TCMH Healthcare Foundation Awards Scholarships to Area Students

Houston, MOThe 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.”

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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

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