Roswell nurse merits DeBow Scholarship

Roswell nurse merits DeBow Scholarship
By DEBORAH A. MILES
A year ago, PEF Division 196 member Pamela Paplham had a dream.

She decided, after 17 years working as a nurse practitioner at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, she wanted to go back to school and earn her doctorate in nursing. Paplham raised the bar for herself, enrolled in Robert Morris University and plans to graduate in May 2012.

She has a solid history in her nursing career, achieving honors such as the Roswell Park Cancer Institute Nurse of Distinction Award. Paplham was listed in Who’s Who of American Nurses and was runner up for the Nurse Practitioner of the Year Practice Innovation Award.

Her dedication to nursing also has paid off in earning her the 2009 Jean DeBow scholarship. PEF member Theresa Brennan nominated Paplham.

“Pam is always willing to go the extra mile for her patients,” Brennan said. “She is very professional, makes all her patients feel comfortable, and is willing to answer questions from both patients and co-workers. I am very excited and proud Pam chose to continue her education. She can pave the way for many more to come.”

The scholarship was created to honor the memory of Jean DeBow, a PEF vice president who believed in the power of continuing education. It is open to all PEF women who are pursuing a degree at an accredited post-secondary educational institute in any field. The award of $1,000 is presented annually at the PEF convention.
“It’s wonderful PEF has the insight and accessibility to help people move forward in their careers by offering this scholarship,” Paplham said.

“Health care is one of the few fields that is growing despite tough economic times. Many people are reconsidering jobs in health care, and ultimately, by obtaining my Doctorate in Nursing, I would like to teach.\

Paplham’s schedule is grueling right now. She works full time, goes to school and is also a wife and mother of two children.

“Life may be difficult at times, but I have this goal. You need to have a dream and go for it, Then it seems like everything falls into place,” she said.