LeadingAge PA Awards Nearly $40,000 in Professional Development Scholarships to 33 Deserving Employees at Member Communities

LeadingAge PA is dedicated to the education and workforce enhancement efforts of member communities and, to date, has awarded nearly $600,000 through scholarship and internship programs. The Professional Development Scholarships are awarded to staff at member communities to enhance educational opportunities as they further their careers in senior services.    

“Retaining and growing qualified workers is essential to our ability to continue serving seniors in Pennsylvania for many years to come,” said Garry Pezzano, LeadingAge PA president and CEO. “We are proud to offer this scholarship program to assist our members in furthering their education and growing the aging services workforce. The scholarship recipients' dedication to senior services is inspiring, and we cannot thank them enough." 

The 2023 scholarship recipients are listed below by county: 

Allegheny County 

• Jordan Fitchie, Elmwood Gardens in Oakmont 

• Megan Zulauf Zivic, Masonic Village of Sewickley 

• Nicole Cherico, Presbyterian SeniorCare Network in Oakmont 

• Stacey Hawthorne, Presbyterian SeniorCare Network in Oakmont 

• Jessica Hurley, Presbyterian SeniorCare Network in Oakmont 

• Tara Neff, Fellowship Community in Whitehall 

Berks 

• Alyse Moore, The Highlands at Wyomissing 

Bucks 

• Laura Hornyak, Friends Village in Newtown 

• Nicolette Fila, Christ's Home in Warminster 

• Samantha Cavanaugh, Southampton Estates in Southampton 

Centre 

• Clara Nalley, Windy Hill Village in Philipsburg 

Chester 

• Catherine Avellino, Freedom Village at Brandywine in Coatesville 

• Crystal Jones, The Hickman in West Chester 

Cumberland 

• Whitney Davis, United Church of Christ Home in Camp Hill 

Erie 

• Chris DiTullio, Presbyterian Senior Care in Erie 

Lancaster 

• Brynne Baker, Willow Valley in Willow Street 

• Kaitlyn Graybill, Willow Valley in Willow Street 

• Amber Eckman, Masonic Village in Elizabethtown 

• Ruth Wright, Masonic Village in Elizabethtown 

Lebanon 

• Alexis Lehr, Cornwall Manor in Cornwall 

• Melissa Arnold, Londonderry Village in Palmyra 

Lehigh 

• Manuela Brandolino, Phoebe Ministries in Allentown 

• Rosemary Manna, Phoebe Ministries in Allentown 

Lycoming 

• Tracey Stroble, Valley View Rehab and Nursing Center in Montoursville 

Mifflin 

• Cheris Fisher, Valley View Retirement Community in Belleville 

Montgomery 

• Ebony Mosley, Beaumont at Bryn Mawr 

• Joseph Farrell Kratz, Acts Retirement Life Communities in Fort Washington 

• Shanna Huff, St. Joseph Villa in Flourtown 

• Deborah E. Herr, Living Branches in Souderton 

• Shelby Schroy, Living Branches in Souderton 

• Sydney Conard, Living Branches in Souderton 

Northampton 

• Kristen Schrameyer, Presbyterian Senior Living in Bethlehem 

Philadelphia 

• Aiyana Carter, The Philadelphia Protestant Home in Philadelphia