CONCORD – Granite VNA, the largest home health care and hospice provider in New Hampshire, recently awarded three employees with scholarships to further their clinical skills and credentials. The Granite VNA employee scholarships are awarded annually and are supported by endowed funds that have been designated by agency supporters. Employees who wish to be considered for the scholarships must apply and applications are evaluated by a selection committee based on specific criteria.

Granite VNA’s 2022 employee scholarship recipients are Megan Taylor, RN, Elizabeth Diminico, RN, and Beth Rachdorf, LNA.

“We are extremely fortunate to be able to offer these scholarship opportunities to Granite VNA employees each year to help them expand their skills and knowledge,” said Sarah DeFalco, Chief Human Resource Officer. “We always have many worthy candidates, which makes the selection process very challenging.”

Taylor, of Barnstead, who is a member of Granite VNA’s home care team and serves as its wound care coordinator, was awarded the Eugene and Anne Slusser Scholarship. The scholarship promotes continuing education for career advancement and may be used for a health-focused, post-secondary education degree program, a continuing education program, a certification program and tuition expenses. Taylor will participate in the Wound Care Education Institute Ostomy Management Specialist course in preparation for the National Alliance of Wound Care Ostomy® certification exam.

Diminico, of Boscawen, who is a member of the agency’s pediatrics and maternal child health team, was awarded the Ruby Rainie Nydegger Scholarship, which supports continuing education for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and licensed nursing assistants/personal care service providers who care for pediatric patients or aspire to do so. Diminico is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) and is enrolled in the ASN (Associate of Science in Nursing) to BSN program at Southern New Hampshire University.

Rachdorf, of Canterbury, who is a member of the agency’s home care team, was awarded the Jacob W. Bishop Scholarship, which provides financial support to nursing or paraprofessional staff members who are enrolled in an accredited nursing program and may be used toward tuition and fees. She is pursuing an ASN at Great Bay Community College.

“We congratulate Megan, Elizabeth and Beth on their scholarship awards, and we are excited to be able to support their efforts to grow professionally, which benefits them, of course, and ultimately benefits our patients and their families,” said DeFalco.

Since 1899, Granite VNA has been caring for people in their homes and leading the way in population health. The agency provides hospice services throughout the 82 communities it serves in patients’ homes, in skilled nursing settings, and at Hospice House on Pleasant Street in Concord, which was the first facility of its kind in New Hampshire.

The more than 450 highly skilled clinicians and staff members of Granite VNA provide unmatched care across the entire life span – from birth to end-of-life. The agency provides a broad array of services, including home care, hospice care, palliative care, pediatric and maternal child health, and personal home services, as well as community clinics and wellness programs.

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