A Gift That Lives On: Investing in the Future of Nursing
Key Takeaways:
• A $2 million gift established the Doreen Dimmitt Excellence in Nursing Scholarship at Moffitt to support education, training and technology
• Each year two accelerated nursing students are selected for compassion, leadership and patient-centered commitment
• This year’s scholars Olivia Gray and Amelia Dournaux were inspired by personal health experiences and caregiving
During one of life’s most difficult journeys, it is often the people who provide care, comfort and compassion who leave the deepest mark. For Doreen Dimmitt and her family, that lasting impression came from the extraordinary nurses at Moffitt Cancer Center.
In gratitude, the Dimmitt family made a generous $2 million gift to support nursing at Moffitt. This is an investment not only in Moffitt, but in the future of cancer care itself. The generous contribution supports nursing education, advanced training programs and innovative technologies, helping ensure that patients for generations to come receive the same exceptional care that meant so much to the Doreen and her loved ones.
At the heart of this gift is the Doreen Dimmitt Excellence in Nursing Scholarship, created to empower the next generation of oncology nurses. Each year, two outstanding students pursuing an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing are selected as Dimmitt Scholars. They are individuals who exemplify compassion, leadership, innovation and a deep commitment to patient-centered care, strengthening the future of the oncology nursing workforce.
This year, we are proud to recognize two remarkable future nurses whose personal stories reflect the very spirit of this scholarship.
Meet the Dimmitt Scholars
Olivia Gray is a oncology technician at Moffitt and hopes to become a nurse practitioner.
Olivia Gray, a student from the University of South Florida, brings a unique perspective shaped by her own experience as a patient. In her final year of college, Gray survived a life-threatening accident that left her with multiple serious injuries and required an extended hospital stay. That experience transformed her outlook, giving her a firsthand understanding of what it means to be vulnerable and reliant on the care of others.
Today, as an oncology technician at Moffitt, she approaches each patient with empathy, often drawing from her own experience to anticipate needs and provide comfort beyond clinical care. With aspirations to become a nurse practitioner, Gray is committed to expanding her impact and supporting patients through every stage of their journey.
Amelia Dournaux works as a certified nursing asssitant while she pursues her nursing degree.
Amelia Dournaux, a student from the University of Florida, was inspired to pursue nursing through one of the most personal experiences of her life: supporting her mother during a battle with stage 4 ovarian cancer. As a teenager, Dournaux stood beside her mother through treatment, witnessing both the challenges of cancer and the critical role compassionate caregivers play in moments of uncertainty. That experience became the foundation of her purpose and a promise to make a difference in the lives of others facing similar journeys.
As a certified nursing assistant, she has already demonstrated a passion for patient education and advocacy ensuring families feel empowered and supported throughout their care journey.
Recognizing Excellence and Potential
Selected through a highly competitive process in partnership with the University of South Florida, University of Central Florida and University of Florida, Dimmitt Scholars are recognized not only for their academic achievement, but for their potential to lead, innovate and elevate the future of oncology nursing.
As we celebrate Nurses Week, the Doreen Dimmitt Excellence in Nursing Scholarship stands as a powerful reminder of the impact nurses have every day and the importance of investing in those who will carry that legacy forward.
