After his wife, Beth Joksimovic, passed away in 2006, Peter Nierman and his family wanted to make a difference and carry on her legacy. They established the Elizabeth L. Joksimovic, or ELJ, Foundation in her memory.
When it came to deciding where to direct their giving, Beth’s family knew one area they wanted to focus on was supporting oncology nurses, who’d been a bright spot during a difficult time. Not only had oncology nurses lifted Beth’s spirits during her treatment for gastric cancer, but they were also essential to her care.
The family chose to support nurses at Rush, where Beth spent nearly 20 years working in the Office of Philanthropy, contributing to the mission of providing accessible, compassionate care.
The foundation began fundraising through events like “Bowling for Beth,” commemorating a moment early in the couple’s relationship when Beth out-bowled Peter three games in a row. The events served as a way to keep the couple’s two young children connected to all the people who’d loved Beth, while also raising support for causes that had meant the most to her.
Scholarships offer growth opportunities for nurses
To support oncology nurses’ continuing education, the ELJ Foundation created a scholarship program at Rush. As the healthcare environment rapidly evolves, it’s increasingly important to support nurses’ continued education, allowing them to stay up to date on the latest innovations in care.
Peter hopes the scholarships enable oncology nurses to become even more involved in the treatment of future patients.
“We want them to be able to help in that treatment team process of knowing how to handle side effects of medication, along with how to maximize the benefits and the tolerance,” he said. “And understanding the science behind the decisions the doctors are making, as well as the protocols they’re utilizing, so the nurses can be an even more vital part of the team.”
One recipient of the award, Giovanna Zito, MSN, RN, CMSRN, AMB-BC, LSSGB, has been doing just that. With a scholarship from the foundation, Zito attended the American Organization for Nursing Leadership Conference.
“That experience was truly pivotal,” she said. “It strengthened my leadership skills, expanded my national nursing network, and reinforced the importance of empowering ambulatory and oncology nurses as strategic leaders in education and clinical excellence.”
The experience also led her to develop a Head & Neck Cancer Survivorship Guide, which is now in use across five Rush sites. Zito said the guide has had a tangible, lasting impact on patient care.
“It fills a critical gap for patients transitioning from active treatment to survivorship by providing clear follow-up plans, supportive resources and practical tools, ensuring no patient feels alone during this phase of care.”
This type of nurse-led innovation has been gratifying to see, according to Peter.
“Giovanna was so enthusiastic and very motivated,” he said. “She was exactly what we were hoping for.”
The work is just as personal to Zito as it is to Beth’s family.
“I am the daughter of a two-time cancer survivor, the granddaughter of a metastatic cancer patient, and I’ve also experienced my own cancer scare,” Zito said. “These experiences have reinforced why continued professional development for nurses matters so profoundly.”
If you’re interested in learning more about how you can support cancer nursing scholarships at Rush, contact Clare Longfellow at clare_longfellow@rush.edu. With your help, we’re creating a healthier world.
