Photo Caption: Desiree Luong, receives the Vivian Wettingfeld Memorial Nursing Scholarship presented by Bethany Anderson BSN, MBA, WCA Foundation board member.

Jamestown– Desiree Luong received a scholarship of $640 from the Vivian Wettingfeld Memorial Nursing Scholarship endowment at the WCA Foundation. Luong began her career as a patient care technician at UPMC Chautauqua. She is a recent graduate from the Jamestown Community College School of Nursing, Class of May 2025. She will pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Luong was inspired by her grandmother whom she cared for after her grandmother lost her vision.

Luong’s career nursing goals closely match those of the late Vivian Wettingfeld, who attended the former WCA Hospital School of Nursing and became a registered nurse. Mrs. Wettingfeld worked in surgery and later worked in her husband’s medical practice. Her nursing career spanned over 40 years. Her impact in the field of nursing inspired her husband, Dr. Robert Wettingfeld to create a nursing education endowment at the WCA Foundation in her memory.

Kristin Melville, executive director, WCA Foundation remarked, “We’re so proud to award UPMC Chautauqua staff with financial support to build upon their knowledge and experience. It’s an investment in meeting the health care needs of our community.”

The WCA Foundation celebrates 43 years in supporting medical care. The foundation is 501c3 non-profit organization founded by grateful patients whose sole purpose is to advance patient care throughout all departments of UPMC Chautauqua. To create an endowment or enhance current educational scholarships visit wcafoundationjamestown.org or contact the foundation’s office at 716-664-8665.