Audrey Rice, of Westville, and Mackinnon Tracy, of Mill Creek, are co-recipients of the annual Franciscan Health Michigan City Maria Petti Scholarship. The $2,500 awards are given to students who are pursuing education in surgical healthcare and exemplifies excellence through volunteer work, leadership and academic promise.
The award was established in 2009 in honor of Maria Petti, one of Franciscan Health Michigan City’s most highly regarded nursing professionals, who died from cancer at age 53 in August 2008. The scholarship is paid directly to the recipients’ schools to help defray the cost of tuition.
Rice, who attends the Indiana University Northwest School of Nursing, said she was humbled and honored to receive the honor. “It will definitely help me in pursuing my dream of a career in health care,” she said.
Tracy, who is pursuing a bachelor science degree in nursing at Goshen College in Goshen, said likewise was honored to receive the scholarship, adding, “It will help me in pursuing my ultimate goal of becoming a nurse practitioner.”
