MADISON, WI — Agrace has awarded its 2025 Future Nurses Scholarships to six staff members who show outstanding care for patients, support health equity and build strong connections with patients and families.
Each year, the Agrace Future Nurses Scholarship Program helps certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) pay for nursing school. These scholarships are funded through the generosity of community donors who want to strengthen the future of nursing.
One of the scholarships awarded each year, the Future Nurses Unity Award Scholarship, provides $6,000 toward a nursing degree. It is awarded to a staff member from a historically marginalized racial or ethnic group who shows excellent patient care and a commitment to inclusivity at Agrace. In 2025, this scholarship was awarded to Leticia “Letty” Gonzales, Agrace CNA.
In addition, five staff members have been awarded $3,000 scholarships to support their nursing education:
- Samara Wankerl-Estrada, LPN
- Nicole Frey, CNA
- Kallina Karls, LPN
- Josselin “Jossie” Ceballos de Santiago, CNA
- Delisha Smith, CNA
“We are inspired by the compassion and dedication displayed by each of these team members,” said Kelly Shoppa, education coordinator. “We are proud to support them and foster their development as future nurses.”
The Agrace Future Nurses Scholarship Program shows Agrace’s commitment to supporting the next generation of nurses and ensuring that patients continue to receive excellent care.
Founded in 1978, Agrace is a nonprofit, community-supported health care organization dedicated to providing high-quality care and support to people who are aging, seriously ill, dying or grieving. With offices in Madison, Wauwatosa, Watertown, Janesville, Baraboo, La Crosse and Dodgeville, Agrace serves more than 1,700 patients and clients across southern Wisconsin every day.
