Daisy P. Swinton Scholarship Fund to Help Next Generation of Nurses Pursue Their Dreams
Scholarship founded in memory of Huntsville Hospital’s first African American ICU Nurse Manager
DAISY P. SWINTON SCHOLARSHIP FUND TO HELP NEXT GENERATION OF NURSES PURSUE THEIR DREAMS
Scholarship founded in memory of Huntsville Hospital’s first African American ICU Nurse Manager
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Daisy P. Swinton served Huntsville Hospital patients for 40 years, working her way from housekeeping to ICU nurse manager. A new scholarship was just launched in her memory to empower future nursing students to follow in Daisy’s footsteps of hard work and commitment as they work to pursue their dreams.
The Daisy P. Swinton Scholarship was initiated by her family and founded by Huntsville Hospital Foundation. It is fully funded by generous community donors. The application is open to any employee of Huntsville Hospital or to outstanding high school or college students who have been accepted to a Nursing school or program.
“We are honored to work alongside Mrs. Swinton’s family to celebrate her legacy and to equip nursing students with the funding they need to reach their full potential,” said Fannie Proctor, Daisy P. Swinton Scholarship Committee chair and Huntsville Hospital employee relations specialist. “Daisy’s career was marked by an ongoing commitment to learn and serve. We are honored to share her story and impact the next generation of nurses who will go on to serve our patients and community.”
Mrs. Swinton's career began in 1957 when she was hired in housekeeping. She later pursued additional training to become a nurse’s aide and then a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). As an LPN, she continued to seek more training, completing her Associate Degree in Nursing from Calhoun Community College and then receiving her Registered Nurse certification in 1975 – all while raising her family.
Not long after earning her RN certification, Mrs. Swinton was tagged to work alongside physicians to expand the hospital’s care for critically ill patients with the establishment of Surgical Intensive Care Unit. During her tenure as a nurse manager, she played a pivotal role in the design, organization, and development of policies and procedures for the new unit, and was the first African American to serve as an ICU nurse manager at Huntsville Hospital. Mrs. Swinton retired in 1997, and passed away in August 2020.
“It was a scholarship, much like this one, that empowered my mother to continue her education and receive the training she needed to fulfill her goals,” said Dawna Swinton Baker, Daisy’s daughter. “This scholarship will change many lives, just like Daisy did every day. I hope that anyone who has that same drive and passion is inspired to apply.”
The Daisy P. Swinton Scholarship was announced today, on what would have been Daisy’s eighty-third birthday. Applications open tomorrow, April 15, 2021, and submissions will be accepted through July 1. For full qualification criteria and to apply, visit huntsvillehospitalfoundation.org/daisyswinton.
A campaign is also underway to ensure future funding of the scholarship is possible. To help continue Daisy’s legacy and support future nurses, donate online through Huntsville Hospital Foundation’s 2021 Nurses Week campaign. Donations can be made in honor of local nurses, and 100 percent of proceeds benefit the scholarship fund. Learn more at huntsvillehospitalfoundation.org/nursesweek.