The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine annual scholarship “Be Like Bryant” at Bellin College was created to inspire the next generation of nurses to slow down and practice their soft skills of empathy, leadership, and community building, just like Bryant had.

Being a great nurse requires more than just clinical training, it requires heart. While mastering technical skills is vital, soft skills like empathy, a positive attitude, and the ability to communicate with patients and colleagues set a good nurse apart from a great nurse. Bryant Hodkiewicz embodied this balance perfectly, bringing both skill and compassion into every day of his career.

Bryant graduated from Bellin College in 2000 and started working at Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists (OSMS) as an orthopedic nurse, where he not only stood for his passion for his career, but also for building meaningful relationships with everyone he encountered.

“In every facet of his life, Bryant led by example and went the extra mile for others,” said Sandy Fragale, Chief Executive Officer at OSMS, “For his patients, Bryant would go out of his way to wow them by calling every single one of them after surgery to follow up and check in to see how they were doing. To go even further in his community of Oconto Falls, he would personally stop at his patients’ houses to check in on them. He was always showing his patients how much he truly cared about them and letting his coworkers know he would always be someone to turn to.”

After Bryant died in February 2024, his family and colleagues wanted to honor his life and pass on the values that Bryant lived by. OSMS created an annual scholarship through Bellin College named “Be Like Bryant” to inspire the next generation of nurses to slow down and practice their soft skills of empathy, leadership, and community building, just like Bryant had.

“Be Like Bryant is defined in this way: Work hard on developing meaningful relationships. Be willing to share your skills and knowledge to educate and empower those around you. Show unlimited empathy with every interaction. And in Bryant’s own words, ‘Slow down and realize what is important and what you are thankful for,’” says Fragale.

In his more than twenty years at OSMS, Bryant left a positive mark on the people around him, leading by example and caring deeply for his patients, family, and community. The Be Like Bryant scholarship awards one scholarship per year to a Bellin College student who reflects the qualities and values Bryant practiced.

“OSMS and Bryant’s family hope that the recipients are inspired by Bryant’s story and they will look for an applicant who reflects the qualities and values most like Bryant’s,” says Fragale. “The recipient will be someone who values building and developing relationships with anyone they encounter and expressing empathy within those relationships, especially with patients. They will understand the importance of their technical skills, but excel in their soft skills, setting themselves apart. And finally, the recipient will understand there is no need for competition, as in healthcare, everyone is equal, united to meet the same goal.”