Cales Awarded VNA’s Lukach Memorial Scholarship

Cales-Awarded-VNAs-Lukach-Memorial-Scholarship-2017_01Danielle Cales was selected as the recipient of the 2017 Lukach Memorial Scholarship through the Visiting Nurse Association of NWI (VNA of NWI). Danielle is currently a student at Ivy Tech Community College, on her way to becoming a Physical Therapy Assistant.

In addition to attending classes, Danielle also works as a Hospice Aide for VNA Hospice. “Since I’m working, it will take me a little longer to get through school, but it’s worth it,” said Danielle.

Bill Lukach, son of the late Avis Lukach, scholarship founder, serves on the VNA scholarship committee. Lukach says that Danielle’s goal to eventually work as a physical therapy assistant fits beautifully with his mother’s vision of helping the non-traditional student continue their education in the medical field. “Mom knew what it was like to have a goal and continue to work to reach it. She never quit learning,” says Lukach. Avis Lukach was a past board member of the VNA of NWI and a longtime community volunteer. She established the scholarship fund through the VNA in 1996.

Danielle, upon meeting Lukach, told him she had made fast friends with the very first Lukach Scholarship recipient, Josie M., currently a nurse with VNA Hospice. Lukach shared that Josie, who was a home health aide at the time, was aspiring to become a nurse when she applied for and was awarded the scholarship 20 years ago. Josie reached her goal to become a nurse and ultimately was one of the nurses who cared for Mrs. Lukach at the end of her life.

Cales-Awarded-VNAs-Lukach-Memorial-Scholarship-2017_02The scholarship is awarded each year to assist health care workers in the community who lack access to traditional scholarships, enabling them to pursue further education in health care. Anyone employed in the health care field who desires to advance their health-care related education through formal courses, certificate courses, or specialized training may apply for this scholarship.

The Visiting Nurse Association and the Lukach Scholarship Committee are proud to recognize Danielle’s dedication, caring and diligence to complete her studies and further her education in the healthcare profession.

For more information or to request an application for the 2018 scholarship, please call the VNA Foundation at (219) 462-5195. You may also visit the VNA website at www.vnanwi.org. Previous recipients are not eligible for additional assistance.