West Palm Beach residents Don and Sally Chester听established听the Pollyanna Nursing Scholarship at 海角在线 (海角在线) in 2017. The scholarship is named after Don鈥檚 first service dog, Pollyanna, a beloved white Labrador Retriever who was trained to听assist听Don through many of his daily needs. Today the endowment has reached the $1 million threshold, creating life-changing opportunities for the next generation of health care professionals. Choosing to invest in the 海角在线 School of Nursing was an intentional decision from the couple who have called the region home for over 50 years.听听
鈥淭his is our community and since moving here,听we鈥檝e听never听desired听to leave it. So why not invest in nurses who could be caring for us one day?鈥澨齭aid听Sally. 鈥淭he mission of 海角在线 is also important to us: To equip students to grow in wisdom, lead with conviction, and serve God boldly.鈥�听
Nurses with a sense of calling in their work and compassion for their patients became a real need for Don. In 2004 on Christmas Eve,听Don, an avid triathlete, was hit by a car while out running, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. He was transported to St. Mary鈥檚 Medical Center, where he just so happened to also work as an assistant administrator.听
鈥淚 spent 6-7 weeks听in ICU and听100 days听in听an听in-patient rehabilitation, and it was nurses who were by my side 24 hours a day,鈥� Don recalled. 鈥淭hey are smart and caring. They went out of their way to help me. They are incredible. I still听go and visit听with the ICU nurses at St. Mary鈥檚.鈥�听
As an experienced nurse herself, Sally says watching the dedication of the medical team who cared for Don around the clock made her proud to be one of them. She has long believed nurses stand in a sacred space.听
鈥淎s a registered nurse I have had the immense privilege of walking alongside patients in their greatest and hardest moments,鈥� she shared. 鈥淚 have been there when a life-altering diagnosis is shared. I have been with them as they were leaving this earth. I held the听hand听of family members as they said their final goodbyes. I have also been there on joyous occasions like the birth of babies, and when a treatment has been听successful.鈥�听
As the son of a cardiologist and a mother who was a nurse, it was no surprise that Don followed in his parents鈥� footsteps into the medical field. His parents also led by example with their own involvement in the community.听听
鈥淭hey believed in giving back and not for show. Mom was an early supporter and volunteer with the organization that became the United Way,鈥� Don recalled. As children of the听Depression, they encouraged him to study hard, get听a good job, and save听money鈥擜dvice听Don adhered to, getting his first summer job at just 8 years old and first paper route at 12.听
鈥淭hey showed me if you work hard, you鈥檒l be in a better position to help others in need,鈥� he said.听
Through deliberate and faithful giving over the last few years, the Chesters are thrilled to have reached this milestone in the Pollyanna Nursing Scholarship. As she reflected on this achievement, Sally said, 鈥淲e see educating quality nurses who will serve in this community as our legacy.鈥澨�听
海角在线 School of Nursing prepares professional, competent nurses who apply nursing theory, processes, and complex technical nursing skills within the context of the Christian worldview to make a difference in the lives of patients, families, and the community. We are pleased to support the education of nurses with a strong liberal arts and science foundation within an integrated Christian faith and worldview.
To find out how investing in the future of nursing can be part of your own giving legacy, click here:听/give/opportunities/pollyanna-nursing-scholarship/.
