Students Win Prestigious Award

Winners of the Travis Credit Union and NorthBay Health Scholarship Announced for 2024 School of Nursing White Coat Ceremony

March 22, 2024
(left to right: Dr. Tami Hendriksz, Dr. Lisa Norton, Steward Pimienta from Travis Credit Union, JoAnn Munski from NorthBay Health, scholarship winners Jill Cac and Tayler Tildsley, Heather Resseger from NorthBay Health, Michelle Sabolich from Travis Credit Union, Dr. Prabjot “Jodie” Sandhu)
(left to right: Dr. Tami Hendriksz, Dr. Lisa Norton, Steward Pimienta from Travis Credit Union, JoAnn Munski from NorthBay Health, scholarship winners Jill Cac and Tayler Tildsley, Heather Resseger from NorthBay Health, Michelle Sabolich from Travis Credit Union, Dr. Prabjot “Jodie” Sandhu)

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) students Jill Cac and Tayler Tildsley are this year’s NorthBay Health and Travis Credit Union’s Nursing Scholarship for Touro University California (TUC) students.

The winners were announced in the packed ballroom of Farragut Inn, immediately following the MSN white coat ceremony. Each student was awarded a generous $15,000 each. The collaborative effort between NorthBay and Travis to support aspiring TUC student nurses has helped a total of 29 individuals with awards totaling over $200,000. Established in 2015, this scholarship program reflects a shared commitment to health care and community access to well-trained and compassionate nursing professionals.

“This support is not just an investment in my education; it's an investment in improving healthcare delivery and community health,” says Cac. 

For Tildsley, it is a financial and morale boost. “The scholarship gives you a boost of confidence that you're worth it, and that someone believes in your ability to advance your career so much that they invest in you,” says Tildsley. 

For both students, winning the scholarship is a way to open doors for advanced educational opportunities to meaningfully contribute to the nursing profession and their patients’ wellbeing.

Scholarship Partnership for TUC Students

The scholarship, which provides an annual fund of $30,000 ($15,000 from NorthBay Health and $15,000 from Travis Credit Union), is designed to support nursing students enrolled in Touro University California's MSN degree program. The credentials allow for specialization in various areas, such as nurse educator, nurse leader, nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, or nurse administrator.

To be eligible, students must be in good standing, enrolled for the spring semester, working at least half-time for NorthBay Health, and maintain a Travis Credit Union account. The program aims to encourage professional growth and retain experienced nurses dedicated to serving the community.

“The Travis Credit Union-NorthBay Health scholarship is an opportunity to support two of our staff members in the pursuit of advancing their professional careers and contributing even more profoundly to healthcare,” says Dr. JoAnn Munski, Director, Nursing Education, Clinical Practice and Clinical Informatics at NorthBay Healthcare. “Both recipients, currently enrolled in the TUC nursing program, stand strong in their academic pursuits, and have demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to the nursing field.”

NorthBay Health's story began in 1959 when civic leaders and local physicians joined forces to create a local choice for advanced medicine. Since then, NorthBay Health has become a locally managed, nonprofit healthcare provider committed to delivering compassionate care. With two hospitals, NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield and NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville, and a range of primary care and specialty care practices.

“We are proud to partner with Touro University and NorthBay to sponsor the Master of Science in Nursing scholarship,” says Steward Pimienta, Community Engagement Officer for Travis Credit Union. “It’s an investment in our community, in health care, and in those people who choose to make a difference in people’s lives.” 

Founded in October 1951 on Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Travis Credit Union is a non-for-profit financial cooperative with over 225,000 member-owners and $4.7 billion in assets. Their mission is to help individuals achieve their financial goals by providing a variety of services. With 23 branches in 12 Northern California counties, including Solano, Napa, Contra Costa, Yolo, and Merced counties, Travis Credit Union plays a vital role in the financial well-being of the community.

The scholarship program's impact goes beyond financial assistance; it is an investment in the future of healthcare. As the partnership between NorthBay Health, Travis Credit Union, and TUC continues to flourish, the goal remains to empower and support more nursing students on their educational and professional journeys. The scholarship not only contributes to the individual success of scholarship recipients but also enhances the overall healthcare landscape in Solano County and beyond.