siblings.  Once she finished elementary school, she began secondary school in town by catching a ride on the milk truck.  In ninth grade, she eventually left the farm and relocated to Monroe, exchanging child care and housekeeping for room and board so that she could be closer to school. Recognizing education as her ticket to a life beyond the farm, Wilma excelled academically, graduating as high school valedictorian and pursuing a math major at the University of Michigan. While at University of Michigan, she was a member of the inaugural class of the university's registered nursing program.  Wilma was a nurse for over 39 years, eventually assuming the role of nursing director at a local hospital. Throughout her career, she emphasized the empowerment and independence that education, particularly for women, brings.
 
Her daughter, Pat Collier, followed suit, entering the nursing profession immediately after college. With Wilma's inspiration, Pat furthered her education, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master's in Health Services Administration. Together, Wilma and Pat contributed 84 years to the nursing profession.
 
This scholarship aims to aid second-year or higher nursing students facing financial obstacles, with a preference for those interested in community health, echoing Wilma's commitment to education and empowerment.

 

Gusman-Langston Family Nursing Scholarship

Dedicated to parents, who as farm laborers, prioritized education particularly in nursing.

  • St. Joseph's Medical Center employee
  • Pursuing initial or advanced nursing
  • GPA 3.0 or above

 

Quitasol-Sison Memorial Scholarship

The Quitasol and Sison family’s held a deep commitment to education, as demonstrated through their own pursuit of advanced degrees and their work promoting health care pathways community-wide. Michael Quitasol, a career nurse, was recognized as a pioneer in establishing a Medical Careers Academy at Stagg High School. During his 33 years at St. Joseph’s, Michael served as a mentor for nurses and clinicians. At the time of her passing, Fernisa Sison, who had been a nurse practitioner at St. Joseph’s for many years, was nearing the completion of her Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree. Michael’s daughter Evanmichel was a beloved ICU nurse at St. Joseph’s, who often acted as preceptor for nurses who desired to work in a critical care setting. She was pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing. Evan’s two sisters, Nicole, an avid environmentalist, and Angela, a middle school teacher, were also lost in the tragic dive boat fire in the Channel Islands. Surviving family members include Fern’s son and daughter, Dominic Selga, an RN in our Outpatient Surgery unit, Nisa Shinagawa, former St. Joseph’s maternal child nurse, and Christina Quitasol, daughter of Michael, who also worked as a critical care nurse in our facility.

  • Scholarships to support healthcare careers
  • Nurses pursuing advanced degree

 

Eliza Tanner Memorial Scholarship

Eliza Tanner, RN spent over 40 years in healthcare and served as a registered nurse for over 32 years. She was passionate about helping others, and instilled this value in her children at an early age. Continued by her daughter, Anitra Williams, DNP, CCRN, PHN, HACP Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive in memory of her mother, will support aspiring nurses in our community.    

  • Nurses pursuing advanced degrees
  • Ideal candidate is a HOPE student
  • San Joaquin Delta College preferred

 

Rae Gamboni Charos Nursing Scholarship

This scholarship was established in honor of Rae Chaos, DNP, RN. After serving St. Joseph’s Medical Center for 32 years, Rae Charos retired at the end of January 2022. Rae’s journey with St. Joseph’s began in 1990 as an instructor in the hospital’s education department. Eleven years later, she stepped into the role of Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, carrying the passion for education and pursuing advanced degrees with her. Rae is the longest serving Chief Nursing Officer at Dignity Health to date.

  • St. Joseph’s nurses
  • Pursuing advanced degrees
  • One entry level (not an ADN – i.e. master’s or 2nd degree)
  • One advanced degree
  • Proven academic success and dedication to the profession

 

St. Joseph’s Nurses Society Scholarship

Established in 2017, St. Joseph’s Nurses Society was created to support and promote fellowship and continued education for past, current, and future nurses. St. Joseph’s Nurses Society support helps ease financial barriers for continuing education so that nurses may focus on exploring their aspirations, fulfilling their greatest potential, and transforming the future of health care. The Society also supports service and outreach projects to impact the greater Stockton community. To learn more about the society and/or to become a member please visit their website. 

  • Recipient(s) must be an active nurse (RN) employee of St. Joseph’s
    • OR enrolled in St. Joseph’s HOPE Incumbent Worker Program
    • OR in St. Joseph’s student nurse extern program.
  • Must be a resident of San Joaquin County, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher

 

Sister Gabriel Scholarship

Loretta C. Lally entered the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael in 1943 at which point she took the name Sister Gabriel. Her first “role” at St. Joseph’s included responsibility for patient accounting, purchasing, payroll and human resources. In 1952 Sister Gabriel was named Administrator (President) of St. Joseph’s–a title she would hold for 38 years. Sister Gabriel retired in 1990 and returned eventually to San Rafael. She died at Our Lady of Lourdes Convent in February of 1999. This scholarship pays tribute to her dedication to St. Joseph’s and the community at large. “Now it is our turn to pay tribute to you, your faith in us, your loyalty to St. Joseph’s and your devotion to excellence by our assurances that you and your work here will not be forgotten.” - 1990 Medical Staff upon her retirement.

  • Supports scholarships for individuals advancing their career in healthcare (NON-nursing)

 

CLS Scholarship

The CLS Scholarship was established in 2024 by the colleagues and friends of Denise Suen to help individuals pursue and/or advance their career in the Clinical Laboratory Field. The criteria to apply to the CLS Scholarship are:

  • Enrolled in a 12 month accredited CLS Training program in California
  • Lab clinical rotation to be completed at St. Joseph's Medical Center