Established in 2006, the Jeanne K. Buxbaum Scholarship is awarded to students in the School of Nursing who focus on the care of older adults, especially those dealing with frailty in late life, such as sensory losses. A generous gift from Dr. Jeanne K. Buxbaum (1915-2003), who appreciated the care she received from professional nurses during the last years of her life, makes these scholarships possible. Dr. Buxbaum, who earned a doctorate in chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology School of Science, was the first female doctorate-prepared chemist employed by DuPont, where she worked until her retirement in the late 1980s.

Here are the recipients for 2020-2021:

Sasha Pam is a sophomore nursing student from Dix Hills, NY. Sasha, like many nursing students, has childhood experiences caring for older family members. She has been closely involved with helping her grandparents stay independent in their home while navigating the health care system. New to the Buxbaum scholarship, Sasha has already been active contacting local long-term care facilities to identify residents’ needs for a Buxbaum service project.

Josh Walter is a junior nursing student from Reading, Pa. Josh brings personal experiences with his grandparents to the Buxbaum program. His grandmother developed profound hearing loss that his family accommodated for years until she qualified for a cochlear implant. Josh observed the extent to which ones’ ability to communicate can affect quality of life, with regard to the hearing impairment his grandmother experienced and the stroke his grandfather suffered. Josh plans to pursue graduate education focused on advanced practice nursing.

Lizzy Davis is a sophomore nursing student from Ellicott City, Md.  Lizzy observed firsthand the expert nursing and medical care her grandmother received during a critical illness, an experience that shaped Lizzy’s career aspirations. During her senior year of high school, Lizzy completed a research project on Alzheimer’s disease, knowledge that she applied when volunteering at local senior living communities.