Pasco-Hernando State College Volume XII, Issue II - Fall 2018 | Page 25

LARSHIP
spotlight:
Danielle Wineberger
Hernando Healthcare Foundation, Inc. First Generation Healthcare Scholarship
Hometown: Brooksville, Florida
What influenced your decision to attend PHSC?
I originally attended PHSC immediately from graduating high
school. I took general education courses, working toward
my associate’s degree. At that time, I began my career in law
enforcement and due to the rigorous nature of the academy, I
decided to take a break from my education. I worked in corrections
for four years and met my husband who worked at the same
facility. Although I thought this was the career choice I wanted,
I eventually realized the long hours and conditions were not
desirable to me. My husband decided to leave law enforcement
and began working toward his pre-requisites for the PHSC nursing
program. While helping him study, I realized that it was also a field
I would be interested in. I decided to leave my job and pursue my
degree in nursing as well. PHSC has allowed me to start a career
path that will one day be beneficial to my entire family.
What are you studying?
I was accepted into the generic registered nursing program
located on the West Campus. I have completed my first semester
and will be graduating in December 2019.
What is your fondest PHSC memory?
I was required to take microbiology as a pre-requisite. Despite
hearing how difficult the class was, I decided to take it during the
summer semester. I was also five months pregnant at the time, so
listening to Dr. Moore on the North Campus explain about multiple
harmful bugs and viruses caused anxiety. However, microbiology
turned out to be my favorite class. Dr. Moore was such a fantastic
professor that I am now interested in working in infection control in
the nursing field.
Is there someone at PHSC that you admire and why?
During my first semester of the nursing program, I had Mrs.
Thompson as my clinical instructor. Mrs. Thompson is an
advanced registered nurse practitioner. Initially, an individual
who had reached the pinnacle of the same career I desired
intimidated me. I was just starting out and had no experience in
the medical field. Mrs. Thompson was extremely knowledgeable
and approachable. She went out of her way to find new and
exciting experiences for her clinical students. I hope to one day
also become a professional and successful nurse practitioner like
Mrs. Thompson.
What did receiving this PHSC Foundation scholarship
mean to you?
The PHSC Foundation scholarship I received means everything to
me. My husband and I are both full-time students in the nursing
program. We have three children and although my husband does
receive a military pension and GI bill, it does not cover everything.
Without the aid of the scholarships, I would either eventually have
substantial student loans or be unable to attend school at all. This
scholarship has allowed me to invest in my family’s future.
What does the future hold for you?
Currently, I am focusing toward completing the RN program and
graduating in December 2019. Immediately after graduating, I
plan on enrolling in the PHSC bachelor’s program for nursing and
receive a direct commission into the Navy Nursing Corps.
Why do you think philanthropy matters?
Through the generosity of the Hernando Healthcare Foundation,
who provided my scholarship, I have been able to focus on my
education. It has meant the world to me and I cannot put into
words how important this is to my family. I know one day we will
all benefit from these generous donations. I hope to one day be in
the position where I am able to assist someone else as I have been
helped. We are all a community and it is important that we try to
help each other. It is additionally essential for those who receive
the benefit to use it as intended and put themselves in a position
to give back.
Would you like to say anything to those who make
scholarship opportunities happen for the students
of PHSC?
I am eternally grateful for your generosity. Your support has
changed my family for the better. Receiving a Foundation
scholarship has not only allowed me to become more financially
stable, but to also teach my children the value of good grades and
how important hard work is to their future. Thank you.
To support a deserving student, visit foundation.phsc.edu
FALL 2018
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