Press Releases

Hospital for Special Care Awards Scholarships to Medical, Physical Therapy and Nursing Students

Hospital for Special Care (HFSC) honored eight area students for their academic achievements in medicine, physical therapy and nursing this month by presenting nearly $35,000 in scholarship awards. The hospital awarded the $12,000 Florence Timura Medical Student Scholarship to Matthew D. Nankin of Wallingford, a fourth-year medical student at Quinnipiac University, Frank H. Netter School of Medicine (2022).  Victoria K. De La Rosa of North Arlington, New Jersey, a student pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Quinnipiac University (2022) received the $6,000 Florence Timura Physical Therapy Scholarship. Contributions from Michael Timura, a longtime friend, business associate and hospital benefactor who passed away earlier this year, in honor of his wife Florence, support these annual awards.

The following annual nursing scholarships were also presented by Gary Timura on behalf of the Timura family and Wendy DeAngelo, Vice President of the Hospital for Special Care Foundation:

• The Rona Botwinick Nursing Scholarship: Julia M. Sisti of Berlin, University of Connecticut (2022), $3,000.
• The Florence Timura Nursing Scholarship: Okasana Yavdoshnyak of New Britain, Capital Community College, $3,000.
• The Dr. Michael Timura, III Nursing Scholarship: Katelyn Zuk of East Berlin, Sacred Heart University (2025), $3,000.
• The Paul Sutula Nursing Scholarship: Anita W. Gryczewski of Plainville, Central Connecticut State University (2023), $2,750.
• The Elizabeth Timura Gold Star Mother Nursing Scholarship: Gina M. Calo, University of Saint Joseph (2022), $2,500.
• The John Timura Nursing Scholarship: Karla D. Juarez of Plainville, Central Connecticut State University (2023), $2,500

HFSC scholarships are supported by charitable funds established by generous donors at the Hospital for Special Care Foundation. The late Michael Timura established multiple scholarships at Hospital for Special Care to advance local students’ pursuit of careers in health care. He also established a professional development fund for Certified Nursing Assistants at HFSC to support training programs for these helping professionals at the hospital. Each fund honors a cherished member of his family, including his beloved wife Florence. Allen Botwinick’s contributions honored his wife Rona through the Rona Botwinick Nursing Scholarship.