Celebrating 50 Years of Nursing Scholarships at Rambam

Rambam Health Care Campus marks 50 years of the Cheryl Spencer Nursing Scholarship Program, honoring five decades of continuous investment in nursing education and professional excellence. The annual ceremony, held during Hanukkah, reflects Rambam’s commitment to its diverse workforce and shared values of gratitude, hope, and resilience.

(L) Mark and (R) Cole Spencer. Photography: Rambam HCC

The Cheryl Spencer Nursing Scholarship Program was established at Rambam by Aaron Spencer and his late wife, Irma of the United States in memory of their daughter, Cheryl Spencer z”l, a nursing student whose life was tragically cut short before her career could begin. Since its founding in 1975, the program has supported generations of Rambam nurses in advancing their academic and professional training.

This year’s milestone ceremony was attended by Cheryl's brother, Mark Spencer, and his son, Cole. During the event, Mark Spencer spoke beautifully about his family’s long-standing commitment to nursing education. Rambam Director General Dr. Michal Mekel also addressed the audience, emphasizing the central role of nursing in the hospital’s clinical excellence and resilience. Gila Hyams, Director of Nursing, underscored the role of Rambam’s nurses during a year marked by war and uncertainty. She highlighted their professionalism and compassion, noting that nurses carried patients and families through their most vulnerable moments and served as a steady source of strength and hope.

A highlight of the ceremony was a series of TED-style talks delivered by nurses representing four generations of Rambam’s nursing staff. Each speaker reflected on how scholarship support shaped their professional development, leadership paths, and long-term commitment to patient care at Rambam.

Since 2022, Rambam has also awarded the Hilary Stone Nursing Scholarship, which honors the memory of Hilary Stone z”l, a respected leader in the British Jewish community. Established by her aunt, Mrs. Laura Simons, the scholarship supports oncology nurses.

This year, Rambam also introduced a new nursing scholarship in memory of Alon Barzilay z”l, a fallen IDF soldier, alongside the Rambam Nursing Administration Scholarship.

In total, 31 nursing scholarships were awarded, bringing the total number of academic nursing scholarships granted over the past 50 years to 672. Today, 99 percent of Rambam’s registered nurses hold academic degrees, underscoring the long-term impact of this sustained investment.

As Rambam marks this milestone year, the ceremony reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to strengthening nursing excellence and advancing patient care across Northern Israel through partnership, dedication, and vision.