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Educating the Next Generation
assistance for students pursuing a career in healthcare.
“We believe very strongly in scholarships,” emphasizes Vernon
DeSear, Vice President for the Manatee Healthcare System and
Executive Director of the Manatee Memorial Foundation. “It’s a
very important aspect of what we do.”
Over the years, the Foundation has forged partnerships with
several area universities. For instance, more than a decade ago,
the Foundation established an endowment at State College of
Florida in conjunction with the Manatee Community College
Foundation. This endowment, together with matching state
funds, continues to provide scholarships for nursing students
and technicians today.
“The endowment that’s currently at State College of Florida is at
about half a million dollars,” DeSear says.
Additionally, the Manatee Memorial Foundation funded the
Manatee Technology and Simulation Center at the State College
of Florida East Campus in Lakewood Ranch. This state-of-theart
center features an intensive care unit, birthing room, science
labs and high-tech mannequins that physically mimic the human
body. This hospital-like setting allows nursing students to work
through realistic simulated medical scenarios.
In 2005, the Foundation partnered with USF Sarasota-Manatee to
establish the Manatee Memorial Foundation, Inc. College of Nursing
Center. The Foundation also provides funding for the recruitment
of nurses to further their education through the baccalaureate and
master’s degree programs in nursing at the regional campus. “This
partnership supports the increased demand for nurses to serve
our growing community,” DeSear explains.
Last but not least, the Manatee Memorial Foundation also
provides scholarship opportunities for individuals pursuing a
medical career. In 2016 alone, the Foundation provided $40,000
in medical scholarships for students attending local universities.
Retail Therapy
How does the Manatee Memorial Foundation raise so much
two popular local shops.
The Manatee Memorial Foundation, Inc. Thrift Shop located
on Manatee Avenue in West Bradenton is operated by the
Foundation’s Auxiliary volunteers. “The thrift shop on Manatee
Avenue is totally run by volunteers, except for a manager and
assistant manager,” says DeSear. “This shop is a major success
story for the community as people realize that money all goes back
to organizations within the community and medical scholarships.”
The Foundation also receives funding from the Manatee Memorial
Hospital gift shop, located in the lobby of the hospital. “There are
some really nice items to purchase there, so the visitors enjoy