1963 Nursing Graduate's Lifelong Passion to Help and to Heal

With a dream to make a generational impact, Carole Torchia Barankiewicz has generously established a sizeable endowment at OSF Saint Anthony College of Nursing in Rockford, Illinois. The lifelong nurse, who graduated from Saint Anthony's School of Nursing in 1963, has witnessed an immense evolution in her field and seeks to provide financial assistance to students for generations to come.

"My dream is to financially support students who desire to pursue the vocation of nursing," Carole said. "At the time I chose to pursue a nursing career in the late 1950s, the cost was a strain for my parents who had immigrated from Italy. I vividly remember what it felt like to struggle, and I want to help excellent students who are in need, students who realize becoming a nurse is a calling."

Carole shared that as the youngest of six, her parents were not pleased that she was interested in becoming a nurse. Most of her peers were becoming teachers or secretaries, and she noted that the nursing profession was not highly respected in the late 1950s and early 1960s. However, her brother, Samuel, who was 18 years older than Carole, married a nurse who became Carole's inspiration.

The LaSalle, Illinois, native who moved to the Rockford area with her late husband, Walter, in 1992, prefers that the scholarships be awarded to Winnebago or Stephenson County residents. Although her gift is in its infancy stage, Carole said her goal is "to provide the most lasting and most giving gift possible. At the time I went to nursing school, it was a lot of money for my family, but not nearly what it is today." Carole's daughter, Terry Cravens, added, "In our family, free is not good. We believe students must have skin in the game. When students appreciate the struggle, they appreciate the gift. Our mom greatly appreciated becoming a nurse. Hopefully, the recipients of our mom's scholarships will one day reflect on the generosity of her gift and pay it forward. It's all about living out our Catholic social teachings and ethics."

After taking a tour of Saint Anthony College of Nursing two years ago, Carole was completely impressed with the facility and the technological advances the students have the opportunity to experience. In particular, Carole shared that as nursing students in the early 1960s, they practiced starting IVs on each other. She was grateful to see that human patient manikins offer simulation training to today's nursing students.

The mother of three daughters, grandmother of nine and great-grandmother of six firmly believes that a college education is not for everyone; however, she is especially proud that one of her grandchildren, Amanda Polizzi, also chose to graduate with a degree in nursing and has excelled in the profession for more than a decade. "My mom was absolutely Amanda's inspiration," Terry said. "In fact, we were honored that Amanda received her pin from my mom at her graduation ceremony. It makes me emotional when I think about it. Although my daughter faced significant health challenges while working on her degree, my mom and I believe the challenges she deals with have made her a more compassionate nurse."

Today, Carole appreciates that the nursing field offers such a myriad of opportunities for students to explore. From LPN to RN to BSN to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to a Doctor of Nursing (DNP), she applauds the scope of study through OSF.

"My lifelong passion has been to help and to heal," Carole said. "There is so much need. I looked for a need and found where I could help the most. My dream is to help OSF Saint Anthony College of Nursing educate compassionate nurses."