Dr. Charles Hamlin, was a renowned orthopedic surgeon specializing in surgery of the hand, had outstanding training at Roosevelt Hospital, Hospital for Special Surgery, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in New York. Dr. Hamlin attributed his ability to form trusting relationships with his patients due to his study of the humanities and having undergone a full Freudian analysis, thereby able to sense the messages that patients try to send but are not verbalizing. Dr. Hamlin was honored by The American Society for Surgery of the Hand with the Volunteer Service Award and by the Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) with the Humanitarian Award for providing years of expert care to the Navajo Nation - all at no cost to the patients. For this work, he was also presented with the Navajo Indian Health Service Directors Award. Dr. Hamlin was inspired to create this nursing scholarship in honor of Mary Vass, RN. As a high school student, she came into the Hamlin home to help in the care of the three young children. At that time, Dr. Hamlin’s Father was in the Pacific Theater during WWII for over three years. Later, Dr. Hamlin’s Father provided funds for a nursing degree for Mary Vass and she enjoyed a long career in nursing in Boston, MA.

Given Dr. Hamlin’s dedication to Native American people and culture, his named scholarship, established in 2021, will give preference to the following:

• a nurse with Native American heritage;
• a nurse focusing on the care of Native American people;
• a nurse devoted to the field of orthopedics; or
• a nurse who cares deeply about preventing burnout in the healthcare workplace.

This award underscores the importance of the study and care of people of diverse cultures; the specialty of orthopedic nursing care; and the prevention of burnout for all healthcare professionals.