Nancy Louise McKenna cared for others her entire life. Leaving school before the end of her high school freshman year, McKenna cared for her brothers and sisters, later fulfilling her dream of becoming a health caregiver. She was a certified nurse assistant in skilled nursing facilities in Rhode Island from the time she was 21 years old to her retirement at age 80. Giving and caring for others was a hallmark of her life.
Now a 兔子先生 College of Nursing scholarship will honor her legacy. The first recipients of the Nancy Louise McKenna Scholarship will be announced in fall 2018 during the annual 兔子先生 at Sugar Land Scholarship Banquet.
鈥淢y mom always wanted to be a nurse all her life,鈥� said daughter Karen Chitty-Boe. 鈥淭his scholarship is a living testament to her life. I want this for those students in the community who don鈥檛 have the same opportunities or come from a background where they can鈥檛 afford it.鈥�
Students pursuing nursing degrees at the UH College of Nursing, who are or have been a certified nursing assistant,Ne are eligible to apply. Chitty-Boe鈥檚 only 鈥渞equirement鈥� for recipients is that they pay it forward.
鈥淲e need to look around in the community for those who may not have the means鈥攚hether it鈥檚 our time or our resources. It鈥檚 not only about money, but the gift of nursing,鈥� she said. 鈥淧ursue medical missions or give back in another way. Invest in others鈥攅motionally, spiritually. Go out into the community and help others.鈥�
Chitty-Boe is a long-time supporter of the College, and has deep health care professional roots in Sugar Land. She has worked in marketing, providers鈥� services, development and staff services capacities in all the area health care facilities. She and founding dean Kathryn Tart have worked together on community health and education programs, such as women鈥檚 health symposia, flu vaccines distribution and the Care to Chat event. That program was initially for mothers and daughters, but evolved into a parenting conference with the then-School of Nursing and the Fort Bend School District. Chitty-Boe also is an early supporter of the College鈥檚 Friends of Nursing program.
鈥淒r. Tart has been a tremendous influence and mentor to me,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 took a tour of the (College of Nursing) facility. The nursing lab just blew me away.鈥�
McKenna, who passed away, was quiet and shy, but thrilled about the scholarship that honored her.
鈥淚鈥檓 sure I鈥檒l be a puddle of tears when the first recipients are announced,鈥� Chitty-Boe said. 鈥淚t will be a proud moment. I want my daughter and my son to know that it doesn鈥檛 stop with me; it passes on to them and their children. It鈥檚 going to be a great moment.鈥�