St. Bernard Announces Barack Obama Nursing Scholarship

May 10, 2006 – CHICAGO - St. Bernard Hospital, a Catholic health care center serving Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood for over 100 years, announced Tuesday the establishment of the Barack Obama Nursing Scholarship for eligible Englewood area high school students who seek a career in health care.

“We know that Senator Obama has a long history of educational excellence, community and public service,” said Sister Elizabeth Van Straten, President and CEO at St. Bernard. “The hospital is honored to have our Senator endorse this scholarship opportunity, and we are equally enthusiastic about the opportunity this provides to talented Englewood students.”

The Barack Obama Nursing Scholarship of St. Bernard Hospital will be awarded for the first time during the 2006-2007 school year, and will fund select college programs for students seeking a Registered Nurse degree. Eligible students will attend an Englewood area high school and meet criteria set forth by the hospital. The hospital, which will fund the program entirely, hopes to award several scholarships annually, and will announce final details and qualifications in the fall.

Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) resides on Chicago’s South Side with his family. He earned his undergraduate degree from Columbia University before gaining his law degree at Harvard University. He was elected to the United States Senate in 2005 after seven years in the Illinois State Senate.

The scholarship program was announced at Tuesday’s launch of St. Bernard’s pediatric outreach CHANCE concept – Comprehensive Health and Advocacy Network for the Children of Englewood.