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2022 Scholarship Winners Announced in Eau Claire
Dove Healthcare announced Abby Suvada and Abigail Wieser as the recipients of the fifth annual Sandy Rasmussen Scholarship.
The $2,500 scholarship honors Sandy Rasmussen, an employee of Dove Healthcare - Rutledge Home in Chippewa Falls for almost 50 years. Rasmussen has served the residents in numerous capacities, often concurrently, including lawn care, transportation, recreation, resident assistant, nutritional services aide, cook, and nutritional services director. She has also volunteered countless hours fundraising for the Alzheimer's Association and American Cancer Society.
Scholarship Committee Chair and Dove Healthcare - Rutledge Home Director Emily Gudis shared, "We are honored to help both Abby and Abigail advance their education and careers. They demonstrate great compassion and commitment for those entrusted in their care and dedication to their profession." The scholarship committee selected Suvada and Wieser based on letters of reference, essays, work ethic, and character.
A certified nursing assistant for over two years at Dove Healthcare - West Eau Claire, Suvada is enrolled in the nursing program at Chippewa Valley Technical College. Her volunteer efforts include 2021 Farm Technology Days Equine Committee Volunteer Co-Chair; 4-H roadside cleanup; youth equine riding lessons; and CVTC nursing club.
Dove Healthcare - West Eau Claire Director of Nursing Shelby Kolar said, "Abby Suvada consistently demonstrates strong leadership skills and the ability to take charge while earning the respect and trust of her co-workers. She is approachable and a great resource to new and seasoned team members. Abby is levelheaded and very easily adapts to change, all while having a consistently positive attitude. She takes the time to get to know her residents and their personalized needs and preferences. Abby is patient and polite in all interactions and makes her residents feel like they are her number one priority, no matter what else is going on in the day. The entire nursing team is excited for Abby, and we know she will make an excellent nurse."
A resident assistant for almost two years at Dove Healthcare - Orchard Hills Assisted Living, Wieser is completing the master's program communication sciences and disorders at UW-Eau Claire. Her volunteer and extracurricular activities include Aphasia Camp; Operation Smile; National Student Speech-Language Hearing Association; manager for UWEC Volleyball; and Global Youth Service Day. She is also graduate assistant for a professor at UW-Eau Claire.
Dove Healthcare - Orchard Hills Assisted Living RN Supervisor Rachel Raney shared, "Abigail Wieser always exudes positivity and light everywhere she goes. She is an individual that handles even the most stressful situations with grace and poise. Our residents appreciate Abby for her humor and special knack for making people smile. When she works, the residents verbalize how excited they are to see her, and I believe that speaks volumes to the compassionate care that Abigail provides with each resident interaction. She is an individual that I have always felt confident delegating tasks to, as she is willing to take on new challenges and better herself in resident care."
Director Jon Dressler added, "Caregiver doesn't begin to describe the contributions Abigail has made here. Not only does she ensure our residents are well looked after, she also acts as a friend. I can always count on Abigail to lighten the mood and bring a laugh to our day. I want to commend Abigail for her efforts in caring for our residents while juggling the demands of graduate school."
The Sandy Rasmussen Scholarship is available to Dove Healthcare employees pursuing post-secondary education at an accredited technical college or four-year university. For more information, email info@dovehealthcare.com or call 715-930-6004
