Hi everyone, hope you all are staying safe this year!
I made some cool career changes this year.  I moved from the Multi-Trauma Unit to the Trauma ICU turned COVID ICU at Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, CO September 2020. I made new friends and learned a lot more clinical and critical thinking skills. It is definitely hard work especially going into a new area, it was a shock at first but I was able to adapt and learn from my peers who have been in the “trenches” of COVID from the very beginning. I am learning a lot about myself this year and sticking up for myself and my wellbeing and even the wellbeing of my patients and their families. Selfcare has been a big role in my life these days. I felt a lot of grief in my time in the ICU and started to look in to travel nursing so I can take more time off and be closer to family on west coast with the bonus of making a little bit more money. It felt like I need a breath of fresh air. The beautiful thing about nursing is that you can change and find new areas when you are feeling a little burnt out. Travel nursing entails that I go through a nursing agency that will connect me with job opportunities across the U.S. that need increased staffing due to staff turnover or because they need more hands because of the influx of patients being admitted to the hospitals. Contracts can be anywhere from 4 weeks-13 weeks. I took my first contract in June 2021 in the ICU at a hospital in Spokane, Washington. I got to explore some beautiful national parks and even adventure over to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to hang out on one of the nicest lakes I have ever seen. I got to bike through an old railroad tunnel Bridge between Idaho and Montana called the Hiawatha Trail! I think the change of scenery has really helped with my mental health and just the feeling of taking a breath of fresh air and not feeling stuck. My next adventure will be to Las Vegas, Nevada in the ICU for a 2-month assignment and then I will get to be by my family there. I am excited for this new chapter in my nursing career! I have loved every minute of it! For future assignments I am looking at New York, Arizona, and California! I am still very thankful for the job I have and cannot wait to see what else it has in store. 

Stay Safe!
Molly

​Since graduating in May of this year, my life has done a 180 degree flip. In three short months, I moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, took (and passed!) the NCLEX, and began my career as a nurse on a neurosurgery floor at UPMC Passavant. Although this time was stressful, and I found myself missing home often, I finally felt like I was living the life I had always dreamed about.

However, none of this would have been possible without the TJ Memorial Fund, Pam, and Steve. And because of this, I am forever grateful to them for helping me!

​Oh, how much has changed since I have written an update for you all! Not to sugarcoat it - the beginning of COVID kicked my butt a little with finding a job..but after passing the NCLEX and the most unpredictable interview, I am officially coming up on my one year on the Blood Cancer Unit at Presbyterian St Lukes. I am sure I can predict all the reactions - but I assure you, I love my job. If you remember all the way back to when I wrote my essay for this scholarship - I mentioned courage, how I wanted to pass on to my patients the courage to show the world that they are more than their diagnoses. In a turn of events, this unit has shown me what courage looks like. My patients have taught me what courage is and what love is. I have always known love and seen it, but I have never felt it the way I do in this unit. This unit shows me every day how fragile but beautiful life is. I am proud to be a blood cancer nurse and be a part of every patient's story, for they have shown me what courage, love, and gratitude should look like every day of our life. I think of my patients every day when I wake up and have begun living my life through love and grace. 

Pam, Steve, and all the Myrick supporters have brought me to this unit. You all showed me love and compassion without a second thought. I carry your love with me every time I am with my patients. I hope to continue advancing in my career while keeping in touch with my second family - all the Myricks. ❤

Sending all my love and wishes to you all!

Madison

​Regis was connecting with some of our scholarship recipients, and I figured I’d share some quotes of what students said about the impact your scholarship is making in their lives:
 
The most important thing I would say is that this scholarship has helped my financial journey through Regis immensely. I have always dreamt of being a nurse, and being able to go through the nursing program at Regis with this scholarship has made it so much easier to focus my time on becoming the best nurse I can, instead of focusing on how I’m going to achieve that financially. It is all thanks to the scholarship and Pam and Steve Myrick. I am so grateful for them and the opportunity they have given me. Thanks again! Let me know if you need anything else. 
 
-Chloe Weigum
 
 
The scholarship given to me by Pam and Steve Myrick in memory of their son, has meant the world to me. Nursing is my calling and thanks to this blessing I can focus on my education of healing others in their toughest moments, without the additional financial stressors that come with attending such an amazing nursing school. Being a first generation college student this scholarship has lifted a tremendous burden not only from my shoulders but my families as well, I cannot express how grateful I am for Pam and Steve’s generosity.
 
- Kara Rodeheaver

After much consideration, due to all the uncertainty over the Covid - 19 virus, we have made the very difficult decision to cancel the 2020 TJ Myrick Memorial Golf Tournament. The coronavirus has caused an economic impact that has made it extremely challenging and difficult to organize our tournament, and for us to reach out to our sponsors and participants at this very troublesome financial time. We know that if it’s challenging and difficult for us, it must be for you as well. Therefore, we do not wish to add additional stress to our friends, families, and supporters. You all have been so kind and generous with your donations.

We wish to thank all of those that have already registered and paid. You will receive a refund in the mail very soon. Because this virus has the ability to quickly spread, we feel it is just too dangerous and irresponsible to put any of you or your families at risk. We have your safety and well-being in mind, first and foremost.

We wish to assure you Regis University’s Loretto Heights School of Nursing will be awarding both scholarships this fall. Alexa, this year’s senior, and the junior, yet to be announced, will each receive their $5,000.00 scholarships. We are delighted to inform Regis that this would not have been possible if it hadn’t been for your continuous commitment to the TJ Myrick Memorial Golf Tournament.

NOW, MORE THEN EVER YOUR DONATION IS NEEDED. IF YOU CAN AND WOULD
LIKE TO MAKE A DONATION, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT
TJMEMORIALFUND.ORG AND CLICK ON THE CONTRIBUTE TAB, THEN CLICK ON
DONATE, SCROLL DOWN AND KINDLY MAKE YOUR DONATION. FROM THE
BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS, WE THANK YOU❤

After graduating in May 2018, I have definitely grown into a nurse that I want to be and I am continuing to grow. I found my voice as a leader on the Multi-Trauma Unit at Swedish Medical Center and I am excited to start studying for my TCRN, Trauma Certified Registered Nurse! I used to be very shy and I have found my voice on the floor with both my coworkers and my for my patients. I am more comfortable with delegating tasks and being there for my team! Being a Charge Nurse has boosted my confidence in the knowledge that I have. I couldn’t be more grateful for the scholarship and how it helped me be stress free throughout school while trying to get the fundamentals of nursing done! I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for my Regis Family!

For those of you who don’t know, my name is Alexa Grygorcewicz, and I was the recipient of the TJ Myrick Scholarship for the 2019-2020 school year. This past December, I completed my first semester of nursing school at Regis University. Although I faced many challenges, my love for this profession has only grown.

This past semester was filled with moments of happiness, as well as stress. The first eight weeks of nursing school prepared me to work in a clinical setting. Therefore, I was pushed to learn as much as I could, as fast as I could. During this time, I found it difficult to balance school, work, and my social life. However, this challenge gave me the opportunity to strengthen my time management skills and learn the importance of self-care.

During the second half of the semester, I spent less time in the classroom and more time in the hospital. Although nerve-racking, I felt prepared to provide safe, high-quality patient care. As I completed my clinical hours, I slowly began to realize the real reason as to why I wanted to become a nurse. I want to become a nurse because I believe that it is my job to advocate for those who are unable to advocate for themselves. In addition, I also believe that my role as a patient advocate includes providing equal care and showing kindness to all patients.   

​With that being said, I am excited for what the future holds. I am eternally grateful for the Myrick family, as they have made my dream of becoming a nurse a reality.  I would also like to thank my patients, as they have made me the person I am today.

My time at Regis is hurling to an end! I have about seven weeks until I am officially a Regis Alumni with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing! I wish I could send you all a graduation announcement for I couldn’t do it without your support, but not to worry, I’ll see you all at the golf tournament in June! By that time, I will be well on my way to being a registered nurse (is it just me, or is that crazy to think about?). I am just now starting to send in my application to hospitals, so all ten fingers and toes crossed! Still not positive where I want to end up, I just want to start giving care.

Along the lines of me graduating, I have some fun news! Throughout my time at Regis and in the nursing program, I have found myself toe to toe with challenges and moving moments. Through these moments and self-reflection, I have further discovered my love for nursing and newly my love for God. Since this discovery, I found His Healing Hands. This organization gives opportunities to those who feel inclined to go help heal His people in countries where it is needed, demonstrate His love through treatment, and spread His Word. I am excited to announce that I will be participating in the Philippines Mission Trip from May 21-30, 2020! This is a wonderful opportunity and I can tell that this will change me in all the right places.  My heart can barely contain how much love I am ready to give the Filipino people.  I know this is just the tip of the iceberg for me and what I am going to do for all of His people. If you feel inclined to support me and those accompanying me on this trip, below is how you can donate. This trip is projected to cost $2500, but thoughts and prayers are also appreciated as the date approaches for our departure. I appreciate you all for taking the time to read this and donate if led to do so! I will see you all after I return, just in time for the golf tournament!

Two years ago, I would not have had the confidence to something like this mission trip. Your support combined with the Myrick’s has given me the confidence to go into this world with the attitude that I can do anything I set my mind to. You can bet that I am going to carry that with me for the rest of my life and give my patience that same confidence.

So excited for June to come! I hope to see the same faces from last year and so many more!  Remember: all ten fingers and toes crossed.

How you can donate:  Go to www.hishealinghands.com/philippines2020.  Click donate at the right top.  Select 2020 Philippines from the Categories & Funds drop down menu.  Be sure to select Madison Fliedner's name.  And, of course it is tax deductible.

Here we are in the year 2020 and that means it’s time for the 5th Annual TJ Myrick Memorial Golf Tournament.  We hope that all of you that have come in years past, will join us again. 

And for those who have never played, we invite you to come.  It truly is one of the most enjoyable golf tournaments out there and here’s why : we finish in a very reasonable time, no waiting on the tee boxes because we don’t overload the number of golfers, this keeps things flowing nicely.  We also provided breakfast and a great lunch , lots of great prizes, three flights with 1st and 2nd winners, and last but not least, a picture is provided free of your 4some.

Don't forget to take a look at our Sponsorship Packages under the Contribute tab, then click on Donate or Sponsorship. We have so much to offer this year. So come check it out! 

We have 4 hole- in- one contest holes and they are free. Yes free.  You will have four chances to win $5,000.00 for a hole-in-one.  We actually had a winner last. year.  Yes you read right,  Jason Pott won his 1st hole-in-one at our golf tournament and received $5,000.00.  You could be the next hole-in-one WINNER!.

So please come join us.  You are in for a fun filled day and that’s a promise!!

I can’t believe it has already been two months since the tournament – how does the time go by so quickly and how do we make it stop!? It was absolutely wonderful to get the opportunity to spend time with all of you Myrick supporters and the Myrick’s (it was also great to see someone make a hole in one – congrats!). It’s wonderful to see how much support and LOVE you guys have for not only this foundation, but also Steve and Pam. I left the tournament filled with love and support to last me a lifetime. You all inspired me to be more active in my community and help support other foundations with volunteering. I hope to one day be able to participate in this tournament – so everyone better watch out ;) I am looking forward to seeing you all (and hopefully more) at the tournament next summer and the summers to follow! You can’t get rid of me just because I am graduating. I’ll be sticking around for quite some time just to ensure everyone gets the opportunity to feel my gratitude and love I have for all you supporters! 

Wish me luck as I begin my senior year at the end of August and you all will be hearing from me very soon! Thanks again!

As always…with all my love,

Madison