Senior Derek Beltre Awarded a Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania Scholarship
Beltre is among 21 nursing students in the State to be awarded a Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania (NFP) scholarship. The NFP annually recognizes deserving students for their talent, hard work, and commitment to the pursuit of their nursing degree. The students have been chosen from schools across Pennsylvania and range from recent high school graduates to registered nurses.
The recent experience of Holy Family University senior nursing student Derek Beltre, who will graduate in December 2023 admittedly brought a tear to his eye. Following a 10-week clinical rotation on the neuro floor at Abington Hospital, Beltre transitioned in May, to the labor and delivery unit for an externship and in August, enjoyed the privilege of assisting in the birth of
fraternal twins.
Beltre is among 21 nursing students in the State to be awarded a Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania (NFP) scholarship. The NFP annually recognizes deserving students for their talent, hard work, and commitment to the pursuit of their nursing degree. The students have been chosen from schools across Pennsylvania and range from recent high school graduates to registered nurses.
Specifically, Beltre has been named as the recipient of the Jack E. Barger, Sr., Memorial Nursing Scholarship. The scholarship supports select members of the military community who are seeking a nursing degree.
A Philadelphia native who enlisted in the United States Navy in September 2016, Beltre served as a hospital corpsman petty officer second class for just over six years. While in the Navy, he provided physical assessments and vaccinations and handled intravenous blood draws for both sailors and marines. During the height of the pandemic, Beltre assisted Marine recruits and civilians experiencing medical issues.
“I am so grateful to Catherine Tottser, Dr. McFadden, and Professor Palmer who helped me tremendously during my time at Holy Family University,” Beltre said. “They gave the guidance I needed and steered me toward my area of specialty which I am happy to say, following my recent experience, will be labor and delivery.
“Holy Family University provided me with a great opportunity in the nursing program,” he said. “It made sense for me to continue my Catholic education journey at Holy Family, since I attended Saint Albert the Great Elementary School in Huntington Valley and Archbishop Ryan High School right down the road from the University.”
Since 1995, NFP has distributed more than $404,000 in scholarships to 260 students pursuing nursing education and nursing research grants.