Adventist HealthCare Celebrates Recipients of Lucy Byard Scholarship

Story by Adventist HealthCare

Adventist HealthCare leadership, church leaders, families and friends came together last fall to celebrate the 2025 recipients of the Lucy Byard Scholarship. The scholarship honors the legacy of Lucy Byard and reaffirms Adventist HealthCare’s commitment to treat all people with respect and compassion. The scholarship is a need-based, merit opportunity for nursing students that helps address racial disparities and economic inequities. Learn more at adventisthealthcare.com/lucybyardscholarship.

Taloria Edwards – Howard University student Taloria believes that healthcare “should be more than just survival, it should be an experience that uplifts, heals and affirms all patients and families.” Her commitment to service is seen through her work as a patient care technician at Children’s National Hospital, volunteering at community health events or leading initiatives through her college organizations.

Tyler Hamilton – Howard University student Tyler says, “The true meaning of community and service lies in one’s ability to leave a positive imprint on someone’s life.” Tyler began caring for others as a seventh grader at her church, where she “found joy in small acts of care.” Later, while seeing the fragility of life and the importance of compassionate care during first-hand as a medical scribe in the emergency department, she felt God confirmed that nursing was her calling.

Mona Okello – Oakwood University sophomore Mona hopes to become “an advocate for necessary change within the healthcare system.” Mona considered several career paths, from veterinarian to doctor to physician assistant to, finally, nurse – the common thread being caring for others. Shadowing a nurse for the first time at age 16, Mona quickly fell in love with the profession and developed a determination to “take care of those around (her) who are in need.”