Houston, MO— The Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation awarded $8,100 in scholarships to area students to assist with their educational costs for the 2019 fall semester.

Receiving $900 scholarships from the TCMH Healthcare Foundation were Jenny Sawyer and LaDawna Carman of Houston, Mattison Davidson and Madeline Shelley of Mountain Grove, Connie Brooks of Willow Springs, Cora Turnbull of Bucyrus and Jesse Kuhn of Salem.

Sawyer is pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing through Central Methodist College in Fayette, MO.  She is a registered nurse and is employed full time at TCMH as the infection control director.

Carman is pursuing a dual health degree through Drury University and Cox College of Nursing. Carman will receive a bachelor of science in health services management and nursing when she completes the program. Carman is a certified nurse assistant at TCMH and is employed on the medical surgical floor.

Davidson is attending the University of Missouri-Kansas City at Missouri State University in Springfield, MO and pursuing a doctorate of pharmacy degree. She plans to graduate in May 2020.

Shelley is pursuing an associate of science in nursing from Cox College in Springfield, MO. Shelley is a student nurse intern in the emergency department at TCMH.

Brooks is pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing through Central Methodist College in Fayette, MO. Brooks is a registered nurse and is employed full time at TCMH as the education director. Brooks also serves at the stroke and STEMI coordinator.

Turnbull is enrolled in the registered nurse bridge program through Southwest Baptist University in Salem, MO. She is employed at TCMH as a paramedic in the emergency department.

Kuhn is currently working on a bachelor of science degree in cell and molecular biology. Kuhn plans to pursue medical school following completion of his bachelor’s degree.

The Dr. Eugene Charles Honeywell Memorial Scholarship awarded one $900 scholarship to Melanie Evans of Houston. Evans was chosen by the Healthcare Foundation directors and Carol Honeywell, the widow of Dr. Eugene Honeywell.

Evans is pursuing a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Central Methodist College in Fayette, MO. Evans is a registered nurse and is employed full time at TCMH Hospice of Care.

The endowed Dr. Joe L. and Judith T. Spears Memorial Scholarship Fund awarded one $900 scholarship to Courtney Owens of Cabool.

Owens is currently pursuing a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Central Methodist College in Fayette, MO. Owens is a registered nurse and is employed full time at TCMH as the hospice and home health director.

Sawyer, Davidson, Brooks, Kuhn, Evans and Owens have all been previous recipients of scholarships through the TCMH Healthcare Foundation.

“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 $4,000 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 $107,000 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 $1,000 scholarships prior to the spring school semester in 2020.  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.”

#  #  #

For additional information, contact:

Rachel Davis, MHA

Director of Public Relations/Marketing

Texas County Memorial Hospital

Phone:  417/967-1258

Fax:  417/967-3764

rachel.davis@tcmh.org

Houston, MO—The Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation raised $16,900 in cash and non-cash gifts at the Fourteenth Annual Charitable Golf Tournament at Oakwood Golf Course in Houston on Sat., June 8.

Thirty-eight teams participated in the 18-hole two-person scramble which had 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. tee times.

Prizes were awarded to the top three teams in four categories—Championship Flight; A-Flight; B-Flight and C-Flight. With a hole-in-one on hole five at the course, golfers had the opportunity to win $10,000 sponsored by Justin Shelby, State Farm Insurance agent in Houston.

Winners of the Championship Flight were Roger Tune and Jordan Slayton who shot a 58. Finishing second were Steve Slick and Lee Smith with a 59. Dustin Hawkins and Jordan Slayton finished in third place with a score of 59, tiebreaker rules were enforced for teams shooting the same score.

A-Flight winners were Jeff Williams and Brad Williams in first place with a 65, followed by Buck Wade and Danny Backes in second with a 65, and third place winners were Charles Midget and Doyle Murr with a 66.

Golfers may compete and play in both sessions but must change partners.

Winners of the B-Flight were Jeff Butler and David Snodgrass with a 70. Finishing second were Jim Taylor and Len Jones also with a 70. Gary Butler and Shelly Johnson with a 71, came in third.

C-Flight winners were Jay Loveland and Ron Stracke with a 77. Clay Witt and Ray Madche shot a 78 for second place, and Justin Shelby and Rob Harrington finished third with an 80.

First, second and third place winners in all flights received cash prizes.

Denna Tune and Doyle Murr won the longest putt contest. The longest drive winners were Dorothy Williams and Devin Wiseman.

A “Vegas Par 3” closest to the pin contest was hosted and sponsored by Jim Perry, O.D. Tanner Carter and Steve Slick won the contest.

“The Big Advantage” on the fourth hole allowed golfers to move up to within 150 yards of the putting green and was sponsored by Wehr Ford/Wehr RV of Mountain Grove. The game could reduce golf scores and included a closest to the pin contest. Justin Brown was the “The Big Advantage” winner.

According to Jay Gentry, TCMH Healthcare Foundation director, the funds generated by the golf tournament will be used to fund scholarships for healthcare related educational fields and to provide resources for capital projects.

“We filled all of the available team slots in the morning round and were full in the afternoon, and we received numerous sponsorships from individuals and businesses,” Gentry said.

Gentry noted that corporate event underwriter Home State Health along with support from many other businesses greatly aided the Foundation in putting on a nice tournament for the participants. Gentry also thanked the numerous volunteers and the staff at Oakwood for their time and efforts on behalf of the Foundation’s tournament.

“Some of our winners also donated their winnings back to the Foundation, something that we greatly appreciate,” Gentry said. “The Foundation is a local charity and all of the money we receive for the Foundation will remain in the county.”

The TCMH Healthcare Foundation is the non-profit organization with a mission to ensure the quality of healthcare services for children, women, and men at Texas County Memorial Hospital. Funding for the Foundation comes from grateful patients and their families, community members and groups, and businesses that value healthcare in our area. A board of community leaders from across the county directs the TCMH Healthcare Foundation and the funds held by the Foundation.

“Once again, this tournament has been very successful for the Healthcare Foundation,” Gentry said.

The TCMH Healthcare Foundation plans to hold the golf tournament fundraiser again in 2020.

#  #  #

For additional information, contact:

Rachel Davis, MHA

Director of Public Relations/Marketing

Texas County Memorial Hospital

Phone:  417/967-1258

Fax:  417/967-3764

rachel.davis@tcmh.org

Houston, MO— The Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation has opened the application window for $7,500 in educational scholarships for the fall 2019 academic year.

The TCMH Healthcare Foundation Educational Scholarship Program is designed to assist students that are pursuing or planning to pursue education in a healthcare related field or students currently working in healthcare that are pursuing additional education for their current career.

The Healthcare Foundation is in its thirteenth year of awarding scholarships in the fall and the spring.  Students from towns across the county have received the scholarships.

In addition to two scholarships from the TCMH Healthcare Foundation, the Healthcare Foundation will also award the “Dr. Joe L. and Judith T. Spears Memorial Scholarship” and the “Dr. Eugene Charles Honeywell Memorial Scholarship”.  Both are endowed funds that are awarded to a deserving student annually.

Healthcare Services Group Charitable Foundation, the purchasing group that TCMH belongs to, provides matching funds for scholarships given by the TCMH Healthcare Foundation.  Those funds are available annually to the Healthcare Foundation and enable the Healthcare Foundation to give out an additional $4,000 in scholarships to area students.

“Educational scholarships are a major focus area of the Healthcare Foundation,” Jay Gentry, TCMH Healthcare Foundation director, stated.  “The board of directors of the Foundation recognizes the need to assist areas students in their educational endeavors with hopes that the student will return to or stay in the Texas County area to provide healthcare services to area residents after receiving additional education.”

The Healthcare Foundation has awarded over $95,000 in scholarship funds since the scholarship program began 13 years ago.

Endowed scholarships provide some of the educational funds, and the Healthcare Foundation hosts an annual golf tournament to raise money for the scholarship program.  The annual golf tournament is planned for early June.

Eligible students for the scholarships must be accepted to or currently enrolled in an accredited university, college or post-secondary training program.  Residents of the TCMH service area—all of Texas County and Mountain Grove—and students that are graduates of Texas County and Mountain Grove schools are eligible to apply.  Applicants already pursuing a career in a healthcare organization, or applicants planning to pursue a career in a health field with direct patient care are eligible to apply for the scholarships.

The scholarship application asks for information about the student and requires a short essay about the student’s career and educational goals.  Applicants are also asked to list community involvement activities on their application, and they may be asked to meet with Foundation board members for a short personal interview.

The deadline for the fall scholarship applications is July 1, 2019.  Awards for the scholarship will be announced no later than September 1, 2019.

For more information about the scholarship program or to receive an application, contact Gentry by phone at (417) 967-1377 or 1-866-967-3311, ext. 4202 or by e-mail at jgentry@tcmh.org.  The scholarship application and complete details are also available at www.tcmhfoundation.org.

#  #  #

For additional information, contact:

Rachel Davis, MHA

Director of Public Relations/Marketing

Texas County Memorial Hospital

Phone:  417/967-1258

Fax:  417/967-3764

rachel.davis@tcmh.org

Houston—The Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation has awarded three $1,000 scholarships to area students to assist with their educational costs for the 2019 spring school semester.

Receiving scholarships from the TCMH Healthcare Foundation were Kimberly Counts of Eminence, Hannah Creek of Raymondville and Jordon Pursifull of Licking. The recipients were chosen among several applicants by members of the Healthcare Foundation board of directors.

Counts is a student at Missouri State University in West Plains, and she is pursuing an associates of science degree in nursing. Counts is also currently a licensed practical nurse on the medical surgical floor at TCMH.

Creek is a student at Rolla Technical Center, and she is pursuing a radiologic technology degree. Creek is also currently a radiologic technologist student at TCMH.

Pursifull is a student at Bolivar Technical College, and she is pursuing an associates of science degree in nursing.

“Educational scholarships are a focus area of the TCMH Healthcare Foundation,” Jay Gentry, Healthcare Foundation director, said.  He added, “Our board of directors believe in the importance of education for area students that are pursuing training in healthcare-related fields.”

With the recent scholarship awards, the Foundation has awarded $95,000 in scholarships to area students since the program began in 2007.  The Healthcare Foundation awards educational scholarships for students pursuing additional higher education each spring and fall.  This fall, the Healthcare Foundation will award endowed scholarship funds in addition to the Healthcare Foundation scholarships.  The Foundation will accept applications for the fall scholarships beginning in April.

“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.”

Complete scholarship information and the scholarship application is available online at www.tcmhfoundation.org.

#  #  #

For additional information, contact:

Rachel Davis, MHA

Director of Public Relations/Marketing

Texas County Memorial Hospital

Phone:  417/967-1258

Fax:  417/967-3764

rachel.davis@tcmh.org

Houston, MO— The Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation begins its tenth year of “Celebrate Our Memories” in partnership with TCMH Hospice of Care this week.

Beginning Mon., Nov. 26th a nine-foot Christmas tree in the front lobby of the hospital will hold Christmas ornaments that can be “gifted” and inscribed with the name or a message in honor or in memory of someone special in their life.

The Foundation will divide all funds generated by the program with another TCMH entity—Hospice of Care—so the Christmas program actually benefits two local charitable organizations.

As part of Celebrate Our Memories, those who have “gifted” an ornament will be invited to keep the ornament as a personal keepsake of their memory at the end of the holiday season, after the tree is removed from the hospital’s front lobby.

The ornaments are hung on the tree as they are gifted.   Sponsorship of one ornament is $25, and anyone can gift as many ornaments as they wish.  Ornaments can be gifted by groups or by individuals.  Gifted ornaments can honor a group, an individual such as a teacher, a parent, a friend, or other loved one.

Anyone who gifts an ornament can provide a name or message that will be inscribed on the ornament tag for them.

“It’s the goal of the Foundation and Hospice of Care to have at least 100 ornaments gifted in recognition of someone this holiday season,” Gentry said.

Hospice of Care uses the funding they receive from the program to provide hospice care, supplies and equipment for patients and their families in Texas county and surrounding areas.  The Healthcare Foundation uses their portion of the funds in meeting a mission of ensuring the quality of healthcare services for children, women and men at the county hospital.

“I am already soliciting and receiving sponsorships for the Celebrate Our Memories program,” Gentry said.  “We hope to have several ornaments on the tree as soon as it goes up.”

Those who wish to gift an ornament should contact Courtney Owens, director of TCMH Hospice of Care at (417) 967-1279 for a form to fill out.  Forms are also available at the TCMH Auxiliary Gift Shop located at the front entrance to the hospital and on the Healthcare Foundation’s website, www.tcmhfoundation.org.

A letter of recognition will be sent to those who gift an ornament, and ornaments will be available for pick up at the hospital after the holiday season.

All proceeds from the program will remain in the area and directly impact the local community.  Any donation made to the TCMH Healthcare Foundation or to Hospice of Care is tax deductible.

#  #  #

For additional information, contact:

 Kory Loden

Public Relations/Marketing Assistant

Texas County Memorial Hospital

Phone:  417/967-1251

kory.loden@tcmh.org

Houston, MO— The Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation plans to award $2,000 in educational scholarships for the spring 2019 academic year.  The organization is currently accepting applications for the scholarships.

The TCMH Healthcare Foundation Educational Scholarship Program is designed to assist area students that are pursuing or planning to pursue education in a healthcare related field or students currently working in healthcare that are pursuing additional education for their current career.

The Healthcare Foundation is in its eleventh year of awarding scholarships in the fall and the spring, and the Foundation’s board of directors has awarded scholarships totaling $92,000 in that time.  Students from towns across the TCMH service area have received the scholarships.

“Educational scholarships are a major focus area of the Healthcare Foundation,” Jay Gentry, TCMH Healthcare Foundation director, stated.  “The board of directors of the Foundation recognizes the need to assist areas students in their educational endeavors with hopes that the student will return to or stay in the Texas County area to provide healthcare services to area residents after receiving additional education.”

Endowed scholarships provide some of the educational funds, and the Healthcare Foundation hosts an annual golf tournament to raise money for the scholarship program, and plans are underway to host a tournament again in 2019.

Eligible students for the scholarships must be accepted to or currently enrolled in an accredited university, college or post-secondary training program.  Residents of the TCMH service area—all of Texas County and Mountain Grove—and students that are graduates of Texas County and Mountain Grove schools are eligible to apply.  Applicants already pursuing a career in a healthcare organization, or applicants planning to pursue a career in a health field with direct patient care are eligible to apply for the scholarships.

The scholarship application asks for information about the student and requires a short essay about the student’s career and educational goals.  Applicants are also asked to list community involvement activities on their application, and they may be asked to meet with Foundation board members for a short personal interview.

The deadline for the spring scholarship application is January 15, 2019.  Awards for the scholarship will be announced by February 1, 2019.

For more information about the scholarship program or to receive an application, contact Gentry by phone at (417) 967-1377 or 1-866-967-3311, ext. 377 or by e-mail at jgentry@tcmh.org.  The scholarship application and complete details are also available at www.tcmhfoundation.org.

#  #  #

For additional information, contact:

 Kory Loden

Public Relations/Marketing Assistant

Texas County Memorial Hospital

Phone:  417/967-1251

kory.loden@tcmh.org

Houston, MO—The 12^th Annual Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation Chili Cook Off in Houston on November 3 was a huge success, raising a total of $53,869 for TCMH Hospice of Care. The event included live music by the band Chrome 45, a chili dog eating contest, live and silent auction items and all the chili you could ever want.

All of the funds raised at the Foundation event benefit TCMH Hospice of Care which provides end of life and grief support care for patients and their families in Texas County and the surrounding area.

Sixteen teams of five people participated in the event. Each team chose a theme and team name and began their fundraising efforts earlier in the year, each competing for one of the six coveted prizes: Team Fund-Raising Award.

The other five prizes teams competed for included Judge’s Choice, Spiciest Chili, People’s Choice, Best-Decorated Booth, and Best TCMH Chili.

Winners in each category are included below:

 

Judge’s Choice

1^st Flavors of Fall—TCMH Medical Complex sponsored by Dr. Cory Offutt

2^nd Happy Feet Chili Sponsored by the Raymondville United Methodist Church

3^rd Houston R-1 Schools

Spiciest Chili

1^st sMASHin Chili—TCMH med surg sponsored by Dr. Jason Loden

People’s Choice

1^st Happy Feet Chili

2^nd Crase-y Good Chili—TCMH Family Clinic sponsored by Dr. Doug Crase

3^rd Houston R-1 Schools

Best-Decorated Booth

1^st The A Team sponsored by Air Evac Lifeteam

2^nd sMASHin Chili—TCMH med surg

3^rd Crase-y Good Chili—TCMH Family Clinic

Best TCMH Chili

1^st En Caso De Emergencia—TCMH EMS sponsored by Dr. Selina Jeanise

Team Fund-Raising

1^st Team Jayson Jurassic Chili sponsored by People’ Community Bank who raised $5,994

2^nd Happy Feet Chili who raised $3,140

3^rd #elfies sponsored by Walmart Supercenter—Houston who raised $2,997

 

Ticket sales, the live and silent auctions, and team fundraising efforts are some of the main methods used to reach the fundraising goal.

“This event would not be possible without the incredible effort of the chili cook off teams,” Jay Gentry, TCMH Healthcare Foundation director, said.

Team fundraising efforts alone raised $22,902 prior to and during the event.

Team Jayson Jurassic Chili, a Cabool-based team in memory of Jayson Gentry, raised $5,994 and received the first place prize in the Team Fund-Raising category.

Team Jayson has been participating in the Chili Cook Off for four years now with different themes each year, and received special mentioned for their fundraising efforts over those years. In total, the team has raised over $16,000 for TCMH Hospice of Care.

Even though the top three teams are the only teams to receive awards in this category, a fourth team, Crase-y Good Chili the TCMH Family Clinic team, received a special mention for their fundraising efforts. The team raised $2,882 in only two weeks.

The three chili judges representing sponsors and supporters of the event were Sandy Howard from Progressive Ozark Bank in Houston, Dr. Matt Brown from Mercy Clinic in Houston, and Steve Pierce from Online Metal Supply in Houston.

Community members in attendance voted on “People’s Choice,” and TCMH employees voted on “Best TCMH Chili” with a ballot they received when entering the event.

Gentry noted that teams helped sell raffle tickets for a Ruger American 6.5 Creedmore and a Kawasaki-brand utility vehicle that were raffled at the end of the event.

Jim White of Elk Creek won the UTV, and Junior Greer of Edgar Springs won the gun.

Donations came in the form of sponsorships by area businesses and local community members for chili teams, corporate and entertainment sponsorships, cash donations, and donations of items for the auctions.

The Healthcare Foundation has a designated “Hospice Fund” where the cook off funds and other donations to TCMH Hospice of Care are held.

For questions about the Chili Cook Off, please contact the TCMH Healthcare Foundation at (417) 967-1377.

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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

The Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation held the Thirteenth Annual Charitable Golf Tournament at Oakwood Golf Course in Houston on Sat., June 9.  Thirty-eight teams participated in the 18-hole two-person scramble, and $15,451 was raised in cash and non-cash gifts for the Foundation by the tournament.
The tournament had tee times at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. with prizes awarded to the top three teams in four categories—Championship Flight; A-Flight; B-Flight and C-Flight.  With a hole-in-one on hole five at the course, golfers had the opportunity to win $25,000 sponsored by Justin Shelby, Houston State Farm Insurance agent.

Winners of the Championship Flight were Roger Tune and Jordan Slayton who shot a 56. Finishing second were Jeff Williams and Jay Williams with a 57. Scott Kelly and Darren Petrus finished in third place with a score of 58.

A-Flight winners were Roger Tune and Randy Reese in first place with a 62, followed by Lance King and Ryan Potts in second with a 62, and third place winners, Len Jones and Eric Judd also with a 62 (tiebreaker rules were enforced for teams shooting the same score). Golfers may compete and play in both sessions but must change partners.

Winners of the B-Flight were Kasey Lucas and Debbie Hines with a 68.  Finishing second were Scott Crump and Chuck Hicks with a 69.  Ted Noirfalise and Jody Jarrett with a 70, came in third.

C-Flight winners were Isaac Elliott and Titus Elliott with a 74.  Bo Jackson and Danny Backes also shot a 74 for second place, and David Snodgras and Chris Keifer finished third with a 74.

First and second place winners in all flights received cash prizes and trophies.  Third place winners in all flights received a cash prize.

Debbie Hines and Chris Keifer won the longest putt contest.  The longest drive winners were Jody Jarrett and Jordan Noirfalise.

A “Vegas Par 3” closest to the pin contest was hosted and sponsored by Jim Perry, O.D. Winning the contest was Roger Tune and Dustin Hawkins.

“The Big Advantage” on the fourth hole allowed golfers to move up to within 150 yards of the putting green and was sponsored by Wehr Ford/Wehr RV of Mountain Grove.  The game could reduce golf scores and included a closest to the pin contest.  Gary York was the winner of “The Big Advantage”.

According to Jay Gentry, president of the TCMH Healthcare Foundation, the funds generated by the golf tournament will be used to fund scholarships for healthcare related educational fields and to provide resources for capital projects.

“We filled all of the available team slots in the morning round and were full in the afternoon, and we received numerous sponsorships from individuals and businesses,” Gentry said.

Gentry noted that corporate event underwriter Home State Health along with support from many other businesses greatly aided the Foundation in putting on a nice tournament for the participants.  Gentry also thanked the numerous volunteers and the staff at Oakwood for their time and efforts on behalf of the Foundation’s tournament.

“Some of our winners also donated their winnings back to the Foundation, something that we greatly appreciate,” Gentry said.  “The Foundation is a local charity and all of the money we receive for the Foundation will remain in the county.”

The TCMH Healthcare Foundation is the non-profit organization with a mission to ensure the quality of healthcare services for children, women, and men at Texas County Memorial Hospital.  Funding for the Foundation comes from grateful patients and their families, community members and groups, and businesses that value healthcare in our area.  A board of community leaders from across the county directs the TCMH Healthcare Foundation and the funds held by the Foundation.

“Once again, this tournament has been very successful for the Healthcare Foundation,” Gentry said. The TCMH Healthcare Foundation plans to hold the golf tournament fundraiser again in 2019.

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.”

#  #  #

For additional information, contact:

Kory Loden

Public Relations/Marketing Assistant

Texas County Memorial Hospital

Phone:  417/967-1251

kory.loden@tcmh.org

Houston, MO— Mattison “Matti” Reed-Davidson has known for a while that she wanted to be in healthcare.  It was when she lost her twin brother that she knew that she was being called to a field where she could help people.

Everything seemed to point Reed-Davidson to the pharmacy field; she has a cousin in Texas who is a pharmacist, and she has worked in pharmacies on and off since she was 16. For Reed-Davidson, pharmacy seemed like the obvious career path.

In 2013, when Reed-Davidson first started her undergraduate schooling, and again in 2017, Reed-Davidson received $1000 TCMH Healthcare Foundation Scholarships to help with academic expenses.

“It’s been great to have those funds,” Reed-Davidson said. “It’s helped a lot with tuition, loan payments, and books.”

The TCMH Healthcare Foundation awards scholarships every fall and spring to help students with academic expenses. Since 2007, the Foundation has awarded $85,000 worth of scholarships to students seeking higher education.

“Our board of directors believes in the importance of education for area students that are pursuing training in healthcare-related fields,” Jay Gentry, Healthcare Foundation director, said.  He added, “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.”

Reed-Davidson attended Missouri Southern State University to work on her pre-requisites for pharmacy school in the fall of 2013. In 2016, Reed-Davidson started pharmacy school at the University of Missouri—Kansas City (UMKC), Springfield campus.

Pharmacy school is a four-year program that involves three years of classes, and the final year includes rotations for students to gain practical, on the job experience before graduating. In between the second and third year of the UMKC pharmacy program, students complete their first four weeks of practical experience.

Reed-Davidson just completed her second year of pharmacy school and plans to graduate with a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree in 2020. Reed-Davidson has two years left of the pharmacy program—one year of classes and one year of rotations.

She explained that the students get to rank where they would like to go for their rotation. As part of her four weeks of on the job experience, Reed-Davidson spent two weeks this summer working in the TCMH pharmacy.

“It’s been really cool to come back and be home again for a couple weeks,” Reed-Davidson said. She added, “This is an experience that I will never forget.”

During her two weeks at TCMH, Reed-Davidson had the opportunity to learn about what other departments do within the hospital. She explained she really enjoyed the experience, and said this is an experience that she could not have had anywhere else.

“This experience has been more than I could have ever asked for or expected,” Reed-Davidson said. She explained that her previous rotation was in retail pharmacy, and it was very different than her experience here.

“I have gotten to interact with patients a lot more here than I did in a retail setting, which I really enjoy,” Reed-Davidson said. She added that patients usually know exactly what they need in a retail setting, so the interaction is limited. Whereas, in a hospital setting, patients tend to have more questions, and she gets to interact on a more personal level with them.

Reed-Davidson got married in July of 2016 to her husband whom she met at MSSU. In her free-time, Reed-Davidson and her husband like to hike, camp and watch movies.

When she graduates, she hopes to work in a hospital somewhere in Missouri.

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For additional information, contact:

Rachel Davis, MHA

Director of Public Relations/Marketing

Texas County Memorial Hospital

Phone:  417/967-1258

Fax:  417/967-3764

rachel.davis@tcmh.org