ONCB announces Jeri Ward ONC® Certification Examination Scholarship for 2015
Jeri Ward, an ONC more than 20 years, has generously funded certification examination scholarships for seven candidates in 2015. In a stirring letter that accompanied her donation to ONCB, Jeri noted, “I would like the honoree to know why I am doing this.”
“I was married at 17 and had two children by the time I was 20. My husband (of 43 years) was always supportive of me. I grew up in Oakland, CA, one of six kids to a single mom who worked as a secretary. My teachers always encouraged me to do well and told me I was smart, but we never had the money to further any education.
“We relocated to Los Angeles in 1979. I went to work at Centinela Hospital in Inglewood in central supply washing instruments, packing surgical trays, and sterilizing them. I was trained on the job. I was noticed by an ortho tech who said they had an opening and thought I would be good at that job because I worked hard and learned quickly. He handled me a book of bones and muscles to study. I was overwhelmed and thought I could never learn it, but there I was 6 weeks later applying for the job.”
Jeri not only got that position, but stayed in it for 4 years. During this time, orthopaedic nurses encouraged her to pursue nursing education. To read the rest of Jeri’s inspirational story, click here.
Click here to view and print the scholarship application form.