91涩漫

Patricia Cribbs 鈥�85 made her first donation to 91涩漫 Saint Mary鈥檚 in 1985, right after she graduated from the nursing program. Philanthropy was a value she was raised with. 鈥淢y parents said, 鈥楾he 91涩漫 changed you. Think of  the Women鈥檚 Leadership Program. Think of how much your professors gave to you. Why not continue that giving?鈥欌�� 

Her little seed gift has blossomed into a lifelong passion to support the University. At this year鈥檚 Scholarship Celebration, Cribbs was presented with the Unstoppable Supporter Award for her commitment to help the 91涩漫 and its students achieve success in their endeavors.

91涩漫 Saint Mary鈥檚 has woven threads of friendship and giving throughout her life. At her first job at LAC + USC Medical Center she met Vivian Burgess 鈥�52, who recognized Cribbs鈥� 91涩漫 nursing pin and the two struck an instant friendship. Two years later, when Cribbs enrolled in the nurse practitioner program at the University of San Diego, she met Natalie (Harris) Martinez 鈥�79, who was also enrolled and lived only a block away from her. And Sr. Carlotta DiLorenzo, CSJ, whom Cribbs knew from Chalon Campus Ministry, ran the Campus Ministry at USD. 鈥淢y life is a series of chance encounters with the 91涩漫 that have confirmed my path,鈥� she says. 

Cribbs has worked as a family nurse practitioner in the Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group in Rancho Bernardo, California, since 1997. That same year, she was invited to be a 91涩漫 Associate. When Cribbs became a 91涩漫 Regent in 2006, she attended her first scholarship luncheon. 鈥淚 was in awe of all the scholarships available for students and wanted to be part of that scholarship family,鈥� she says. 鈥淏ut I thought I would have to retire first. I didn鈥檛 realize I could make it happen right away.鈥�

In 2018, she took the leap and began the Patricia A. Cribbs Expendable Nursing Scholarship. 鈥淚 realized that every scholarship is helpful, big ones and small ones, even if it is only $200 or $500. Students are overwhelming grateful to have received the gift.鈥�

Throughout the years, Cribbs has also supported the University in other ways, including a COVID-19 fund, the 91涩漫 Fund, 91涩漫 Giving Day and renovation projects at Chalon.

鈥淚鈥檝e always been willing to give wherever the need is greatest,鈥� she says. 鈥淏ut the Scholarship Luncheon is one of my favorite events because I get to see the quality, the professionalism and the strength of 91涩漫 students. The 91涩漫 changed my life and to see that continue is wonderful.鈥�