Celebrating the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Nursing Scholarship Recipient

Left to right: Immacula Cann, DNP, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Silver Hill Hospital, William Villafranco, Trustee & CEO, Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, Maciel Ortiz, 2025 Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Scholarship Recipient & Alexander Sanger, Trustee & COO, Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.

Silver Hill Hospital and the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation were honored to recognize the second recipient of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Nursing Scholarship, Maciel Ortiz. This program creates life-changing opportunities for local students entering the nursing field and aligns with Silver Hill Hospital’s mission to reduce suffering from mental illness and addiction which would not be possible without our nurses 

Maciel was chosen for this award in recognition of her academic excellence, her hands-on work in mental health, and her ability to balance these accomplishments while being a dedicated mother of two. With her sights set on becoming a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Maciel has the passion to make an extraordinary impact in the future of mental health care. 

Maciel shared what receiving this scholarship means to her: “This scholarship represents an investment in my potential to serve others, particularly those in underserved communities who lack access to quality mental health care. My long-term goal is to become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, working to break the stigma surrounding mental illness in the Hispanic community and advocating for comprehensive, accessible care.”

The award was presented at Silver Hill Hospital by Andrew J. Gerber, MD, PhD, President and Medical Director of Silver Hill Hospital; Immacula Cann, DNP, RN-BC, Chief Nursing Officer of Silver Hill Hospital; William Villafranco, Trustee and CEO of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation; and Alexander Sanger, Trustee and COO of the Foundation. 

We extend our deep appreciation to the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation for its generosity, vision, and commitment. The Foundation’s dedication to improving conditions for families and building educational opportunities aligns closely with Silver Hill Hospital’s vision in a world free from stigma and isolation where psychiatric care is accessible to all. 

Together, we celebrate not only Maciel’s achievements but also the shared commitment of Silver Hill Hospital and the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation to supporting the future of compassionate and skilled nursing professionals.

Left to right: Andrew J. Gerber, MD, PhD, President and Medical Director, Silver Hill Hospital, Maciel Ortiz, 2025 Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Scholarship Recipient, Casey Haffner, MA, People Operations Manager, Silver Hill Hospital, Immacula Cann, DNP, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Silver Hill Hospital, William Villafranco, Trustee & CEO, Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, Alexander Sanger, Trustee & COO, Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation and Richard Canning, Chair of the Board, Silver Hill Hospital

Left to right: Andrew J. Gerber, MD, PhD, President and Medical Director, Silver Hill Hospital, Alexander Sanger, Trustee & COO, Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, Maciel Ortiz, 2025 Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Scholarship Recipient & her family, Immacula Cann, DNP, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Silver Hill Hospital, William Villafranco, Trustee & CEO, Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation and Richard Canning, Chair of the Board, Silver Hill Hospital