Blue Ridge Care Honors Founder Helen Zebarth with Nursing Scholarship at Laurel Ridge Community College

Winchester, VA — Blue Ridge Care and Laurel Ridge Community College are proud to announce the creation of the Blue Ridge Care Helen Zebarth Nursing Scholarship, established to honor the vision and legacy of hospice founder Helen Zebarth and to celebrate 45 years of compassionate service in the community.

The scholarship will support nursing students at Laurel Ridge Community College who demonstrate a passion for compassionate, patient-centered care. The same dedication that inspired Helen Zebarth to pioneer hospice services locally. At a time when hospice care was non-existent in the region, Zebarth recognized the need for end-of-life care and took bold steps to make it accessible to families in need. “This scholarship honors Helen’s extraordinary vision and unwavering commitment to compassionate care,” said Jason Parsons, President and CEO of Blue Ridge Care. “By supporting Laurel Ridge Community College nursing students, we are continuing her legacy empowering the next generation of nurses to lead with empathy, courage, and innovation.”

The Blue Ridge Care Helen Zebarth Nursing Scholarship will award $2,500 annually to a Laurel Ridge Community College nursing student who exemplifies academic dedication, leadership potential, and a commitment to compassionate care. It represents a shared investment in the future of nursing and reinforces the importance of mentorship, innovation, and community service in healthcare.

Scott Vanderkooi, Ed.D., NRP, Dean of Health Professions at Laurel Ridge Community College, emphasized the impact of the clinical affiliation started back in 2025. “The collaboration with Blue Ridge Care has opened new opportunities for our students that we did not previously have. While our faculty are outstanding nurses, partnerships like this provide students with experiences that strengthen their foundation through the support of our broader healthcare community. The team at Blue Ridge Care have been invaluable in sharing expertise on hospice and end-of-life care, offering presentations, preceptorships, and mentorship that have inspired many students one who is now employed with Blue Ridge Care. We deeply value this partnership and look forward to growing together.”

As Blue Ridge Care celebrates its 45th anniversary, this scholarship stands as a lasting tribute to one woman’s vision and the enduring power of community partnerships to nurture the next generation of healthcare leaders.

Liv Heggoy, Associate Vice President of Development and Executive Director, Laurel Ridge Community College Educational Foundation added, “We are grateful to join Blue Ridge Care in honoring Helen Zebarth, a remarkable nurse and visionary founder. As we congratulate Blue Ridge Care on 45 years of service, we extend our sincere thanks for this generous gift. It is an honor to help carry forward Helen’s legacy and to raise awareness of the wonderful professional opportunities in nursing. We hope this scholarship inspires future trailblazers who will continue to strengthen the health of our communities.”

As Blue Ridge Care celebrates its 45th anniversary, this scholarship stands as a lasting tribute to one woman’s vision and the enduring power of community partnerships to nurture the next generation of healthcare leaders.

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About Blue Ridge Care

Blue Ridge Care is an integrated, not-for-profit healthcare system that delivers compassionate, high-quality care across a healthcare system of non-acute services, including hospice, serious illness care, home-based care through its Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) at Blue Ridge Independence at Home, grief and bereavement support, and community thrift shops. As a teaching organization, Blue Ridge Care is dedicated to advancing the education and training of healthcare professionals and caregivers, while reimagining care to address the medical and holistic needs of aging individuals and those with chronic, serious, and terminal illnesses.

About Laurel Ridge Community College

Laurel Ridge Community College’s mission is to provide a positive, caring and dynamic learning environment that inspires student success, values diversity and promotes community vitality. The college offers more than 75 associate degree and certificate programs, and more than 40 fast-track career training programs. Learn more by visiting laurelridge.edu, or calling 800-906-5322.