The Kimberly Coffey Foundation Memorial Nursing Scholarship

 
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The Kimberly Coffey Foundation Memorial Nursing Scholarship is awarded in honor of Kimberly’s beautiful spirit to deserving HIGH SCHOOL seniorS IN NEW YORK STATE, who ARE pursuing a career in Nursing.

Kimberly Coffey was 17 years old when she died from Meningitis B one week before her 2012 high school graduation at East Islip High School in NY and three months before starting her nursing education at Molloy University in New York.

Kimberly’s dream was to be a pediatric nurse, and through this scholarship, we hope to keep her memory present through the next generation of nurses.

Although Kim was current on all her vaccinations, including the meningococcal meningitis vaccine, she had contracted meningococcal serogroup B (meningitis B). Most have received the meningococcal meningitis vaccine (MenACWY) at age 11 with a booster at age 16. Unfortunately, that vaccine only protects against four of the five serogroups of meningococcal meningitis and does not protect against serogroup B/meningitis B. The meningitis B vaccine was not available to help protect Kimberly in 2012; however, it has been available in the U.S. since 2014. It is important to know that the NYS meningitis vaccine requirement does not include Meningitis B vaccination. Since 2011, Meningitis B has been responsible for all meningitis outbreaks on our college campuses. Visit this page to learn how meningococcal meningitis is transmitted, its symptoms, and how to be best protected. 


Our 2024 Scholarship Recipients:


2024 recipient:
Nicholas Longardino (Adelphi University)

2024 recipient:
Alexandra Cortese (Siena College)

2024 recipient:
Liana Esau (Adelphi University)

2024 recipient:
Crystal Migliaccio (Adelphi University)

2024 recipient:
Kailyn Bloch (Monmouth University)

PAST SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS:


2023 recipient:
Gianna DeVellis (University of Virginia)

2023 recipient:
KatieAnne Guisto (St. Joseph's University) 

2023 recipient:
Sara Vasquez (Catholic University of America)

2022 recipient:
Madysen Thomas (University of Delaware)

2022 recipient:
Samantha Panzella (Monmouth University)

2022 recipient:
Daniella Santoli (Molloy College)

2021 recipient:  Hannah Feeney (Molloy College)

2021 recipient:
Hannah Feeney (Molloy College)

2020 recipients: Kaylee Matos (Adelphi University) Taylor Ryan (St. Joseph’s College)

2020 recipients:
Kaylee Matos (Adelphi University) and Taylor Ryan (St. Joseph’s College)

2019 recipient:  Kylie McConnell (University of Tennessee, Knoxville)

2019 recipient:
Kylie McConnell (University of Tennessee, Knoxville)

2018 recipients:  Courtney Herrera (The College at Brockport) Kaitlyn Burk (Plymouth State University)

2018 recipients:
Courtney Herrera (The College at Brockport)
Kaitlyn Burk (Plymouth State University)

2017 recipients:  Elizabeth Hillman (Long Island University/Post) Emily Glennon (SUNY Plattsburgh)

2017 recipients:
Elizabeth Hillman (Long Island University/Post)
Emily Glennon (SUNY Plattsburgh)

2016 recipient:  Karlie Herrera (The College at Brockport)

2016 recipient:
Karlie Herrera (The College at Brockport)

2015 recipient:  Sean Glennon (Molloy College)

2015 recipient:
Sean Glennon (Molloy College)

2014 recipients: Salvatore Cipolla (Molloy College) Bianca Warnken

2014 recipients:
Salvatore Cipolla (Molloy College) and Bianca Warnken

2013 recipients: Niamh Ashe (Quinnipiac University) Marissa Quinn (Mt. St. Mary Nursing School)

2013 recipients:
Niamh Ashe (Quinnipiac University)
Marissa Quinn (Mt. St. Mary Nursing School)


To be considered for the Kimberly Coffey Foundation scholarship, candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • Senior at a high school located in New York State

  • Minimum GPA of 3.5

    • A transcript must be provided through Grade 12

  • Provide an acceptance letter from an accredited AAS (RN) or BSN nursing program

    • Contingent/conditional acceptance letters will not be accepted

  • Provide documentation of receiving the MenACWY meningococcal vaccination and booster, if applicable

    • The brand names are Menactra, Menveo, or MenQuadfi

    • Medical exemptions are permitted

  • Provide documentation of starting/completing a MenB meningococcal vaccination series

    • The brand names are Bexsero or Trumenba

    • Medical exemptions are permitted

  • If applicable, provide documentation of receiving the new combination MenABCWY meningococcal vaccination

    • The brand name is Penbraya

    • Medical exemptions are permitted

  • Provide a reference letter from one or more high school teacher(s)

  • Provide a brief essay (250 words or less) stating why they have chosen nursing as a career AND why they feel they are deserving of this scholarship, and how they will honor Kimberly throughout their nursing career.

Applications must be received by May 15. Winners will be announced in June. Applications are currently open for the 2025 award cycle.

All applicants’ information will be kept strictly confidential and is solely visible to the Kimberly Coffey Foundation. Applicant photos are only published after written permission from the applicant.


Want to Donate to the Kimberly Coffey Foundation Memorial Nursing Scholarship?

Donations to the Kimberly Coffey Foundation Memorial Nursing Scholarship can be made through our DONATE page. The Kimberly Coffey Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Or checks can be made payable to:

The Kimberly Coffey Foundation
34 East Main Street, Suite 326
Smithtown, NY 11787