Nurse honored with surprise scholarship award
In a move that left the usually unflappable Esther Shepherd “totally shocked,” Baptist Health President and CEO A. Hugh Greene presented the long-time nurse with flowers and the inaugural Carol Thompson Scholarship Award on Dec. 6 in Jacksonville.
The award is named for a distinguished health care and community visionary in Northeast Florida who played a major role at Baptist for more than 29 years, Greene said. It is awarded to a Baptist Health nurse whose character places them in a position of leadership in nursing excellence, and who displays caring and accountability through community involvement and education.
The Baptist Health Foundation granted 142 scholarships totaling $188,900 last year to deserving employees who applied for assistance. The Carol Thompson award is different in that the winner does not apply but is selected from nurses throughout Baptist Health.
Shepherd is pursuing a master’s degree in nursing at Jacksonville University and has received foundation support in the past. As a past recipient, she was invited to speak at the foundation’s annual meeting about the importance of scholarships to career advancement.
“I was totally shocked by the award,” she said. “I went there just to give a speech. I am so honored. I feel truly blessed.”
The Fernandina native has been a nurse for 16 years, 31/2 at Baptist Nassau where she works full time as assistant nurse manager for medical/surgical services. In addition to a demanding school and work schedule, she is raising two “incredible” daughters, 15 and 9. She also finds time to volunteer in activities including service on a Red Cross disaster team.
“Esther is a simply extraordinary person,” Baptist Nassau Administrator Jim Mayo said. “Whatever challenges she encounters, she faces head on, choosing to strive forward. She constantly sets her sights on higher goals and is an inspiration to us all.”
Her career goal is to advance in nursing administration.
“Eventually I’d like to do what Carol did, and maybe one day start a scholarship,” she says. “Education is expensive. Without scholarships, I would have had to quit school.”
