NCH Foundation Awards Scholarships to 3 Student Volunteers

Northwest Community Hospital (NCH) Foundation recently awarded three top student volunteers of 2022 each with a $500 scholarship. The Nana’s Joy Award is a scholarship through the NCH Foundation funded by an anonymous donor. The award started in 2021 and recognizes the efforts of students who dedicate their time and support to NCH patients, visitors and staff.

The anonymous donor created the scholarship to honor his mother, and named it for two things that brought joy to her life – children and helping others through volunteerism. “My mother always felt it important that if you had any good fortune in your life that you should give back. She did not have much in terms of financial resources but would volunteer her time,” he said. “Following her advice, I personally have received much joy and friendships from volunteering. Creating the Nana’s Joy Award at NCH for teen volunteers was a way to contribute to a place I value while honoring my mother’s memory and life’s values.”

Award recipients must have given at least 100 hours in that year and have been volunteering consistently for more than one year (preferred) or a minimum of six months consistently.

• Karina Patel – A Mobile Dental Clinic volunteer, Karina is a senior at Loyola University Chicago, majoring in biology with a minor in statistics. She is pursuing a career in dentistry. Karina volunteered for 159 hours in 2022 and has served a total of 187 hours since she began in June 2022.
• Janvi Patel – A Main Entrance and Busse Outpatient Lab volunteer, Janvi is a senior at Rolling Meadows High School. She plans to attend Marquette University’s Pre-Dental Scholar Program, pursuing a career in orthodontics. Janvi volunteered for 156 hours in 2022 and has served a total of 230 hours since she began in 2021.
• Lauren Ryoo – A Main Entrance volunteer, Lauren is a senior at Rolling Meadows High School. She will attend Northwestern University, and plans to pursue a career in medicine/healthcare. Lauren volunteered for 140 hours in 2022 and has served a total of 246 hours since she began in 2021.

In 2022, 108 students made up 14% of all volunteer hours at NCH which translates into 5,428 hours total. For more information about volunteering at NCH, please visit https://www.nch.org/volunteer/high-school-program/ For more information about contributing to the NCH Foundation, please visit https://www.nch.org/foundation/