Arnetha V. Bishop Memorial Scholarship Fund

Arnetha Venetta Austin Bishop, MA, RN, was born on September 15, 1933, in Panama City, Republic of Panama to the late Edith Albertha Trotman Austin (Cuba/African Diaspora) and Harris Harrigan Austin (Barbados/African Diaspora). Anita, as she was affectionately known, completed her elementary education at Escuela Republica de Haiti, and her Secondary education at the Pan American Institute. She attended the Nazarene Christian Church, 14th Street, Rio Abajo, the Iglesia Metodista El Malecon, and Grace Methodist Church in Guachapali, where her Dad was the Pastor. Anita graduated from the Pan American Institute in 1952 and received a scholarship to attend the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing, Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota. She received her bachelor’s degree in August 1956. Subsequently Anita attended the New York University and received a Master of Arts degree in Education in June 1963. Her area of specialty was Psychiatric Nursing. While attending NYU she did clinical training at Einstein Hospital in the Bronx. She worked for a time at the East Harlem Protestant Parish, Church of the Ascension, and at their clinic on 100th Street. She became an American Citizen. She was employed at Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx when she decided to return to Panama to work at the Gorgas Hospital on the Canal Zone. She also worked at the Corozal Mental Health Center where she developed and taught a program for Nursing Assistants. Anita worked at the Fort Hamilton Veteran Administration Hospital as a Psychiatric Clinical Specialist. A few years prior to her retirement she transferred to the St. Albans VA. While there she continued to focus her attention on Alzheimer's, long-term care and geriatric care. In 1995 she was presented Certificates of Appreciation from the Department of Veterans Affairs, St Albans VA Extended Care Center For outstanding contribution to the "Learning About Patient Abuse" Program, and in recognition of twenty-four years of outstanding service to the Brooklyn Veterans Administration Medical Center.

This fundraiser will support The Arnetha V. Bishop Memorial Scholarship which was established by her children and grandchildren to continue her commitment to supporting providers and community members working to raise mental health awareness and make services available to all. This scholarship is intended to assist BIPOC students in meeting their financial needs as they complete their degree.