POTTSTOWN, Pa. (May 20, 2026) – The Smith family, Pottstown Regional Community Foundation and Creative Health Services have named Nikki Lombardo and Xiomara Cosme as the 2025 recipients of the Behavioral Health and Registered Nurse Student Loan Assistance Program powered by the Diana Smith Memorial Endowment.
Lombardo, a counselor at Creative Health Services, and Cosme, a counselor in the Boyertown Area School District, were selected from seven applicants in the program’s second year. Each recipient will receive $3,000 over two years for student loan repayment, helping reduce one barrier for professionals working in fields where local demand for behavioral health and health care services remains high.
The program’s funding comes from the Diana Smith Memorial Endowment, established in memory of Diana Smith, a beloved school nurse who served the Boyertown Area School District for 20 years. Smith’s family created the endowment to continue her commitment to students, families and community health by supporting professionals who provide care close to home.
“One of the greatest challenges in our communities is meeting the need for local accessible and affordable behavioral health and other health services,” Dr. Andrew Trentacoste, CEO and Clinical Director at Creative Health Services, said. “Diana was an extraordinary example of someone committed to the health of her community. We are truly honored that the Smith family has chosen to honor her legacy by working to expand the availability of professionals to serve her beloved community.”
Meet the 2025 recipients
Xiomara Cosme serves as a school-based counselor in the Boyertown Area School District. Her path to counseling was shaped by firsthand experiences with addiction, language barriers and the importance of trusted support during difficult moments. Cosme expressed her desire to help students who share her background and language know they are not alone, and that they can move beyond feelings of hopelessness.
“My social worker helped me. She wanted the best for me and wanted to see something good come out of something that looked so dark,” Cosme, said. “That support changed how I saw my future. I became a counselor because I want students facing difficult moments to know someone understands them and believes they can move forward.”
Nikki Lombardo is a counselor at Creative Health Services, where she has worked for more than 21 years. Lombardo’s interest in behavioral health began in adolescence, when a close friend faced serious mental health needs at a time when stigma was high and resources were limited. She later volunteered with a handbell choir for adults with physical and behavioral health challenges, an experience that connected her love of music with service to others.
“I found a deep peace in helping others, and that experience shifted my path in a new direction,” Lombardo, said. “Since then, I have stayed rooted in behavioral health, working in schools, homes and the community, and I find great satisfaction knowing I have made a difference in people’s lives.”
Both recipients expressed a commitment to continuing their professional growth and using their experience to support children, families and community members across the region.
About the program
The Behavioral Health and Registered Nurse Student Loan Assistance Program powered by the Diana Smith Memorial Endowment is designed to support and retain qualified professionals working in behavioral health and nursing roles in the Boyertown and Tri-County area.
“Giving through the Foundation allowed us to honor Diana’s memory by making a difference where it mattered most, right here in our own community,” Doug Smith, Diana’s husband said. “Knowing this gift will continue to support local families for generations brings us incredible joy.”
Key program details include:
- Award: $3,000 per recipient over two years, distributed as $1,500 at the time of award and $1,500 after completion of year one.
- Eligibility: Applicants must have a graduate degree in behavioral health or be credentialed as a registered nurse.
- Student loan requirement: Applicants must have at least $10,000 in student loan debt.
- Service commitment: Recipients must work in the Boyertown and Tri-County area for at least two years.
- Preference: Preference is given to applicants employed in the Boyertown Area School District or at Creative Health Services, including behavioral health counselors, registered nurses and school nurses.
The Smith family, PRCF and Creative Health Services hope the program continues to strengthen behavioral health services and health care in the Boyertown area, ensuring that future generations benefit from compassionate care.
How to support the program
Community members interested in supporting the Diana Smith Memorial Endowment may contribute online at https://prcf.short.gy/DSME-Donate. Donations help continue and grow the Student Loan Assistance Program for future nurses and behavioral health professionals serving the Boyertown and Tri-County area.
Professionals interested in applying during the next program cycle, usually around October, are encouraged to stay connected with Pottstown Regional Community Foundation for future application announcements. To receive updates, sign up for the Foundation’s newsletter at https://prcf.short.gy/DSME-News and follow PRCF on social media at PRCFconnect.
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About Pottstown Regional Community Foundation
Pottstown Regional Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization connecting philanthropic intentions with community needs across the greater Pottstown region, supporting health intervention, education innovation, and economic opportunity for all residents. Committed to improving quality of life within a 10-mile radius of Pottstown, PRCF serves as a convener, funder, and steward for sustainable, community-driven solutions. To learn more, visit pottstownfoundation.org.
About Creative Health Services
Creative Health Services empowers individuals, families and communities through quality behavioral health care. The organization provides services that support children, adults and families across the region. To learn more, visit creativehs.org.
