Linda Leary Reliable Caregivers Nursing Scholarship supports undergraduate single-parent students

Linda Leary, founder and president of home health care provider Reliable Caregivers, arrived in San Francisco in 1978 as a single mother of three young children. She worked nights as a home health aide and attended nursing school during the day. Her natural skill as an administrator and salesperson soon set her apart from others who attempted to bridge the gap between nursing and business ownership. She was soon in the position to open her first medical staffing agency, and by the time she sold her agency to a national home health care operation, her venture had surpassed $3 million in annual revenue. After three years, her non-compete agreement had expired and she returned to the home care industry, and launched Reliable Caregivers in 2003.

Only through a scholarship program was Leary able to afford nursing school. Wishing to give back, she created the Linda Leary Reliable Caregivers Scholarship for the benefit of an SF State School of Nursing student who is working toward a degree while balancing the responsibilities of parenthood.

Scholarship awardee Xiao Li (Sherri) Zhang expressed her gratitude, writing to Leary, “I plan to be a public health nurse after graduating from SF State and continue serving underserved patients in the community. The financial assistance you provided will be of great help to my family. Through this, I am one step closer to my goal. … I am hoping one day I will be able to help students to achieve their goals just like the way you helped me.”