Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is proud to announce the establishment of the Simone M. Blanchette Endowed Scholarship, a new initiative designed to support nursing students at the College. The scholarship, funded by a generous $100,000 donation from alumna Rhonda Blanchette Loveitt (SJC ‘83), honors the enduring legacy of her aunt, Simone M. Blanchette, and the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing.
The Simone M. Blanchette Endowed Scholarship aims to provide financial assistance to both on-campus and commuter nursing students at Saint Joseph’s College, bridging the past with the future. This scholarship represents a lasting tribute to the compassionate leadership and community spirit that defined Simone Blanchette’s life and career and comes from a powerful story.
About Simone Blanchette
Born in Eagle Lake, Maine, Simone M. Blanchette graduated from the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in 1959. She dedicated over 40 years to nursing, specializing in nephrology and contributing significantly to Maine’s healthcare community. After completing her BSN in 1970, Simone trained in Boston to launch Maine’s first outpatient dialysis services and spent her career at Maine Medical Center as a Nurse Manager in nephrology. Colleagues remember her as a compassionate, empathetic leader who was a powerful advocate for her nursing staff.
Simone maintained a close relationship with Mercy Hospital School of Nursing for over six decades, attending reunions and other occasions within this community. She was deeply committed to her Catholic faith, volunteering as a Eucharistic Minister and Parish Nurse at Holy Cross Church in South Portland, ME.
Ms. Blanchette was an inspiration to many family members pursuing careers related to the care and service of others. She was a significant influence for two nieces, Rhonda Blanchette Loveitt (SJC ‘83) and Gwen Blanchette Kolegue (SJC ‘79) who followed in her footsteps and graduated from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine’s nursing program.
Rhonda recalls her time at SJC as transformative, saying, “SJC did amazing things for Gwen and me. We found support in the College’s tight-knit community and inclusive environment.” That, along with support from SJC and their Aunt Simone, provided them what was needed to succeed in their professional careers and had a profound impact on future life decisions.
During her final years, Simone shared her desire to make a meaningful contribution to the Nursing Program at Saint Joseph’s College with Rhonda. This scholarship is a fulfillment of that wish, ensuring that Simone’s dedication to both the nursing profession and her Maine roots will continue to inspire future generations of students. Rhonda states that her decision to establish a nursing scholarship to honor her aunt was what she called a “God wink, it was just meant to be. This endowed scholarship honors Simone Blanchette’s legacy, her lifelong dedication to nursing, and the transformative impact of Saint Joseph’s College on her family’s lives.
Cutting-Edge Nursing Education at Saint Joseph’s College
Nursing students at Saint Joseph's College (SJC) benefit from the newest, cutting-edge nursing training facility in Maine, the Center for Nursing Innovation (CNI). Phase 1 of the CNI opened in 2023 and features a simulated hospital and home health floor, which allow students to practice their skills through advanced simulations using high-tech adult, pediatric, and maternity mannequins, as well as a simulated home health "apartment."
Fundraising is currently underway for Phase 2 of the CNI, which will involve the renovation of two additional wings. One will offer a large student-faculty advisement area, while the other will house three large smart classrooms and three new simulation labs focused on Primary Care, Psychiatric/Social Work, and Telemedicine. The Primary Care and Psychiatric/Social Work SIM labs will each feature a control room where faculty can observe and guide students through a one-way glass. This integration of nursing practice, social work, and healthcare administration students in the simulations mirrors the collaboration between nursing and allied health professionals in real-world patient care, particularly in primary care settings.
Saint Joseph’s College is committed to providing students with the best possible education, preparing them for success in the dynamic healthcare environment.
To learn more about how you can support the second phase of the Saint Joseph’s College of Maine Center for Nursing Innovation Center please contact the Advancement Office at 207.893.7890.
About Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
Founded in 1912 by the Sisters of Mercy, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is Maine’s only Catholic liberal arts college. Located on the shores of Sebago Lake in Standish, Maine, the 474-acre campus offers 46 undergraduate programs and a Division III athletic program to a population of approximately 800 on-campus students. In 2015 the College was selected by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of teaching to receive throughout its mission and daily interactions on campus and with local, regional, and global communities. In addition, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine provides certificates, undergraduate, and advanced degrees to approximately 1,200 more working adults who reside throughout the United States and in more than 20 other countries through an online learning program. Learn more at www.sjcme.edu.
Rhonda Blanchette Loveitt & President Joseph Cassidy
