Each year, our Union awards scholarships to qualifying members to help them fund their continuing education pursuits. In these times, advancing one's education and having a bit of help to pay for it makes a huge difference.

We're so proud of our 2024 SEIU Local 121RN Scholarship winners!

$2,000 Robert Thomas Memorial Scholarship

Robert Thomas was an RN at Pomona Valley Hospital who was active in Local 121RN until his health prevented him from doing so.

This memorial scholarship is awarded to one SEIU 121RN member who meets all eligibility criteria and who is actively involved in the union (as an Executive Board member, Bargaining Team member, Steward, committee member, etc.)

Congratulations to this year's winner...

Leo Perez-Ferrer, RN, Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, President, SEIU 121RN

Leo is an Emergency Department Nurse at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, where he has worked for the last 25 years, 12 of them in nursing. Prior to becoming an ED nurse, he held jobs at the hospital as an X-Ray Film Technician, a Certified Nursing Assistant, and a Licensed Vocational Nurse. In his long career in healthcare, Leo has seen the impact that union advocacy has on patient care.

In September of last year, Leo spoke out about the importance of California’s nurse to patient ratios in an LA Times cover story probing the reasons that nurses are flocking to California.

Leo was born in a small town in the Mexican state of Guerrero, the eldest of 7 children. He immigrated to the US in 1979. He lives with his wife—who is also a nurse—in Flagstaff, Arizona. He is the father of two and grandfather of three.

$1,000 Educational Scholarships

Congratulations to the 11 SEIU Local 121RN members who were awarded a $1,000 scholarship toward their continued education!

Kimberly Galindo

Riverside Community Hospital

Aurina Asusta

Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center

Sarava Torres

Barlow Respiratory Hospital

Sharmaine Faye Laurel

Providence St. Joseph Medical Center

Gloria Mateos

Encino Hospital Medical Center

Sydnie Boylan

Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center

Tracy Pryor

John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital

Mary Hawara

Los Robles Regional Medical Center

Shannon George

Northridge Hospital Medical Center

Juanita Jimenez

St. John's Hospital Camarillo

Edward Ramirez

St. John’s Regional Medical Center

General Qualifications:

Must be a Local 121RN member in good standing for at least 12 months prior to application

Must be enrolled at an accredited university in a nursing or healthcare related field.

Members will be selected by seniority based upon adjusted hire date. Priority is given to those who have not received an SEIU Local 121RN scholarship in the past.

A member may receive the Robert Thomas Memorial Scholarship only once.

Members working at hospitals that joined 121RN less than one year ago must have been employed at the facility for at least one year.