‘An Investment in Our Community’ Takes Hold at Thompson
Morgan Lanich is not one to sit still. She likes to keep moving and prefers not knowing how her day will unfold, which is why the Palmyra mother of three can’t wait to be a registered nurse.
Morgan graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor’s in sociology and after eight years as a stay-at-home mom got a job as a registrar in a local emergency department. She chose to pursue a future in nursing after witnessing coworkers fly into action with a patient in cardiac arrest. “I was like, ‘I want to be a part of this,’” she recalled.
The first step was becoming a patient care technician, assisting doctors and nurses with tasks including running EKG tests, collecting specimens, transporting patients, and stocking supplies. The next step was enrolling in the nursing program at Finger Lakes Community College while continuing to work. This past June, after the first year of her two-year program at FLCC, she continued working as a patient care technician but transferred from her original hospital to Thompson.
Between work, home, and school, Morgan has a lot on her plate. Thankfully, she’s getting a boost from her new employer.
Our health system is covering the tuition for her second year of nursing school. In addition, the F.F. Thompson Foundation is providing her with a stipend from its Healthcare Education Fund. With this, she doesn’t have to contend with a loss in income while scaling back her hours to focus on her studies as well as care for her family, her home, and herself.
“You can’t really say ‘no’ to any of that!” Morgan said, calling the fund’s help “amazing.”
According to Thompson Health Foundation Director Heather Rickett, the Healthcare Education Fund is designed to assist entry-level Thompson associates interested in advancing their careers. The fund is growing thanks in part to recent community events including the health system’s annual Golf Tournament and its Gala.
Heather said donors are aware of potential barriers standing in the way of many people looking for professional growth, and they feel good about helping. Stipends provide assistance for expenses such as lost wages, childcare, and transportation, so working and going to school is more financially achievable.
“This initiative is an investment in our community, which will benefit from a more skilled, stable workforce,” Heather said.
The Healthcare Education Fund has its origins in a program launched in 2019 at our nursing home, the M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center. A donor grateful for his wife’s care made it possible for a group of four certified nursing assistants (CNAs) to pursue their dreams of becoming licensed practical nurses (LPNs). The CNA-to-LPN program, as it became known, grew from there, with more donors getting on board and the initiative expanding to entry-level positions in the hospital.
As for Morgan, she’s scheduled to graduate from her RN program in May 2023. In the meantime, she’s enjoying learning from the RNs in our Emergency Department, where she said everyone is helpful whenever she has questions.
“I’m excited to step into that role,” she said, “especially after working with them.”
To support the Health Education Fund and help more of our associates achieve their dreams, visit www.ThompsonHealth.com/Donate.