Eula Sforza Scholarship Award

We are honored to recognize Eula Sforza, RN and her contributions to Catholic Nursing through this annual scholarship award.

Eula Sforza, RN was know to many as a remarkable and inspirational Catholic Nurse. Having served as a nurse in World War II, she knew first hand the battle in this world between good and evil. Eula was strong in her Catholic faith and brought joy to those she encountered professionally and personally.

Once she retired from nursing, Eula was a daily communicant, enjoyed being involved with her grandchildren and was the well-loved matriarch of her family.

For NACN-USA, she worked tirelessly to bring both the national association and her local council to fruition with her focus to help nurses remain strong in their faith.

History of Service

1993-1996

  • Eula Sforza, 1st President,
  • NACN-USA [Board: Eula Sforza (IL), Marylee Meehan, VP (MA), Mary Pellizzari, Secretary-Treasurer]
  • NACN-USA reorganized under the auspices of the Joliet Diocese in Illinois with Bishop Joseph L. Imesch as 1st Spiritual Advisor.

During Eula’s Tenure

  • 1994 – Twenty (20) nurses attend the XV International Committee of Catholic Nurses & Medico- Social Assistants (CICIAMS) World Congress in Belgium & NACN-USA becomes full voting member of CICIAMS rendering all members of NACN-USA also members of CICIAMS through the Association.
  • 1995 – NACN-USA held its 1st conference in Tucson, Arizona.
  • Additional regional & national conferences were held for networking, education in Catholic medical ethics and spiritual growth.
  • Members also received email, website and newsletter.

How To Apply

Send a letter of intent to the Scholarship Committee.

View the list of all required documents.

Upload and submit your completed documents.

Eula Sforza Scholarship Recipients

Spring 2025

Bridget Hamilton, BSN, PHN, MPH, PhD Candidate

Bridget works full-time as a registered nurse for the Georgia Department of Public Health while pursuing graduate school full-time online as a PhD nursing student at University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina.

She obtained an undergraduate nursing degree at Duquesne University with and emphasis in public health. Bringing her Catholic faith and her nursing practice together Bridget declared “My goal is to get into a position within academia where I can advance Catholic morals and ethics through every student who I interact with in addition to using Catholic morals to underpin my research.” Robin M. Dawson, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, FAAN, Academic Dean, described Bridget as “professional, compassionate, and determined that her career choices will make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable.”

Marianna Goettemoeller, BA in Theology, RN Student

Marianna obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Theology at Benedictine College and is currently a nursing student at Bryan College of Health Sciences in Lincoln, Nebraska.

She expressed that she intends “to become a nurse that affirms the dignity of every human person as Jesus heals my patients physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally through me.” Her pastor and spiritual director affirmed, “Mariana’s sense of integrity and commitment to the good of others is high. Her active and practicing Catholic faith grounds her and provides her with a wellspring for compassion and dedication to others.”