In honor of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Murtha of Essex, the Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley will be awarding scholarships to residents of Essex, Chester, Deep River and Old Saybrook who are planning to pursue a career in health care. Priority will be given to those who are entering the nursing profession.

One or more scholarships will be awarded, with $2,000 being the total of all awards. Scholarships will be given on the basis of academic achievement, volunteerism and motivation.

Application forms are available at the Visiting Nurses’ office at 61 Main Street, Suite 5, Centerbrook, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The application deadline is April 26, 2013, and all required materials must be received by this date. For further information, or to request an application call 860.767.0186, or email Susan Maxwell at smaxwell@visitingnurses.org.

Established in 1920, Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley, Inc. (VNLV) is a full-service home care agency serving the 13-town lower Connecticut River valley region. VNLV provides comprehensive, personalized services that foster health, independence, dignity and comfort through home-based healing, education, and health-oriented community outreach initiatives; as well as geriatric care management, escorted transportation, homemakers, and companions through its subsidiary Lower Valley Care Advocates.