Supporting Veteran Healthcare Professionals Through Operation Education

At 3rd & Goal Foundation, we believe in supporting veterans not only through the challenges they may face today, but also as they work toward their goals for the future.

Through Operation Education, we are proud to provide educational opportunities for veterans in our community. This year, we awarded two 3rd & Goal Foundation Scholarships to military veterans who are working at OhioHealth and continuing their education in nursing

We are excited to introduce Ryker and Shelby  and share a little about their goals and what this scholarship means to them.

Ryker is a veteran and has been with OhioHealth for one year. Ryker is attending Hondros College of Nursing and pursuing an ADN with the goal of becoming a registered nurse.

Over the next few years, Ryker hopes to become a nurse with a strong focus on patient advocacy. Through experiences at the VA, Ryker saw how important it is for patients to have someone who will speak up for them and make sure they feel supported. Ryker also hopes to advocate for fellow healthcare workers and promote the importance of self-care among nurses and hospital staff.

Ryker’s message to 3rd & Goal Foundation: “Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to further my education.”

Shelby is a veteran who has been with OhioHealth for eight years. She is attending Columbus State Community College and working toward her BSN.

Shelby has big goals for the next several years. She hopes to take on additional responsibility within her unit, including potentially becoming a charge nurse, and would also like to pursue a nurse practitioner program.

For Shelby, continuing her education is also about setting an example for her daughters. The scholarship will help with expenses such as books and lab fees, as well as childcare and gas.

“This scholarship would help me to afford not only things like books and lab fees as I work toward my BSN, but also childcare and gas so I can leave my daughters in good hands while I go set the greatest example for them,” Shelby shared.

Shelby’s message to 3rd & Goal Foundation:“Thank you so much for not only supporting my future, but my daughters' futures. Your generosity and belief in me gives me the motivation and strength to keep achieving, even through to difficulties and misfortunes that life keeps handing out.”

We are grateful for the opportunity to support Ryker and Shelby as they continue their education and work toward their goals. Both have dedicated themselves to serving others, and we are proud to support them as they take the next steps in their careers.

Congratulations, Ryker and Shelby!