Nurses on the 2 East Multispecialty Care unit at University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton recently raised over $1300 to benefit the Ruth Ann Jones Endowed Scholarship at Chesapeake College.
Staff nurses Dawn Ruby and Alyssa Baker organized a festive “Paint Night” in June at Ledo Pizza in Easton as a fundraiser for the scholarship. The event included a silent auction featuring items donated by UM Shore Regional Health nurses and local businesses, and was hosted by local artist Josepha Price of Half Moon Studio, LLC with Karaoke services donated by Bobby Sweitzer of Tilghman Island. In attendance were a host of nurses and other staff as well as family and friends. On July 10, Baker, Ruby and other unit staff presented a check for the event proceeds — $1315.00 — to Lucie Hughes, vice president for Institutional Advancement for the College and executive director of the Chesapeake College Foundation.
“This generous gift is an excellent testimonial to Ruth Ann and the dedication and admiration she inspires in all who have the privilege of working with her,” Hughes said. “We at the College have been so impressed and grateful for the outpouring of support for the Ruth Ann Jones Scholarship – many gifts have come in from individuals who have worked with her in some capacity over the years and were eager to participate in honoring her.”
Jones, who was named senior vice president, Patient Care Services and chief nursing officer at UM Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) in May 2016, is widely known for her nursing and executive leadership, her unwavering support for excellence in all aspects of nursing care, and her extensive knowledge of the five-county region served by the health care network.
“I am amazed and very touched by this fundraiser and the generous scholarship support from all who participated,” she said. “In addition to their dedication to their patients and Shore Regional Health, the 2 East Multispecialty Care nurses, nurse techs and other staff have supported many causes that make a positive difference in the communities we serve.”
According to Baker, recent projects supported by the unit’s “2 East Gives Back” initiative include providing holiday gifts for local elderly and for veterans at Perry Point Hospital, raising money to donate to the Bayside Quilters of the Eastern Shore, donating “chemo bins” with personal care items for cancer patients receiving treatment at the Cancer Center, and collecting pet food and supplies for the local humane societies.
“Our philosophy is that together we can make a difference and we are determined to give back to the community,” she says. “This time we chose to focus on raising money to benefit the Ruth Ann Jones Endowed Scholarship at Chesapeake College because we wanted to honor Ruth Ann and acknowledge her endless commitment, encouragement, support and dedication for our organization and our community.”
Jones has served UM SRH in varied capacities since 1974, and has received awards and honors from diverse educational and health care organizations. She is a member of the advisory boards for Chesapeake College School of Nursing and the Salisbury University School of Nursing, the Maryland Organization of Nurse Executives, the American Organization of Nurse Executives, the Health Information and Management System Society and the Health Care Education Association.
The Ruth Ann Jones Scholarship was established in May, 2017, when Jones was one of two honorees at Chesapeake College’s annual Pride of the Peake celebration. It is open to any resident of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s or Talbot County who is enrolled in a health professions program at Chesapeake College. Offerings include Nursing (RN), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Surgical Tech (ST) and Radiologic Tech (RT). The scholarship requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and may be used for tuition, fees and textbooks.
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