Adam’s Legacy
Passing the Flame to the Future
About Adam Brotman
Think about what happens to a flame passed from candle to candle. The original flame does not move. What moves is the capacity to burn, transferred through contact, through proximity, through the willingness of one burning thing to lean toward another that is not yet burning. The flame does not know it is being passed. But the one who leans toward it does. And the new flame is not identical to the old one. It catches the air differently. It will burn brighter in different conditions. And yet we do not say the light has been lost. We say it has been passed.
-Asher Knight
This scholarship honors the memory of Adam Brotman, a man committed to building community who possessed a soul as wise as it was kind. Adam was a true force of nature who believed in the power of a second act. After transitioning into nursing as his second career, he became far more than a healthcare provider. He was a dedicated mentor, an advocate for the overlooked, and a steady presence for those who felt unseen.
Adam valued authenticity rather than perfection. He was a gifted nurse and a loyal friend who chose to work harder whenever things got tough. He stood firmly against injustice and had a rare magnetism, greeting every stranger with the warmth of a long-lost friend. Adam lived with a profound sense of empathy and action, leaving behind a legacy of service as a beacon of light to many.
His impact reached far beyond his local community. In addition to founding the San Diego Chapter of the American Association for Men in Nursing, he was honored at the national level with the Lee Cohen Award for his substantial contributions to the profession. Yet beyond his many accomplishments, he was a trusted mentor and a source of wisdom who made everyone around him feel safe to be exactly who they were.
The Adam Brotman Legacy Scholarship aims to alleviate the financial burden of higher education for nursing students, helping them pursue their academic dreams at a qualified institution.
We invite all students who embody the spirit and dedication that Adam embodied to apply for this award.
This scholarship is open to students of any age, gender, and background.