Holy Name’s founding congregation – the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace – recently announced a $2 million gift to Holy Name’s Sister Claire Tynan School of Nursing.
The donation, which followed a eucharistic celebration, will endow the Mother Agatha Browne Spirit of Holy Name Scholars Program. This will provide support for students pursuing degrees as registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.
The Mass, celebrated in the Chapel at St. Michael Villa in Englewood Cliffs, was attended by local leaders including members of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, Holy Name President and CEO Michael Maron; members of Holy Name’s leadership team; Holy Name Board of Trustees member Dr. David Butler; and School of Nursing Director Donna Penn and faculty. The service was celebrated by the Most Reverend Bishop Michael A. Saporito, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark.
“We are extremely grateful to the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace for their generous and visionary support of our nursing students,” said Maron. “With approximately 80% of these students relying on financial aid, we appreciate that the congregation recognizes the urgent need to assist talented and deserving students pursue their calling in nursing.”
The endowment will provide four full scholarships each year, awarded based on financial need and academic merit. Each scholarship will honor a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace who graduated from Holy Name’s School of Nursing and set an example for future students to emulate.
Sr. Susan Francois, assistant congregation leader and member of the Holy Name Medical Center and Foundation Board of Trustees, said. “Holy Name continues to experience strong success in both enrollment and NCLEX pass rates. In fact, this fall, 205 students are enrolled, with a 92% pass rate for the LPN program and a 95% pass rate for the RN program.”
“We have named the scholars program in honor of Mother Agatha Browne who answered the call from local doctors to found both the hospital and nursing school 100 years ago,” explained Sr. Andrea Nenzel, congregation leader. “She is remembered as a woman with great zeal, courage, and love for the congregation.”
After graduation, Mother Agatha Brown Spirit of Holy Name Scholars will have the opportunity to transition directly into staff positions at Holy Name Medical Center.
Holy Name is New Jersey’s only independent Catholic health system, comprising a 361-bed acute care hospital, a renowned cancer center, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a residential hospice, a prestigious nursing school, and an extensive physician network.
