$25,000 Gift to Help Martin Memorial Enhance Nursing Education

As a former nurse, Helen Thomas recognized the critical role nursing education plays in providing exceptional health care.

As a result, Martin Memorial recently received a $25,000 grant from the William and Helen Thomas Charitable Trust. The funds will be used to support nursing education and related projects as Martin Memorial works toward advancing the clinical and leadership role of nursing at the bedside.

“Helen Thomas understood that nurses play a critical role in the health care of the community,” said Bonney A. Johnson, vice president and senior trust officer for U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management, which serves as a trustee. “The Thomases recognized that Martin Memorial is an institution that gives back to the community and they wanted to help the health system continue to provide access to high-quality care.”

(Pictured in the photo, Bonney Johnson [far right] presents a check to Karen Ripper, senior vice president and chief nursing officer of Martin Memorial, nurse Valerie Kuhn; Sharon Kinane, magnet recognition coordinator for Martin Memorial; and nurse Tammy Samanka.)

Support from the William and Helen Thomas Charitable Trust will assist nurses at Martin Memorial by providing financial support in their efforts to achieve advanced nursing certifications and continued educational advancement. It will also assist senior nursing staff in providing mentoring and one-on-one coaching to newer nurses that will help them build confidence and develop bedside leadership skills.

“We are extremely grateful to the William and Helen Thomas Charitable Trust for assisting us in enhancing the education and training of our nursing staff,” said Karen Ripper, senior vice president and chief nursing officer for Martin Memorial. “This investment in nurses will help us continue to provide extraordinary health care to the community.”

The William and Helen Thomas Charitable Trust was created to maintain the long-time Stuart residents’ commitment to philanthropy and giving back to the community. Prior to his death in 2001, William Thomas was a salesman for ARCO Company and served as Board Chairman of Enabling Technologies Braille Embossers and Printers. Before her death in 2005, Helen Thomas worked as a nurse and was a staunch supporter of medical education. Since 2001, the trust has provided approximately $3 million to local charities, primarily in St. Lucie, Martin and Palm Beach counties.