Bill and Maria Boyce Donate to AHN West Penn Hospital School of Nursing in Honor of Margaret Boyce, Class of 1947

PITTSBURGH - Allegheny Health Network's (AHN) West Penn Hospital School of Nursing today announced a transformative gift from Bill and Maria Boyce of Houston, Texas. This donation establishes the Margaret Lesko Boyce Endowed Fund, a permanent endowment dedicated to supporting current and future nursing students by providing essential supplies and removing financial barriers that can hinder their education.

The Margaret Lesko Boyce Endowed Fund is made in loving memory of Bill's late mother, Margaret Boyce (née Lesko), a proud graduate of the nursing school's class of 1947.

Margaret Boyce served as a nurse with unwavering dedication, and her son Bill remembered her as "nothing but practical as a nurse." This ethos inspired the Boyce family's decision to direct their gift towards supporting students with the tangible resources they need to succeed in their demanding studies and future careers.

"My mother cherished her time at West Penn Hospital School of Nursing, and it truly shaped who she was as a caregiver," said Bill Boyce. "Maria and I wanted to create a way to honor her memory while also making a tangible difference for students who are pursuing this vital calling. We believe that by ensuring they have the resources they need, we can help alleviate some of the financial burdens that can stand in the way of their dreams."

The gift will directly assist nursing students with the costs of critical learning tools, such as stethoscopes, uniforms, shoes, and other supplies essential for academic success and clinical practice. The specific allocation of the funds will be determined in collaboration with the Boyce family, but will focus on areas that provide direct, practical assistance to students. This could also include scholarships for living expenses or support for critical licensure exam preparation.

By addressing these needs, the endowment will enable more students to focus on their studies and practical training, ultimately fostering a more diverse and robust nursing workforce.

"We are incredibly grateful to Bill and Maria Boyce for this profoundly thoughtful gift and their foresight in establishing this vital fund," said Amy Stoker, PhD, RN, Director, AHN Schools of Nursing. "The Margaret Lesko Boyce Endowed Fund will have a profound impact on our students, ensuring they have access to the resources necessary to excel in their education and become the compassionate and skilled nurses our community so desperately needs. It is a beautiful tribute to Mrs. Boyce's dedication to nursing."

After practicing law for two decades, Bill Boyce served as a justice on the 14th Court of Appeals in Houston for 11 years. He is the past chair of the Houston chapter of Healthcare for the Homeless. Maria is also a long-time Texas attorney who is dedicated to addressing health equity issues and has served on multiple health-related boards.

This donation arrives at a crucial time as healthcare systems continue to emphasize the importance of a robust and well-supported nursing workforce. AHN's Schools of Nursing - which include the West Penn school in Pittsburgh's Bloomfield neighborhood and Citizens School of Nursing in Tarentum, Pa. - remain committed to training highly skilled and compassionate nurses who are ready to meet the evolving challenges of modern medicine.