Deborah Zastocki to Speak at EWNJ Dinner

Deborah Zastocki, President and CEO of Chilton Memorial Hospital, is the featured speaker at the October 21, 2010 Graduate Merit Awards Dinner hosted by Executive Women of New Jersey (EWNJ). The dinner, to be held at the Palace in Somerset, will begin at 6:00 pm and is an annual event of the EWNJ. This year, 23 women pursuing graduate level degrees at colleges and universities throughout New Jersey will be awarded over $65,000 in scholarships to continue their studies. Since the organization was founded thirty years ago, EWNJ has awarded over $1 million in scholarships to assist outstanding New Jersey women pursuing advanced degrees. No other women's organization in the Garden State has made such an investment in women pursuing graduate level studies.

According to EWNJ President Mary S. Hartman, who is the Founding Directorof the Women's Leadership Institute at Rutgers University, "Every year we're inspired by the women who apply for scholarships through our organization. We're awed by how well they juggle the demands of active personal lives, high-level professional careers, and challenging academic study. EWNJ is proud to assist them pursuing advanced degrees that will help them reach  next heights in their professional endeavors."

"We're particularly pleased to have Deborah Zastocki address our scholarship recipients this year," said Meg Paradise, Chair of EWNJ's Scholarship Committee and Director of the Women's Leadership Initiative at J H Cohn. "Deborah is a professional who truly understands the importance of advanced education for women today. As a CEO, role model, mentor, and friend she is an ideal candidate to tackle the issues facing our scholarship winners."

An accomplished administrator, nurse, teacher, and author, in 2004, Zastocki joined the ranks of only 25 other female hospital CEOs in New Jersey. One of her biggest accomplishments since stepping into her role as President and CEO of Chilton Memorial Hospital has been transforming the hospital's financial performance from that of a large operating loss to one of an operating gain within her first full year as CEO. Along with other awards and honors, Zastocki was also elected one of the Best 50 Women in Business by NJBIZ in 2010.

To be eligible for the EWNJ merit award, applicants must be pursuing graduate level degrees at New Jersey accredited colleges and universities further their careers. While EWNJ bestows scholarships on traditional graduate level students, the association is particularly interested in assisting non-traditional students who may be returning to their studies several years after completing their undergraduate degree or students who are pursuing advanced studies after having completed an undergraduate degree at a later age.

Scholarships will be presented to the following women:

• Marien Elizabeth, M.A. Diplomacy & Int'l Relations Candidate, Seton Hall
• Syrita Farrow, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Candidate, UMDNJ School of Osteopathic Medicine
• Jenifer Hashem, MD Candidate, UMDNJ
• Jennifer Jones, School Psy.D Candidate, Rutgers, The State University
• Cassandra Kahn, DMD Candidate, UMDNJ - New Jersey Dental School          
• Melissa Kibbe, Ph.D. Cognitive Psychology Candidate, Rutgers, The State University
• Gina Miranda-Diaz, DNP-Doctor of Nursing Practice Candidate, UMDNJ School of Nursing
• Felicia Miller, M.A. in Counselor Education-School Counseling Candidate, Kean University
• Lisamarie Moore, Ph.D. Neuroscience Candidate, UMDNJ
• Michelle Neidleman, Sc.D. in Audiology Candidate, Montclair State University
• Delina Parkhurst, Doctor of Dental Medicine Candidate, UMDNJ
• Demis Ros, MD Candidate, UMDNJ
• Mirvetk Tonuzi, MA Teaching and MA Educational Leadership Candidate, Fairleigh Dickinson University and Doctoral Candidate in Education Leadership, Management, and Policy, Seton Hall University
• Kahyun Yoon-Flannery, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Candidate, UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine

 Special awards will also be presented to:

• Bonnie Gordic, PsyD in Clinical Psychology Candidate, Rutgers, The State University: EWNJ's 30th Anniversary Scholarship (Most outstanding candidate)
• Nicol Brodie, M.A. Public Policy and Administration Candidate, Rutgers, The State University: President's Award (Outstanding candidate pursuing a degree in public service)
• Heidi Bramson, J.D. Candidate, Rutgers School of Law - Newark: Leslie Ehrlich Award (Outstanding candidate pursuing a degree in law) in honor of a past EWNJ board member
• Olena Kulyanda, MBA Finance Candidate, Montclair State University: Mary Jane Meehan Award (Outstanding candidate pursuing an MBA) in honor of a past EWNJ president
• Phoebe DelBoccio, M.S. in Professional & Technical Communications Candidate, New Jersey Institute of Technology
• STRIDES-Advancing Women in Business Award (Outstanding Achievement in Business or Technology)
• Kathy Foster, M.B.A. Candidate Concentration Accounting, Caldwell College: Syms Foundation Award (Outstanding candidate pursuing a degree in business)
• Stephanie Arena, M.S. Chemistry and M.A. Teaching Candidate, Fairleigh Dickinson University - South Jersey IndustriesWomen's Leadership Initiative Award (Outstanding candidate pursuing an advanced degree in Engineering or Energy Related field)
• Fabiana Di Sanzo,  Ph.D. Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Candidate, UMDNJ: PSEG Award (Outstanding candidate pursuing an advanced degree in Science, Technology, engineering, math or environmental science)
• Erika Enriquez, MBA Finance & MS AccountingCandidate, St. Peter's College: North Jersey Federal Credit Union Award (Outstanding candidate pursuing a degree in banking or finance)

The EWNJ Graduate Merit Award Dinner is sponsored by STRIDES - Advancing Women in Business - a Lowenstein Sandler initiative, J.H. Cohn and Chubb.
All are welcome to attend this inspirational evening. To register for the dinner, visit http://www.ewnj.org or call EWNJ headquarters at (609) 249-7982. The cost is $65 for EWNJ members and $79 for non-members.

EWNJ is a non-profit, professional association committed to promoting the advancement of women to the highest levels of business, the professions, and government.