Mechanicsville Specialty Care CNAs earn scholarships

Misty Van Fossen (left) and Kaci Ginn (right) have been recognized as two winners out of 20 total scholarships from the Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA) Foundation.

As a scholarship winner, each will receive $1,500 to continue their health care education at an accredited school of nursing, long-term care or health administration program, or physical/occupational therapy program. Van Fossen is planning to pursue a career in nursing and Ginn plans to advance her education in administration.

“The IHCA Foundation is committed to helping develop experienced professionals to meet the growing needs of Iowans for long-term care. This scholarship program provides an important opportunity for the scholarship recipients to advance their knowledge and skills in one of the fastest growing professions in the nation,” said Lori Ristau, vice president of strategic communications and media at IHCA. “Receiving an IHCA Foundation scholarship is a significant accomplishment and demonstrates a strong commitment to providing quality long-term care for others.”

Scholarship applicants are evaluated by the IHCA Foundation board of directors based upon the applicant’s experience, recommendations and future educational and career goals in long-term care.

 “I am so proud of both these young women,” says Administrator Tina Wendt. “They have both shown great skill and compassion in their work with our residents. These scholarships will put them on the path to a lifelong career that many will benefit from.”

Mechanicsville Specialty Care is a 39-bed skilled nursing facility offering outpatient rehabilitation services, skilled nursing care, long term care and hospice care. Mechanicsville Specialty Care is owned and operated by West Des Moines-based Care Initiatives, Iowa’s largest not-for-profit skilled nursing care and senior care provider.  Care Initiatives and Care Initiatives Hospice operate 58 skilled nursing, rehabilitation, Alzheimer’s/dementia, assisted living and hospice locations throughout Iowa. For more information about Care Initiatives or Mechanicsville Specialty Care, visit careinitiatives.org or call 563.432.7235.