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:
PAST SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS:
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