Nursing Endowed Scholarships

Regina Anim-Addo grew up in Kumasi, Ghana, where life was not always easy. As a young woman, she had a desire to become a nurse, but there were no opportunities locally. After reading about City College of New York's nursing program, she set a goal of someday going there to get an education.
By age 18, she saved enough money to come to New York, only to discover on arrival that she did not have enough to attend college. Unable to forego her dream, she immediately went to work at three different jobs: stocking shelves in a grocery store, driving a forklift at night, and washing dishes. She lived at the YWCA to help defray living expenses.

In 1984, Regina became a RN and began working full time at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and at INOVA Fairfax Hospital. Receiving a diploma must have been an exciting time for her, second only to being able to bring her son to the United States. It was necessary for him to stay behind in Ghana with his grandmother while his mother pursued an education. In 1993, she earned an MSN from George Mason University. Additional certifications qualified her as a member of the cardiovascular operating room team at INOVA Fairfax Hospital.

On a return trip to Ghana in 1996, Regina met a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her baptism six years later was yet another milestone in her life. Not long after Regina was baptized, she was diagnosed with cancer and realized her life would not be a long one. After hearing a story on the radio about the 2002-03 SARS epidemic in China, she decided to leave a gift to BYU College of Nursing. The report included the story of a BYU nursing student in China who conveyed her faith in God and courage to stick it out and not flee the country as most westerners were doing. The student, Robin Kartchner Barker, was completing her BYU ORCA research on Chinese women's perceptions of childbearing.

At the time of her death, Regina lived in Woodbridge, Virginia, where she established a friendship with her Home Teacher, Patrick Graff. At her request, he completed the paper work to establish the Regina Anim-Addo Endowed Scholarship at BYU College of Nursing. Regina's desire was that the money be used to fund scholarships for students who displayed a desire to pursue a nursing career and who exhibited a determination to work hard at improving themselves.

Ann was born on June 6, 1931, and was raised in Price, Utah. After graduating from high school she went to the University of Utah, receiving high marks in all of her classes. Ann had four sisters and five brothers, all of whom put themselves through college.

Upon graduation, she went to Cornell University in New York for post-graduate work, then returned to do her nurse’s training at LDS Hospital, where she graduated as a registered nurse. While there, Ann filled out a card indicating that in case of a national emergency, she would serve as a nurse in the Army.

When World War II broke out in 1941, she received a draft notice, but she disregarded it because she didn’t want to go. After receiving a second notice, she also got a phone call from the Army stating that if transportation was a problem, they would send a staff car. Ann got on a train and traveled to San Francisco and joined the Army.

Ann’s first assignment was to travel with wounded soldiers brought to the west coast. She would accompany them by train back east, and then from New York, she would meet another group back to the west coast. Eventually, she became a commander supervising other nurses. She later served under General Patton in Needles, California. General Patton knew Ann personally and would always ask for Lieutenant Prince (Ann’s maiden name). Ann received many letters of commendation.

Ann received an honorable discharge from the Army in December of 1945. She immediately went into private duty nursing, where she remained until she retired in 1977. She was a surgical nurse.

Ann met Robert Burger in 1952 in San Francisco while she was caring for his mother. They were married July 1953 in Las Vegas. Bob later joined the LDS Church, and in 1964, they were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple. The Burgers had no children of their own.

Bob and Ann enjoyed a long and happy life together. They were devoted to each other and enjoyed traveling all over the world. She loved to host parties and cook and enjoyed taking meals to sick. She also loved to serve people through nursing. Years ago, when the Church was involved in the Indian Student Placement Program, Ann would get up early in the morning to assist in checking the arriving Indian students and giving them shots.

Of all of Ann’s accomplishments here on earth, the most important has been her love and denotation to her husband and her faithfulness to the Church. Ann truly loved the Lord.

Paul and Susan Gilbert created the Lynn Clark Callister Endowed Scholarship in honor of Paul's sister, Lynn Callister. Lynn is a respected and prolific author and professor at BYU College of Nursing. She graduated from BYU magna cum laude and went on to earn her master’s degree in maternal and child nursing from Wichita State University and her Ph.D. from the University of Utah. Lynn began teaching at the College of Nursing in 1988.

Susan said the scholarship is for someone who exemplifies the qualities of Lynn Callister: hard work, compassion, intelligence, dedication, selflessness, and integrity.

“She has dedicated over 20 years to advancing nursing at BYU,” Susan said. “She exemplifies the caring and dedication of a good nurse. She cares about training others to follow in her footsteps.”

During her time at BYU, Lynn has been a leader on many college and university committees. Her nursing scholarship has contributed to advancing research within the college. Lynn has been a reviewer for numerous journals and publications such as “Journal of Perinatal Education” and “Women’s Health.” She has received many honors and awards for her excellence as a nurse educator, including becoming a 2003 Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. She was recently awarded the BYU College of Nursing Faculty Professorship of the Healer’s Art. She is the first to receive this award.

Paul and Susan Gilber met while attending BYU. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple. After graduating from BYU, Paul in history and Susan in English and speech, Paul attended law school at the University of California at Berkley. Susan later attended law school at Arizona State University. They have four children, all graduates of BYU, and 19 grandchildren. This scholarship will support nursing student education for years to come. It will be a great blessing to them in developing a life-long career as a nurse. Thank you, Paul and Susan Gilbert and Dr. Lynn Callister.

Natalia Ann Garner Christiansen, 23, extraordinary wife, mother, daughter, sister, and peacemaker, passed away February 5, 2006, in Salt Lake City, Utah following a sudden stroke. She was born October 16, 1982, in Pocatello, Idaho, daughter of Rickey and Doris Armatage Garner. Married Matt Christiansen, May 23, 2003, in the Bountiful LDS Temple. She graduated from Woods Cross High School, class of 2001. She was employed as a medical assistant for Dr. Sam Wilson. Natalia enjoyed camping, playing games, all sports and is a huge Jazz fan. She was passionate about her family, especially Matt and her twin sons. Natalia touched the hearts of everyone she came in contact with.

Shirlee Esplin was among BYU College of Nursing graduates in the class of 1972. She worked as an RN at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, Provo, Utah for a few months following graduation and then accepted a nursing position in Montana. En route to her new employment, she died as the result of a tragic automobile accident.

When the Class of 1972 assembled for their 10-year reunion, they paid tribute to their classmate by initiating an endowed scholarship in her name. Members of the class contributed to the fund, as did Shirelee's parents, Darlo and Grace Esplin.

Classmate Lois Lang, said, "We all loved Shirlee. She looked like Haley Mills, only with brown eyes. She was pretty, smart, and likeable. She seemed so ready to serve, to give, to live, to be, to do - and her life was snuffed out. We always mentioned it when we were together. We wanted to honor Shirlee, to remember her, to make her life count."

"We hoped the scholarship recipients would be somewhat like Shirlee - bright, with loads of personality," said Lang. "We were thrilled when we discovered that Shirlee's niece, Heidi Hafen, received the Shirlee Esplin Scholarship [2008]. This was fitting. Heidi has red hair and Shirlee always used to say that she wanted a cute little boy of her own with red hair!"

Mrs. Vila C. Allen of Salt Lake City, Utah provided the balance for the amount necessary to establish an endowed scholarship. As a young woman, she wished to become a nurse, but due to the death of her father, it was necessary to forego the opportunity and work to support her family. At age 85 her love of the nursing persisted, and she extended her support of the nursing program at Ricks College to include BYU College of Nursing scholarships. Her generosity continues to bless the lives of scholarship recipients.

Roy Thornton George was born in 1916. Except for his military service in Europe during World War II, Roy lived his whole life in Crawford County Illinois. As a youth he worked with his father on their farm. Following his military service, Roy worked for 39 years at the Briggs Pottery plant in Robinson. Illinois making toilet bowls. Not a glamorous job, but one requiring strength and skill. Think about what our world would be like without the product of his labor.

Donella Jean Best was born in 1925 in Robinson, Crawford County, Illinois. After graduation from High School, she worked as a waitress in various diners in Robinson. She loved birds and flowers. Donella and Roy would sit in their backyard in the evening and watch birds flying in and out of their many bird houses.

Roy and Donella found each other and married later in life and had no children. They lived in a small (2 bedroom, 850 square foot) house on a tree lined street in Robinson, Illinois. They were people of modest means who did not have funds for travel or exotic vacations. An extravagance for them was a trip to Indianapolis for dinner and a concert by a favorite country singer.

Neither Roy nor Donella had the opportunity to go to college, but both were well read and stayed abreast of world affairs. They valued work and education. Though not active in any church, they lived Christ-like lives of love and service.

The scholarship recipient can honor Roy and Donella by dedicating themselves to their studies, learning the value of work and serving others with Christ-like compassion.

Scholarship made possible by the donation from Marvin & Colleen Rainsdon

Marvin J Rainsdon was raised on a farm in Southeastern Idaho and graduated from Snake River High School. After one year at Ricks College, he served in the Chile Concepcion Mission. After his mission, Marvin attended BYU earning a degree in Accounting in 1979. While at BYU, Marvin met and married Colleen Wilkinson.

Colleen Wilkinson was born in Provo while her father was attending BYU. She was raised in Ogden, Utah and graduated from Ben Lomond High. After graduation she attended Weber State for a year before transferring to BYU where she earned a degree in Library Technology.

After graduation from BYU in 1979, Marvin accepted a Job with Marathon Oil Company. He worked for Marathon for the next 34 and a half years. His work took them to Ohio, Illinois, Japan, Texas, Ireland, Russia and Equatorial Guinea. During this time they raised three children, all of whom graduated from BYU.

When Marvin and Colleen moved to Robinson, Illinois in 1980, they were fortunate to live next door to Roy and Donella George. They became fast friends despite the difference in age. After two short years in Robinson, Marvin and Colleen were transferred back to Ohio. They stayed in contact with the Georges over the years through letters, phone calls and the occasional visit. Roy died of cancer in 1989 at the age of 73. Following Donella's death in 2015 at the age of 90, Marvin and Colleen were surprised to learn that they had been named as beneficiaries of Donella's modest estate. To honor Roy and Donella George, Marvin and Colleen Rainsdon have established this scholarship in their name.

To Amanda Howard's delight, she was accepted at BYU College of Nursing in 2002. A high honors student at Cimarron-Memorial High School (Las Vegas, NV) and recipient of the Nevada Silver Scholar Award, Amanda had a desire to make her life meaningful by directing her love of chemistry and healthcare to the study of nursing—an excellent profession for one with Amanda’s exceptional ability to comfort and befriend everyone she met. Her special love for children prompted a desire to become a pediatric oncology nurse.

Nearing the end of her third semester of nursing, and after many months of appointments with medical specialists, Amanda was diagnosed with Acute Lyumphoblast Leukemia. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments followed. Miraculously she was able to survive nearly two more years, during which time her spiritual strength never faltered. Amanda's passing July 1, 2005 precluded receiving a BS in nursing. She was awarded an honorary degree by BYU College of Nursing at the April, 2006 commencement ceremony.

In memory of their beloved daughter, Mark J. and Debbie Howard established the Amanda Howard Nursing Scholarship. Recipients are encouraged to exemplify Amanda’s talents and magnify the nursing profession as she planned to do.

Mr. and Mrs. Howard were called to preside over the Philippines Manila Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Manila, Philippines, beginning their service May, 2008.

In addition to Amanda, Mark and Debbie are parents of two sons and a daughter.

Helen Leon was born in Raymond, Alberta, Canada and graduated from high school in Vancouver. She and her husband, Edward, were married in New York by Elder Earl C. Tingey, who was their Bishop at the time. "I always knew Edward would join the church," says Helen which he did, just five years later. They lived in New York for over 20 years. Following Edward's passing, Helen retired to Orlando, Florida.

A lawyer by profession, Edward was co-founder of the Children's Blood Foundation at Cornell Medical Center (now New York Presbyterian Hospital). Helen served on the foundation board of Orlando Regional Medical Center, Orlando, FL. She and Edward enjoyed traveling abroad, and she remembers a month-long stay in Africa as one of their favorite excursions.

The Leons are parents of a son, whose daughter, Aliisa is an airline stewardess and hopes to study law at BYU. Helen loves to visit BYU whenever possible and especially enjoys attending the annual Women's Conference. Reading and sewing are favorite hobbies, but being with her grandchildren surpasses all other interests.

Neither Edward nor Helen attended BYU; however, because of their keen interest in the American Indian Program sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the 1970s and their desire to provide the means by which native Americans could receive a nursing education, the Leons established the Edward and Helen Leon Scholarship, to be awarded to students of American Indian descent. Thirty years later, their generosity continues to bless many lives.

In 2008 as a tribute to their recently retired president and chief executive officer, William H. Nelson, Intermountain Healthcare established an endowed scholarship for nursing students at Brigham Young University in his name.

Mr. Nelson joined Intermountain Healthcare in 1975, the organization's start-up year. As a member of the management team, he helped renovate and rebuild many of the existing facilities. In the 1980s he was instrumental in developing one of the first computer systems in the nation to network facilities and allow for detailed analysis and management of hospital costs.

Under his direction, Intermountain Healthcare hospitals and clinics provided millions of dollars in financial assistance to patients who were unable to pay for medical care. He also spearheaded development of dozens of partnerships with community agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community clinics that care for low-income, uninsured and homeless people.

For over three decades he was a guiding force that helped Intermountain Healthcare become one of the nation's most respected medical organizations.

"Bill" Nelson's volunteer leadership roles are numerous, including Utah Symphony & Opera, Westminister College, the Utah Shakespearean Festival, the United Way of Greater Salt Lake, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was presented the Compassionate Leader Award by United Way in 2007; he also received the Father of the Year Award from the Utah Chapter of the American Diabetes Association. In addition, he was the first recipient of the National Healthcare Leadership Award presented by the National Center for Healthcare Leadership.

Mr. Nelson and his wife, Christine, have eight children. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor's degree in accounting and earned an MBA from the University of Southern California.

Brigham Young University holds a special place in the heart of Edward and Joan Quinn. Although neither of them graduated from BYU, all of their 12 children are BYU graduates and many of their grandchildren attended the university.

"BYU has been such a marvelous experience for all our children and our grandchildren," Joan said. "I'm thrilled with the moral values they learn, for the spiritual experiences they have, and the opportunities they have to serve."

In order to help others enjoy a similar experience at BYU, the Quinn's endowed a scholarship at the College of Nursing in 2008. The scholarship reflects the Quinn's love for BYU and the nursing profession. Joan earned her degree in nursing and blessed the lives of many through service throughout her life.

Shortly after Edward returned from military service in Korea, the couple was married in 1951 by Spencer W. Kimball, an Apostle for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the time.

"To have a successful marriage you need to follow certain patterns," Edward said. "Not that each marriage is exactly the same, but there are certain principles that, if applied, can be used to raise righteous and worthy families."

Edward and Joan's children remember their parents' legacy of service. The couple consistently served those around them, silently, with no need for acclaim. The children learned discipline, honor and duty from their father and compassion from their mother.

"There was a woman in our ward who had cancer, and my mother would go over every morning at 5:30 and take care of Elda," daughter Christine said. "When I asked [Mother] about that service at one point and commented on how wonderful it was that she did that service she said, 'Oh Christine, it's such a privilege to be able to take care of Elda.'"

Now, students at BYU College of Nursing have the privilege of benefiting from the Quinns' continued service.

As one reads the history of Emeline Grover Rich, the fifth wife of Apostle Charles C. Rich, he/she is impressed with the positive qualities of her life--her power of decision, her belief in divine revelation, and her willingness to obey its call. With the strength of faith and mind, she accepted the challenge of plural marriage when she was less than 18 years of age. A woman of iron determination and willful decision, nothing stood in her way when she felt she was right.

As a midwife, she brought hundreds of babies into the world. Emeline Grover Rich always had great faith in her own potentiality to master difficulties. As long as she lived, she was alert to new ideas and was a strong advocate of formal education. But her great personal strength was her industry.

In the Autumn of 1839, the Grover family moved from Quincy, Illinois, to Nauvoo. Emeline, the second oldest child, at nine year of age, found employment in the homes of Nauvoo. This experience, exclaimed Emeline, "Aroused within me an intense interest for the caring of the sick which later became a part of my life's work." Less than two weeks after her marriage, Emeline joined the Rich families who were among the first groups of Saints to leave Nauvoo and cross the Mississippi on the long trek to the Salt Lake Valley.

In June, the family arrived at Mount Pisgah, Iowa, 172 miles distance from Nauvoo.

"We started on our journey across the plains on June 14, 1847. On account of the government called for 500 volunteers (Mormon Battalion) from our company for the Mexican War, it took all our teamsters, but as we had prepared to leave, the wives and daughters took up the whips to drive the ox teams across the plains. They either had to do this or stay behind, and that they did not desire to do. Some of the teams were very wild. I was one of the number that drove an ox team from Winter Quarters to the Salt Lake Valley. 1 walked all the way and missed day's driving. Very scantily clad and poorly fed as we were, we truly had a hard journey, but one and glad were we when we saw before us the Salt Lake Valley."

This pioneer lady shared in the experiences of the Salt Lake Valley, San Bernardino, Little can be said that will add to nor detract from Centerville, and finally the Bear Lake Valley the nobility of these Saints. These giants were the elect of the nineteenth century humanity.

Sometimes you just do things. That's why Gary Simonsen and his wife of 19 years, Linda, decided to fund an endowed scholarship at the BYU College of Nursing in honor of Gary's first wife, Ralene.

"Ralene fought with cancer and we felt that we needed to do something towards the medical side," Gary said. "I have a great love for BYU so naturally we thought of the BYU College of Nursing. We wanted to help young people as they glide into society."

Ralene was an effervescent individual who served people through church organizations, including the Relief Society, and gave of her time to help people in need.

"She served a lot of people in a lot of ways," Gary said. "I would hope that the individuals who receive this award would use their abilities to learn as a result of the scholarship to go forth and help others."

The desire to serve others isn't a quality unique to Ralene. Gary and Linda continue to bless the lives of others through humanitarian service. They were among the first couples to serve as Area Welfare Agents for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were assigned to oversee all welfare activities and programs in the South Pacific area which, including training at the individual, ward, branch, stake, district and mission levels. In an area subject to many natural disasters each year, the Simonsens often oversaw how to distribute humanitarian aid.

"It all ties together with helping people" Gary said. "That includes the humanitarian side; that's why we came up with the scholarship at the BYU College of Nursing."

The legacy of helping people has expanded to include the Simonsen's children. Gary has three daughters who work in the nursing field.

In Pocatello, Idaho during the Great Depression and World War II, Mr. & Mrs. Elbert John Hutchinson raised a family of 13 children. The oldest and youngest daughters, Elaine and Janice, were devoted to one another. Their achievements and charity to others made it natural for donor Walter R. Montgomery to name a scholarship for them. BYU College of Nursing is honored to distribute funds to nursing students for continuance of their final two years of study from The Elaine Hutchinson Stivers and Janice Hutchinson Montgomery Endowed Scholarship.

At Elaine Hutchinson Stivers' funeral in 2005 her brother-in-law commented, "Elaine is a good person. She makes others feel happy. She makes them feel good about themselves. . . Growing up, Elaine's little sisters followed her around. She taught them songs and how to enjoy life, taking them places and enlarging their understanding. Elaine teased her sisters in a gentle, kind way. She included all in her life. She was not exclusive."

Among Elaine's "favorites" were traveling, enjoying the earth's beauties, flowers, and small children. Though she did not have children of her own, she loved her nieces and nephews. Making birthday cakes and selecting special gifts for each one was an special joy. She took pleasure in observing children at the mall and elsewhere. Animals were also high on her list—it was a well-known fact that her dog ran the house, telling her when to eat and when to go to bed.

Janice Hutchinson Montgomery, Elaine's youngest sister, became an RN in 1958, having received a small loan and encouragement to do so from Elaine. Beginning in 1961 Janice served five years active duty as a nurse in the U. S. Air Force where she attained the rank of Captain. Through her military service she met Walter "Monty" Montgomery, a Lieutenant Colonel in the U. S. Air Force. The couple was married in 1966 and became the parents of six children, all of whom graduated from Brigham Young University.

In addition to Janice's military service, her nursing career included working in a doctor's office and in public hospitals in Idaho and California. She was also a rehabilitation nurse in Ft. Worth, Texas. Volunteering at the Red Cross extended throughout her professional career. Unselfish service to others continues to be characteristic of her life.