Get involved and help us match the MetroSquared Foundation gift!

Terri Tonsetic was a sister, wife, mother, friend, and a nurse! She was called to the profession at an early age, as most nurses would say. Prior to graduating from high school, while on an admissions interview at a local school of nursing, Terri was told that she was not cut out to be a nurse and that she would not be accepted.

With unyielding support from her parents, she never took “no” for an answer and strived to achieve her dreams of becoming a registered nurse. She attended Beaver County Community College in Monaca, Pennsylvania for two years and then graduated successfully with honors from Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. After graduation, she accepted a position at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was there that Terri worked as a flight nurse, in addition to caring for patients in the critical care department and emergency room.

To Terri, nursing was more than just a profession. It was Terri's calling. Her love and care for people was evident throughout her life. When a young mother was told that she could not accompany her daughter while doctors were performing tests, Terri stayed with the little girl, holding her hand throughout the exam, bringing comfort to both the little girl and her mother.

Ultimately, Terri became the Vice President of Clinical Sales for McKesson Corporation, where, in 2004, she was named Clinical Sale’s Executive of the Year.

Sadly, Terri is no longer with us; but her legacy as a nurse, a colleague, friend, sister, mother and wife live on in the Terri Tonsetic, RN Memorial Scholarship Fund, established by her husband, James Sagan, family and friends of Terri Tonsetic, and matching gifts from the McKesson Foundation.

Her husband, James Sagan explains “Terri was a great example of someone who really loved her work, had a strong work ethic and everything she accomplished was a reflection of who she was and where she came from. Her stamina, strength, great humor, and compassion were always admired by colleagues, friends and family. She always took pride in coming from a blue collar working family from Pittsburgh.”

Today, the Terri Tonsetic, RN Memorial Scholarship Fund is sponsored by the MetroSquared Foundation. Passion, care, and support are at the heart of the mission of this very special foundation that seeks to assist caregivers, homeless children's shelters, military veterans, individuals with medical debt, and of course future nurses - a profession that Terri truly loved!

Support from the nursing profession and future nurses serves as a commitment to future flight nurses, emergency room nurses, and critical care nurses who care for their patients at moments of dire need and insurmountable odds. Without nurses, many patients would not be able to receive lifesaving treatments and care.

Today, your gift can make a difference in the life of a future nurse! Donate today and support critical care, emergency and flight nurses through the Terri Tonsetic RN, Memorial Scholarship Fund to ensure that more nurses can graduate on time and enter the nursing workforce. Your donation can help the career of a future nurse take flight!

Click here to read more about Terri Tonsetic, RN an the impact this memorial scholarship is having on new nurses.