Houston, MO— The Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation awarded $7,000 in scholarships to area students to assist with their educational costs for the 2018 fall semester.
Receiving $1,000 scholarships from the TCMH Healthcare Foundation were Melanie Evans and Kylee Elmore of Houston, Connie Brooks of Willow Springs, Lexis McNiel of Plato, and Mattison Davidson of Mountain Grove.
Evans is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Central Methodist College in Fayette, MO. Evans is a registered nurse who works full time at TCMH Hospice of Care.
Elmore is working on a bachelor’s degree in exercise science with a Physical Therapy track at Hannibal LaGrange University in Hannibal, MO. Elmore plans to become a physical therapist herself one day.
Brooks is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Central Methodist College in Fayette, MO. Brooks is a registered nurse who is employed full time at TCMH as the education director. Brooks also serves at the stroke and STEMI coordinator.
McNiel is attending Cox College in Springfield, MO and pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in nursing, and eventually become a pediatric nurse practitioner.
Davidson completed three years of pre-requisites for pharmacy school at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, MO. Then she started pharmacy school at the University of Missouri—Kansas City, Springfield Campus. She will begin her third year this fall. Davidson hopes to work in a hospital as a pharmacist once completing her schooling.
Brooks and Davidson have both received the TCMH Healthcare Foundation Scholarship in previous semesters.
The Dr. Eugene Charles Honeywell Memorial Scholarship awarded one $1,000 scholarship to Jesse Kuhn of Salem. Kuhn was chosen by the Healthcare Foundation directors and Carol Honeywell, the widow of Dr. Eugene Honeywell.
Kuhn is currently working on a bachelor’s degree in cell and molecular biology. Kuhn hopes to one day become a doctor.
The endowed Dr. Joe L. and Judith T. Spears Memorial Scholarship Fund awarded one $1,000 scholarship to Christa Pamperien of Mountain Grove.
Pamperien is currently pursuing a master’s degree in physician assistant studies at Stephens College in Columbia, MO in the hope of working as a physician assistant in a rural, medically underserved community.
“Educational scholarships are one of the focus areas of the TCMH Healthcare Foundation,” Jay Gentry, Healthcare Foundation director, said.
The Healthcare Foundation holds an annual golf tournament to raise funds for educational scholarships for area students. The Healthcare Foundation has received $3,000 in matching funds from Healthcare Services Group Foundation (HSGCF).
The HSGCF program provides matching financial assistance to students awarded financial assistance by hospitals that are members of the Healthcare Services Association and insured by the Missouri Hospital Plan. Specifically, HSGCF matches scholarships or healthcare related tuition reimbursement provided by non-profit member hospitals throughout Missouri. This scholarship program is designed to facilitate, attract, and retain healthcare providers in Missouri.
“The matching funds from HSGCF enable us to boost the amount of our fall scholarship,” Gentry said. “Every dollar helps these area students with their educational costs, and we’re grateful for the additional funds to award.”
The Healthcare Foundation awards educational scholarships for students pursuing additional higher education each spring and fall. With the recent scholarship awards, the Foundation has awarded $92,000 in scholarships to area students since the program began in 2007.
“The Healthcare Foundation administers the scholarships for the endowed funds, and the scholarships go to community members and to employees working in healthcare-related fields in Texas County and surrounding areas,” Gentry said.
According to Gentry, the Healthcare Foundation intends to award two more $1,000 scholarships prior to the spring school semester in 2018. The Foundation will accept applications for the spring scholarships beginning in November.
Applications for the scholarships are available through the Foundation or on the TCMH website.
“The Foundation board of directors recognizes the growing need for healthcare providers in rural America,” Gentry stated. “It is the hope of the Foundation that these scholarships will assist in attracting and retaining qualified residents to work in the local healthcare fields.”
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For additional information, contact:
Kory Loden
Public Relations/Marketing Assistant
Texas County Memorial Hospital
Phone: 417/967-1251
kory.loden@tcmh.org