Endometriosis Research Center Announces Winner of Nancy Petersen, RN Nursing Scholarship
Award Seeks to Increase Endometriosis Awareness Among Future Healthcare Leaders
Delray Beach, FL, August 08, 2007 --(PR.com)-- The Endometriosis Research Center is extremely pleased to announce that Mary Zipperer of Wisconsin has been selected as the winner of the ERC Nancy Petersen, RN Nursing Scholarship for the 2007-2008 academic year. The award, created in recognition of the ERC's tenth anniversary and Endometriosis Awareness Month, honors the decades of effort “Nurse Nancy” has contributed to the global Endometriosis Community.
“All of our applicants were outstanding and expressed qualities that will serve them well in their professional nursing careers,” said ERC Founder and Executive Director Michelle Marvel. Applicants were judged based on their cumulative grade point average, community involvement, and an accompanying essay which detailed their professional and educational goals, why Endometriosis is an important area of patient care, and how the applicant hopes to impact the disease - and those affected by it - in a positive manner. “Ms. Zipperer was chosen as the sole recipient of our award based not only on her stellar academic performance, but for also embodying the spirit of the award and striving to make a positive difference in the Endometriosis community. It is our privilege to award this merit-based scholarship to such a deserving candidate,” said Marvel.
Endometriosis is a painful reproductive and immunological disease in which tissue similar to that which lines the uterus migrates and implants in other areas of the body. Affecting more than 5.5 million women and girls in the United States alone with over 70 million more worldwide, the illness continues to be stigmatized simply as “killer cramps.” A leading cause of female infertility, chronic pelvic pain and gynecologic surgery, Endometriosis accounts for more than half of the 600,000 hysterectomies performed in the U.S. annually. Symptoms include pelvic pain, infertility, pain with intercourse, gastrointestinal difficulties, fatigue, allergies, and immune system dysfunction. Researchers remain unsure as to the definitive cause of Endometriosis, which can only be diagnosed through surgery, though current studies indicate that gene dysregulation, immune system dysfunction, and exposure to environmental toxicants may be contributing factors. There is no absolute cure for Endometriosis, and recent research has even shown an elevated risk of certain cancers and autoimmune disorders in those with Endometriosis, as well as malignant changes within the disease itself.
Ms. Zipperer, who suffers from Endometriosis herself, has worked hard to overcome the disease in order to help others. “My goals are first to complete my nursing degree. Secondly, to be able to be a contact person for the purposes of Endometriosis education. My personal experiences show how disabling Endometriosis can be. I want to share my experiences with other women and girls so that they, too, can have an optimistic outlook as they deal with this disease,” said Mary. She believes so strongly in the cause that she left her lucrative corporate profession to become a Registered Nurse. Ultimately, she hopes to become a nursing professional working primarily with Endometriosis patients, in order to help women and girls become educated about the illness and obtain the best care they can. “When I was diagnosed with Endometriosis, none of the nurses within the clinic knew anything about the disease, or very little. They even commented 'it's just like bad cramps'. They were unable to help me with any of my questions. Their lack of knowledge has driven me to become a well-versed resource in Endometriosis, and I want to be the resource that makes a difference in the care the Endometriosis patient receives,” said Ms. Zipperer, who also selflessly volunteers as an EMT and First Responder in her community. “I am humbled to be the recipient of this first-time scholarship,” she said. “Nancy Peterson has done so much for the Endometriosis community.”
Nancy Petersen, RN is an ERC Advisor with over forty-five years of achievement in nursing and women's health. She is globally renowned for her pioneering efforts in Endometriosis education, awareness and patient support, and implemented the country's first Endometriosis program to feature Laparoscopic Excision surgery (LAPEX). Her groundbreaking work has led the way to improved patient care and empowered countless women and girls to live well in spite of the disease. The Scholarship, named in honor of her ongoing achievements and contributions, is intended to help a deserving nursing student pursue their dream of a career in the reproductive health or other Endometriosis-related field.
The ERC is 501(c)3 tax-exempt, tax-deductible organization that has been dedicated to serving the international Endometriosis community for a decade. The foundation has been facilitating disease research, raising awareness at the state and federal levels, and providing free patient education and support since its inception. “It is the ERC’s hope that by using the ‘power of one,’ we will help make a small difference in raising disease awareness among our healthcare leaders of tomorrow,” said Marvel.
For more information about Endometriosis, contact the ERC online via endocenter.org or call the organization toll free at 800/239-7280.
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“All of our applicants were outstanding and expressed qualities that will serve them well in their professional nursing careers,” said ERC Founder and Executive Director Michelle Marvel. Applicants were judged based on their cumulative grade point average, community involvement, and an accompanying essay which detailed their professional and educational goals, why Endometriosis is an important area of patient care, and how the applicant hopes to impact the disease - and those affected by it - in a positive manner. “Ms. Zipperer was chosen as the sole recipient of our award based not only on her stellar academic performance, but for also embodying the spirit of the award and striving to make a positive difference in the Endometriosis community. It is our privilege to award this merit-based scholarship to such a deserving candidate,” said Marvel.
Endometriosis is a painful reproductive and immunological disease in which tissue similar to that which lines the uterus migrates and implants in other areas of the body. Affecting more than 5.5 million women and girls in the United States alone with over 70 million more worldwide, the illness continues to be stigmatized simply as “killer cramps.” A leading cause of female infertility, chronic pelvic pain and gynecologic surgery, Endometriosis accounts for more than half of the 600,000 hysterectomies performed in the U.S. annually. Symptoms include pelvic pain, infertility, pain with intercourse, gastrointestinal difficulties, fatigue, allergies, and immune system dysfunction. Researchers remain unsure as to the definitive cause of Endometriosis, which can only be diagnosed through surgery, though current studies indicate that gene dysregulation, immune system dysfunction, and exposure to environmental toxicants may be contributing factors. There is no absolute cure for Endometriosis, and recent research has even shown an elevated risk of certain cancers and autoimmune disorders in those with Endometriosis, as well as malignant changes within the disease itself.
Ms. Zipperer, who suffers from Endometriosis herself, has worked hard to overcome the disease in order to help others. “My goals are first to complete my nursing degree. Secondly, to be able to be a contact person for the purposes of Endometriosis education. My personal experiences show how disabling Endometriosis can be. I want to share my experiences with other women and girls so that they, too, can have an optimistic outlook as they deal with this disease,” said Mary. She believes so strongly in the cause that she left her lucrative corporate profession to become a Registered Nurse. Ultimately, she hopes to become a nursing professional working primarily with Endometriosis patients, in order to help women and girls become educated about the illness and obtain the best care they can. “When I was diagnosed with Endometriosis, none of the nurses within the clinic knew anything about the disease, or very little. They even commented 'it's just like bad cramps'. They were unable to help me with any of my questions. Their lack of knowledge has driven me to become a well-versed resource in Endometriosis, and I want to be the resource that makes a difference in the care the Endometriosis patient receives,” said Ms. Zipperer, who also selflessly volunteers as an EMT and First Responder in her community. “I am humbled to be the recipient of this first-time scholarship,” she said. “Nancy Peterson has done so much for the Endometriosis community.”
Nancy Petersen, RN is an ERC Advisor with over forty-five years of achievement in nursing and women's health. She is globally renowned for her pioneering efforts in Endometriosis education, awareness and patient support, and implemented the country's first Endometriosis program to feature Laparoscopic Excision surgery (LAPEX). Her groundbreaking work has led the way to improved patient care and empowered countless women and girls to live well in spite of the disease. The Scholarship, named in honor of her ongoing achievements and contributions, is intended to help a deserving nursing student pursue their dream of a career in the reproductive health or other Endometriosis-related field.
The ERC is 501(c)3 tax-exempt, tax-deductible organization that has been dedicated to serving the international Endometriosis community for a decade. The foundation has been facilitating disease research, raising awareness at the state and federal levels, and providing free patient education and support since its inception. “It is the ERC’s hope that by using the ‘power of one,’ we will help make a small difference in raising disease awareness among our healthcare leaders of tomorrow,” said Marvel.
For more information about Endometriosis, contact the ERC online via endocenter.org or call the organization toll free at 800/239-7280.
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Contact
Endometriosis Research Center
Michelle E. Marvel, Executive Director
800-239-7280
www.endocenter.org
Michelle E. Marvel, Executive Director
800-239-7280
www.endocenter.org
Contact
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