Daja Morgan, a certified nursing assistant from the Riverside Health System convalescent center in Smithfield, was among the 36 long-term caregivers across the state to receive a scholarship from the Commonwealth Long Term Care Foundation.

Morgan earned a $1,500 Regirer Nurse Scholarship to apply toward the cost of her ongoing nursing education. Morgan is working toward becoming a Registered Nurse and is enrolled in the Medical Careers Institute’s RN program.

A total of $54,000 was awarded statewide.

Candidates for the awards were required to complete an extensive entry form and were personally interviewed by the Virginia Healthcare Association Nurse Scholarship Committee.

The scholarships are named for Walter and Maria Teresa, members of the VHCA who led efforts to improve access to long term care education for career professionals.

Since 1997, when the Commonwealth Long Term Care Foundation was established, it has awarded a total of $515,975 Regirer Nursing Scholarships to 379 recipients.

In addition to vowing to advance their nursing education, recipients agree to continue working in a VHCA member facility for at least one year after graduation.