Derry Ann Moritz Scholarship

An opportunity for PhD students in Palliative Care

Students planning to attend the PhD program at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing who are focusing their dissertation on adult palliative or end of life (EOL) care are eligible for two years of tuition and a $5,000/year stipend through the Derry Ann Moritz Scholarship in Palliative Care.

1958 class photo of Derry Ann Moritz

Provided by the generous support of the Derry Ann Moritz Endowed Scholarship Fund, this two-year scholarship includes participation in clinical experiential activities that focus on palliative or EOL care, joining palliative care professional organizations and attendance of annual online training.

 

  • Meet CWRU/FPB Qualifications for PhD Program
  • Minimum clinical experience of 1 year in adult hospice and/or palliative care OR minimum clinical experience of 1 year in adult acute care working with palliative care team.
  • Dissertation topic must be in the area of adult palliative care and/or EOL care. Preference given to candidates who are interested in studying topics that focus upon nurses in palliative or hospice care.
  • ELNEC certified preferred (if they do not have it, they will need to take the ELNEC modules during the first 2 years of the program).

Requirements

  • Must be a U.S. citizen or have permanent residency status
  • Must hold a bachelor's degree
  • Must be licensed as a registered nurse in the United States (once enrolled, the student will need to obtain an Ohio nursing license)
  • Commitment to full­-time study in Cleveland, Ohio

Financial Support

  • Four (4) years full tuition in the PhD program
  • $6,000/year stipend
  • Required to attend AAHPM/HPNA Conference annually

Requirements

  • 1040 research hours/year with a portion (1/4-1/3 at the discretion of PhD advisor) being devoted to clinical experiential activities that focus upon palliative care (see "Clinical Experiential Activity Opportunities" tab below)
  • Submit a pre-doctoral training grant (F31) application during first year of scholarship
  • Take a minimum of 2 courses in areas related to palliative and/or EOL care (see "Course Offerings, Webinars, Online Trainings" tab below of known course offerings)
  • Participate in a minimum of 1 webinar or online training/year (see "Course Offerings, Webinars, Online Trainings" tab below)
  • Join a minimum of one palliative care professional organization (e.g. AAHPM/HPNA [Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association], PCRC [Palliative Care Research Cooperative Group], CAPC [Center to Advance Palliative Care])
  • Participate in a palliative care/EOL journal club (CCF, UAB, etc.)
Organization Activity Contact Person
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
  • Participate in meetings (case presentations, research presentations, webinars, etc.)
  • Clinical observation focused upon palliative care nurses and MDs in the clinical area (rounds, etc.)
  • Potential to participate in SCC-PC quality improvement activities
Richard Lee, MD
Supportive Oncology-SCC
Cleveland Clinic Foundation
  • Participate in palliative care journal club activities
  • Observational experience with palliative care nurses and MD in outpatients and inpatient settings
Elizabeth Weinstein, MD
MetroHealth Medical Center
  • Observational experiences with palliative care nurses and MD in outpatient and inpatient settings
Elizabeth O'Toole, MD
VA Medical Center
  • Observational experiences with palliative care nurses and MD in outpatient and inpatient settings
TBD
Hospice of the Western Reserve
  • Outpatient community palliative care activities
TBD
Medical University of South Carolina
  • Potential for an observational rotation (via telehealth)
Patrick Coyne, MD
University of Illinois-Chicago
  • Potential for collaboration (Dr. Voss is a colleague)
  • Potential access to existing data sets
Ardith Doorenbos, PhD
Director, Palliative Care
University of Washington
  • Potential for collaboration (Dr. Voss is a colleague)
  • Potential access to existing data sets

J. Randall Curtis, MD, MPH

Organization Course/Webinar/Training Title About
CWRU-MSASS SASS 318: Death, Grief and Loss (3 credits) Course Info
CWRU-Bioethics (Medical School) BETH 401: Foundations of Bioethics I (includes death and dying—consider an audit of the course) Course Info
CWRU-Bioethics BETH 415G: Death, Dying and Euthanasia: Netherlands and the USA (international intensive course) Course Info
CWRU-Bioethics BETH 416: Death, Dying and Modern Medicine Course Info
Cleveland State University-Social Work SWK 648: Grief, Death, Loss and Life Course Info
Colorado State University HDFS 332: Death, Dying and Grief (online course) Course Info
Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) Seven pages of online continuing education classes all focused upon palliative care nursing and medicine (requires paid membership) Online Training
Palliative Care Research Cooperative (PCRC) Webinars and palliative care intensives (some available to non-members as well) Online Courses
Harvard Center for Palliative Care (HCPC) Webinars and intensive classes on palliative and EOL care (some require payment) Online Courses
ELNEC Communication Course New ELNEC interdisciplinary communication course Online Training

To Apply

Submit/upload the following items with your completed PhD application through the School of Graduate Studies:

  • An essay in the form of an official letter requesting consideration for this highly competitive scholarship.
  • The letter should address:
    • How you meet the requirements and eligibility criteria for the funding as outlined above,
    • A description of your achievements;
    • And personal characteristics that set you apart from others who will also be requesting this funding.

For further application instructions, visit our Admissions Page.