Earlier this month, Hope Strengthens Foundation (HSF) was honored to visit the University of New Hampshire (UNH) to meet with the Dean of College of Health and Human Services (CHHS), Dr. Kirsten Corazzini and one of the first recipients of the Nakos Family Scholarship by Hope Strengthens Foundation, Bailey Wilkinson.
The Nakos Family Scholarship by Hope Strengthens Foundation was established thanks to Loukas and Christine Nakos. Loukas, along with daughters Jaclyn and Rachel are all proud graduates of UNH and they have set-up this scholarship to provide need-based support to junior and senior undergraduate students enrolled in the CHHS with a preference for first generation college students.
The spirit of this scholarship is rooted in the belief that graduates from the CHHS will have countless opportunities to positively contribute to their patients’ hope and strength, while being productive members of the communities in which they work and live.
Bailey embodies this spirit and is on track to graduate this spring and pursue her goal of becoming a hospital nurse. In alignment with her studies, Bailey has already invested significant time in the medical field working as a Health Unit Coordinator and Nursing Assistant. She has also worked at a nursing home caring for individuals in the dementia unit in order to gain additional experience.
Bailey has dealt with her own health challenges over the years. This personal adversity has further inspired Bailey to help others and display compassion and empathy towards her patients.
Thanks to the Nakos family, many more students like Bailey are receiving scholarships to help them pursue a career in health care where they will positively impact the lives of countless patients and their families.