News & Events | Union Hospital Foundation

06/27/2008

A gift of $4,000 has been made to Union Hospital Foundation by Vigo County School Corporation towards the Amanda Pugh Memorial Scholarship Fund. In making the presentation of the gift, Danny Tanoos, Superintendent of Vigo County School Corporation, stated, "One of the worst parts of my job is the death of a current or former student. Kids who have so much to look forward to are taken from us at a time when they are preparing to plan for the great things in their future. I will never forget the night Amanda was killed. My wife Claudia and I were leaving the West Vigo High School basketball game when police cars, ambulances and emergency response vehicles passed us with sirens blaring. Just a few minutes later my cell phone rang to tell me that some former students were in a bad car wreck. Claudia and I went to the hospital. I was told that one of my colleagues, Lori Pugh, had a daughter in the accident. While at the hospital we were informed that Amanda passed away. It was heart breaking news. This beautiful, bright, caring and inspirational student was gone. It was important that the school system do all we could to ensure that Amanda's memory was honored in some way by our students and staff. The donation on behalf of our school community was given so that students for years to come will know what an impact Amanda had on our school system."

Before her untimely death, Amanda distinguished herself as a student and a person with special insights into the needs of people she cared for as a student-nurse. Amanda excelled in Health Careers at West Vigo High School that enabled her to pass the CNA exam before graduating from high school, demonstrating advanced knowledge and a strong commitment to pursue a career in nursing. She gained valuable experience through the Vikes and Tykes Daycare Program at West Vigo High School and at a local nursing home.

The scholarship awards are made to qualified students pursuing registered nursing degrees from Indiana State University School of Nursing.

Lori Pugh, mother of Amanda Pugh stated, "After the passing of Amanda, our family wanted to do something to keep Amanda's memory alive and to help others who wanted to pursue a career in nursing. Amanda loved life and lived each day to the fullest. She also loved helping others, so what better way to do this than by starting a scholarship in her name. This will give another student pursuing their career some help financially and to reach their dream as a nurse. We pray one day that it will be an endowed scholarship that will continue on for years. Amanda would be honored to know that so many people cared about her to donate to her scholarship. This has been a very rough year for all of us but from the night of the accident, Mr. Tanoos and his wife and the whole School Corporation has been there for us. Words can never express how grateful I am for all that they have done. The help they have given us has made the pain of losing Amanda a little softer. This donation by the Vigo County School Corporation and Danny Tanoos is a true gift from the heart and my heart thanks them for this."

"The gift from the school corporation to the Amanda Pugh Memorial Fund not only supports the advancement of education in the Wabash Valley, but honors a young woman that had an unlimited potential to help others. Amanda will continue to help others, thanks to this gift, even though she's no longer with us." stated Jim Bertoli, Executive Director of Union Hospital Foundation.

The mission of the Union Hospital Foundation is to support advances in medical care that benefit the patients served by Union Hospital and initiatives that promote the health and wellness for those residents who live in the Wabash Valley. The Foundation fulfills this mission by raising charitable gifts and grants, providing effective stewardship for gifts received and by awarding grants to Union Hospital and to select other organizations through which improvements in medical care and community health are realized. The Union Hospital Foundation receives charitable support from individuals, corporations, foundations and organizations who share the Foundation's vision for a healthy, vital community.

For further information, please contact Jim Bertoli, Executive Director at 812.238.7534 or jbertoli@uhhg.org.

Jim Bertoli, Executive Director of Union Hospital Foundation receives a check from Danny Tanoos, Superintendent of Vigo County School Corporation for the Amanda Pugh Memorial Scholarship Fund.