May 9, 2014
Jane Sudela, who will graduate in 2014 from College of the Mainland’s Associate Degree Nursing Program, is one of the students to benefit from Mainland Medical Auxiliary scholarships. Mainland Medical Auxiliary recently donated $10,000 to fund scholarships for nursing students.

Nursing students face many pressures – class assignments, labs, work and often family responsibilities. Thanks to the Mainland Medical Auxiliary, students in the College of the Mainland nursing programs are relieved of one stressor: finances.

Continuing its longstanding support for COM nursing programs, Mainland Medical Auxiliary has donated $10,000 to fund scholarships for students in the associate degree nursing, licensed vocational nurse and certified nurse assistant programs at COM.

“The scholarship has allowed me to not have to stress out about work and to focus on what’s important, which is getting my degree. It pays for my classes and helps me with books and other supplies I need,” said Jane Sudela, of Pearland, a Mainland Medical Auxiliary Scholarship recipient.

The Mainland Medical Auxiliary has served the community since 1958 and raises funds through the Mainland Medical Center Gift Shop and other fundraisers.
 
“The scholarship funds are a tremendous help to students,” said Gay Reeves, COM director of nursing. “We have had nursing students graduate because they received money from Mainland Medical Auxiliary. Without their support, they couldn’t have done it.”
 
Sudela is one of those students. She will graduate in June with an associate degree in nursing, with the goal of pursuing a career in pediatrics.
 
“I don’t know where I would be without those scholarships,” she said. “(COM Foundation administrative assistant) Tammy Stafford was helpful in finding the right scholarships for me. It’s a blessing.”

COM Foundation scholarship application system will reopen May 16. For more information, visit www.com.edu/scholarships.