The Blue Ridge Medical Center Auxiliary, the Pink Ladies, presented $1,000 scholarships to three students during a special ceremony at the hospital last week.
Averie Chambers, Trevor Couch and Shelley Stiles were recognized as they continue their educations in various health care fields. Chambers and Couch have been studying at North Georgia Technical College, and both graduated from Fannin County High School in 2020. Stiles graduated from Copper Basin High School in 1999.
Chambers has been enrolled in the Licensed Practical Nursing program and plans to continue her education working toward becoming a Registered Nurse.
She is currently completing her 90 hours of preceptorship at Union County Dialysis.
Sharon McFarland, Chambers’ instructor, said, “Averie consistently showed above average performance in her coursework and possesses the qualities essential for the nursing profession, she is compassionate, empathetic and motivated to have a positive impact on patients and families.”
Couch has been enrolled in the Associate of Science in Nursing program to become a Registered Nurse. He was president of his class and participated in Skills USA competition in Medical Technology. He plans to continue his education and become a Nurse Practitioner.
Rebekah Deal, Couch’s instructor, describes him as “exceptionally gifted in making patients feel comfortable and always maintains a positive attitude. (He) shows up early, works hard, and is polite, respectable to all.”
Stiles is working toward a Masters Degree in Healthcare Administration through Western Governor’s University. Her graduation is planned for December 2024.
Stiles is the Facility Compliance Officer and Quality/Risk Manager at Blue Ridge Medical Center. Her first health care job was with North Georgia Physical Therapy where she became certified as a personal trainer/physical therapy technician while also training for an office manage position.
Stiles began working at Blue Ridge Medical Center (then Fannin Regional Hospital) in 2014. She has worked in the Emergency Department and operating room. She attended nursing school during the pandemic, which she says was very challenging because it was mostly online. She then completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in 13 months while she worked for Home Health while training in the Nuclear Medicine and Radiology departments at the hospital. It was after that she was offered the Quality/Risk Manager position.