Saint Francis Healthcare Scholarship Program

The Saint Francis Healthcare Scholarship Program is funded annually by Saint Francis Foundation and Saint Francis Auxiliary for the fall school semester. Students pursuing a career in healthcare or professionals seeking to advance their healthcare career can choose from 22 scholarships opportunities, worth up to $2,000 each. Applicants may receive one scholarship per year for a maximum of two years.

The Steven C. Bjelich Executive Scholarship is available to graduate students pursuing a Master’s degree in healthcare administration and awards $5,000 to one recipient every two years.


Sorry, the application deadline for the 2024 Healthcare Scholarship Program has passed.


Eligible Applicants

  • Students must have successfully completed one year as a student in an accredited healthcare program and be currently enrolled.
  • Students must have a minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Students’ mailing address as indicated on the application must be within the Saint Francis Service Area.
  • Students must submit a fully completed online application and all required documentation by the established deadline. Applications received after this deadline will be considered ineligible.

Required Documentation

The following should accompany the online application:

  • Most recent official college transcript.
  • Letter of verification of current enrollment in a professional curriculum as a student of an accredited healthcare program. Must include accrediting agency in letter.
  • Two professional letters of recommendation (one academic, one personal).
  • Response to essay question found on application.

Selection Process

  • A scholarship selection committee will review all online applications and score the essay (one third of total score).
  • All applicants will be notified by August 9, 2024 by email if they are selected to receive a scholarship.
  • Scholarship recipient checks will be made payable to the college as indicated on the application.

All applicants will be considered regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, religion, ancestry, age, handicap or veteran status. Scholarship recipients are under no obligation to apply for or accept a position at Saint Francis Healthcare System.

Healthcare Scholarship Recipients

2024 Recipients

    • Klara Beel – Lucy Ellen Towse Memorial Scholarship
    • Lara “Bailey” Beussink – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
    • Wendi Beussink – Carrie Suedekum Memorial Scholarship
    • Abby Brey – Earl Jr. and Lori Wills Memorial Scholarship
    • Claire Bruenderman – Saint Francis Auxiliary Healthcare Scholarship
    • Caitlin Dilley – Saint Francis Auxiliary Physician Honor Scholarship
    • Mary Dirnberger – Bernadean Campbell Memorial Scholarship
    • Alexis Dockstader – Christen Joyel Aufdenberg Memorial Scholarship
    • Taylor Fehr – Susan Kluesner Hinkebein Memorial Scholarship
    • Evan Howell – Ken Hayden Memorial Nursing Scholarship
    • Mollie Jennings – Sisters of Saint Francis Nursing Scholarship
    • Madison Kribs – Mamie Hall Memorial Scholarship
    • Emily Landewee – Clara D. Newnam Memorial Scholarship
    • Addison Middleton – Mark F. Scully Nursing Scholarship
    • Julia Mirgaux – Huttegger-Scherer Memorial Scholarship
    • Lilly Nevill – Lee George and Katherine Jane Cochran Memorial Scholarship
    • Kayla Overbeck – Bess Estes Healthcare Scholarship
    • Madison Ray – Joseph and Harriette Hunter McCrate Scholarship
    • Payton Reinbott – Evalyn and S. David Nunley Scholarship
    • Ashley Robinson – Edythe M. Davis Scholarship
    • Emma Shields – Saint Francis Auxiliary 125th Anniversary Scholarship
    • Maci Wendel – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship

    2023 Recipients

    • Klara Beel – Lee George and Katherine Jane Cochran Memorial Scholarship
    • Kailey Bell – Sisters of Saint Francis Nursing Scholarship
    • Shannon Beussink – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
    • Abby Brey – Edythe M. Davis Scholarship
    • Mary Dirnberger – Ken Hayden Memorial Nursing Scholarship
    • Keely Felts – Lucy Ellen Towse Memorial Scholarship
    • Brendan Gross – Susan Kluesner Hinkebein Memorial Scholarship
    • Emily Heberlie – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
    • Emily Landewee – Joseph and Harriette Hunter McCrate Scholarship
    • Tammy Le – Bess Estes Healthcare Scholarship
    • Logan Lemons – Christen Joyel Aufdenberg Memorial Scholarship
    • Collin McMahon – Bernadean Campbell Memorial Scholarship
    • Addison Middleton – Huttegger-Scherer Memorial Scholarship
    • Julia Mirgaux – Mark F. Scully Nursing Scholarship
    • Sam Russo – Earl Jr. and Lori Wills Memorial Scholarship
    • Jade Samanta – Saint Francis Auxiliary Physician Honor Scholarship
    • Emma Shields – Saint Francis Auxiliary Healthcare Scholarship
    • Emily Smith – Carrie Suedekum Memorial Scholarship
    • Tra Statler – Saint Francis Auxiliary 125th Anniversary Scholarship
    • Grace Walter – Mamie Hall Memorial Scholarship
    • Ashley Wheeler – Saint Francis Auxiliary Healthcare Scholarship
    • Anita Williams – Clara D. Newnam Memorial Scholarship
    • Matthew Woodfin – Evalyn and S. David Nunley Scholarship

    2022 Recipients

    • Kyla Beel – Christen-Joyel Aufdenberg Memorial Scholarship
    • Kailey Bell – Lucy Ellen Towse Memorial Scholarship
    • Shannon Beussink – Saint Francis Auxiliary Physician Honor Scholarship
    • Claire Bruenderman – Saint Francis 125th Anniversary Scholarship
    • Austin Bucher – Carrie Suedekum Memorial Scholarship
    • Katelyn Fehr – Evalyn and S David Nunley Scholarship
    • McKenzie Goodson – Saint Francis Auxiliary Healthcare Scholarship
    • Brendan Gross – Lee George and Katherine Jane Cochran Memorial Scholarship
    • Melanie Hayden – Bernadean Campbell Memorial Scholarship
    • Abigail Heisserer – Ken Hayden Memorial Scholarship
    • Britni Helton – Mamie Hall Memorial Scholarship
    • Logan Lemons – Susan E Kluesner-Hinkebein Memorial Scholarship
    • Tatum McCollough – Mark F. Scully Nursing Scholarship
    • Sean Merk – Raymond A and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
    • Stacy Meyer – Steven C Bjelich Scholarship
    • Alyssa Nolen – Clara D. Newnam Memorial Scholarship
    • Madelynne Ohmes – Edythe M Davis Scholarship
    • Chloe Pipkin – Bess Estes Healthcare Scholarship
    • Karolina Pogorzelski – Raymond A and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
    • Rebecca Reed – Earl Jr and Lori Wills Memorial Scholarship
    • Sydney Stark – Joseph and Hariette Hunter McCrate Scholarship
    • Allison Vaughn – Hutteger-Scherer Memorial Scholarship
    • Cortney Watson – Sisters of Saint Francis Nursing Scholarship

    2021 Recipients

    • Madeleine Baker, MO – Christen Joyel Aufdenberg Memorial Scholarship
    • James (Jamie) Barnes, MO – Saint Francis Auxiliary Scholarship
    • Andrew Behrmann, MO – Carrie Suedekum Memorial Scholarship
    • Kailey Bell, MO – Ken Hayden Memorial Nursing Scholarship
    • Elise Bruenderman, MO – Susan Kluesner-Hinkebein Memorial Scholarship
    • Hanna Courtois, MO – Raymond A and Lillian K Ritter Scholarship – 2 given
    • Katelyn Fehr, MO – Edythe M Davis Scholarship
    • Josh Greaser, MO – Saint Francis Auxiliary Physician Honor Scholarship
    • Sydney Griffin, MO – Joseph and Harriette Hunter McCrate Scholarship
    • Madelyn Johnson, MO – Clara D Newnam Memorial Scholarship
    • Sydney Kern, MO – Lucy Ellen Towse Memorial Scholarship
    • Nolan Knupp, IL – Mamie Hall Memorial Scholarship
    • Tatum McCollough, MO – Mark F Scully Nursing Scholarship
    • Stacy Meyer, MO – Evelyn and S David Nunley Scholarship
    • Chloe Pipkin, MO – Raymond A and Lillian K Ritter Scholarship – 2 given
    • Karolina Pogorzelski, MO – Bess Estes Healthcare Scholarship
    • Kaylee Scherer, MO – Sisters of Saint Francis Nursing Scholarship
    • Keandra Speakman, MO – Bernadean Campbell Memorial Scholarship
    • Madison Strickland, MO – Hutteger-Scherer Memorial Scholarship
    • Kaya Thatch, MO – Earl Jr and Lori Wills Memorial Scholarship
    • Wil Walker, MO – Saint Francis Auxiliary 125th Anniversary Scholarship
    • Jack Warren, MO – Lee George and Katherine Jane Cochran Memorial Scholarship

    2020 Recipients

    • Brooke Adams, MO – Huttegger-Scherer Memorial Scholarship
    • Kaleb Arends, MO – Lee George and Katherine Jane Cochran Memorial Scholarship
    • James Barnes, MO – Joseph and Harriette Hunter McCrate Scholarship
    • Laura Bauman, MO – Evalyn and S. David Nunley Scholarship
    • Elise Bruenderman, MO – Saint Francis Auxiliary 125th Anniversary Scholarship
    • Malary Burger, MO – Christen Joyel Aufdenberg Memorial Scholarship
    • Lauren Carron, MO – Mark F. Scully Nursing Scholarship
    • Miranda Craft, MO – Edyth M. Davis Scholarship
    • Brittney Dirnberger, MO – Ken Hayden Memorial Nursing Scholarship
    • Madison Dush, MO – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
    • Josh Greaser, MO – Bess Estes Healthcare Scholarship
    • Madelyn Johnson, MO – Clara D. Newnam Memorial Scholarship
    • Grace Pehle, MO – Saint Francis Auxiliary Physician Honor Scholarship
    • Kaylee Scherer, MO – Sisters of Saint Francis Nursing Scholarship
    • Emma Sherrow, MO – Bernadean Campbell Memorial Scholarship
    • Hanna Stam, MO – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
    • Megan Steward, IL – Saint Francis Auxiliary Healthcare Scholarship
    • Taylor Tripp, MO – Earl Jr. and Lori Wills Memorial Scholarship
    • Wil Walker, MO – Carrie Suedekum Memorial Scholarship
    • Ashley Wheeler, MO – Lucy Ellen Towse Memorial Scholarship
    • Justin White, IL – Mamie Hall Memorial Scholarship
    • Brooke Whitledge, MO – Susan Kluesner-Hinkebein Memorial Scholarship

    2019 Recipients

    • Kaleb Arends, MO – Carrie Suedekum Memorial Scholarship
    • Bethany Beals, MO – Saint Francis Auxiliary 125th Anniversary Scholarship
    • Miranda Craft, MO – Lee George and Katherine Jane Cochran Memorial Scholarship
    • Lana Davis, MO – Mamie Hall Memorial Scholarship
    • Brittney Dirnberger, MO – Christen Joyel Aufdenberg Memorial Scholarship
    • Riley Duncan, MO – Joseph and Harriette Hunter McCrate Scholarship
    • Alyson Fluchel, MO – Sisters of Saint Francis Nursing Scholarship
    • Perry Hazelwood IV, MO – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
    • Emily Heberlie, MO – Mark F. Scully Nursing Scholarship
    • Noah Hester, MO – Bess Estes Healthcare Scholarship
    • Brian Lesch, MO – Clara D. Newnam Memorial Scholarship
    • Matthew Lynn, MO – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
    • Maci McCuan, MO – Evalyn and S. David Nunley Scholarship
    • Graycen Pehle, MO – Edythe M. Davis Scholarship
    • Haley Sample, MO – Ken Hayden Memorial Nursing Scholarship
    • Mikayla Stanfield, IL – Lucy Ellen Towse Memorial Scholarship
    • Katrina Stevenson, MO – Huttegger-Scherer Memorial Scholarship
    • Megan Stewart, IL – Saint Francis Auxiliary Physician Honor Scholarship
    • Ashley Viox, MO – Bernadean Campbell Memorial Scholarship
    • Zachary Vogel, MO – Susan Kluesner-Hinkebein Memorial Scholarship
    • Jack Warren, MO – Saint Francis Auxiliary Healthcare Scholarship
    • Brooke Whitledge, MO – Earl Jr. and Lori Wills Memorial Scholarship

    2018 Recipients

    • Jaden Barnes, MO – Earl Jr. and Lori Wills Memorial Scholarship
    • Kendall Barnes, MO – Joseph and Harriette Hunter McCrate Scholarship
    • Adeline Beussink, MO – Mamie Hall Memorial Scholarship
    • Rachel Birkman, MO – Clara D. Newnam Memorial Scholarship
    • Paige Brown, MO – Bernadean Campbell Memorial Scholarship
    • Breiona Catching, MO – Saint Francis Auxiliary 125th Anniversary Scholarship
    • Melinna Craft, MO – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
    • Emma Derickson, MO – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
    • Kaleigh Eastep, MO – Saint Francis Foundation Scholarship
    • Alyson Fluchel, MO – Saint Francis Auxiliary Healthcare Scholarship
    • Allison Hotop, MO – Evalyn and S. David Nunley Scholarship
    • Lauren Kranawetter, MO – Huttegger-Scherer Memorial Scholarship
    • Caleb Likens, Cape Girardeau – Edythe M. Davis Scholarship
    • Alan Miller, MO – Carrie Suedekum Memorial Scholarship
    • Kirsti Pohlman, MO – Ken Hayden Memorial Scholarship
    • Macy Shively, MO – Saint Francis Auxiliary Physician Honor Scholarship
    • Eileen Sievers, MO – Lucy Ellen Towse Memorial Scholarship
    • Kayla Uhrhan, MO – Sisters of Saint Francis Nursing Scholarship
    • Zachary Vogel, MO – Lee George and Katherine Jane Cochran Memorial Scholarship
    • Tatum Wallace, MO – Christen Joyel Aufdenberg Memorial Scholarship
    • Emily Weber, MO – Susan Kluesner-Hinkebein Memorial Scholarship
    • Jacob Wren, MO – Bess Estes Healthcare Scholarship
    • Angela Wright, MO – Mark F. Scully Scholarship
    • Kandra Voshage, MO – Steven C. Bjelich Executive Scholarship

    2017 Recipients

    • Jaden Barnes – Joseph and Harriette Hunter McCrate Scholarship
    • Paige Brown – Huttegger-Scherer Memorial Scholarship
    • Leah Browne – Lucy Ellen Towse Memorial Scholarship
    • Savanah Buch – Mamie Hall Memorial Scholarship
    • Sierra Buch – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
    • Danielle Childers – Lee George and Katherine Jane Cochran Memorial Scholarship
    • Melinna Craft – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
    • Rachel Diamond – Edythe M. Davis Scholarship
    • Elizabeth Grace – Saint Francis Foundation Scholarship
    • Jenna Hawkins – Evalyn and S. David Nunley Scholarship
    • Edgar Horn – Susan Kluesner-Hinkebein Memorial Scholarship
    • Stacy Latham – Christen Joyel Aufdenberg Memorial Scholarship
    • Caleb Likens – Carrie Suedekum Memorial Scholarship
    • Cody Likens – Bess Estes Healthcare Scholarship
    • Sara Long – Clara D. Newnam Memorial Scholarship
    • Shea Salyer – Ken Hayden Memorial Nursing Scholarship
    • Erica Scholl – Bernadean Campbell Memorial Scholarship
    • Shea Scholl – Saint Francis Auxiliary 125th Anniversary Scholarship
    • Tripti Shakya – Mark F. Scully Nursing Scholarship
    • Macy Shively – Saint Francis Auxiliary Physician Honor Scholarship
    • Dana Thiele – Saint Francis Auxiliary Healthcare Scholarship
    • Erica Welter – Earl Jr. and Lori Wills Memorial Scholarship
    • Dakota Werner – Sisters of Saint Francis Nursing Scholarship

    2016 Recipients

    2016 Saint Francis Healthcare Scholarship recipients
    Back row (L to R): Abigail Breite, Ethan Seyer, Cody Likens, Joshua Friess, Dana Thiele Middle row (L to R): Angela Dickinson, Rachel Hearnes, Shea Scholl, Alexis Engelhart, Emma Steffens, Brianna Lueders Front row (L to R): Katy Weston, Morgan Hileman, Jenna Hawkins, Olivia Renner, Morgan Schumer, Ryan O’Rear, Sara Pilsner Not pictured: Danielle Childers, Abigail Kenney, Anna Miller, Stephanie Nanney, Adam Young
    • Abigail Breite, Cape Girardeau, MO – Bernadean Campbell Memorial Scholarship
    • Danielle Childers, Cape Girardeau, MO – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
    • Angela Dickinson, Zalma, MO – Edythe M. Davis Scholarship
    • Alexis Engelhart, Jackson, MO – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
    • Joshua Friess, Jackson, MO – Bess Estes Healthcare Scholarship
    • Jenna Hawkins, Portageville, MO – Evalyn and S. David Nunley Scholarship
    • Rachel Hearnes, Charleston, MO – Joseph and Harriette Hunter McCrate Scholarship
    • Morgan Hileman, Cape Girardeau, MO – Christen Joyel Aufdenberg Memorial Scholarship
    • Abigail Kenney, Cape Girardeau, MO – Susan Kluesner-Hinkebein Memorial Scholarship
    • Cody Likens, Cape Girardeau, MO – Carrie Suedekum Memorial Scholarship
    • Brianna Lueders, Cape Girardeau, MO – Mark F. Scully Nursing Scholarship
    • Anna Miller, Jackson, MO – Huttegger-Scherer Memorial Scholarship
    • Stephanie Nanney, Whitewater, MO – Sisters of Saint Francis Nursing Scholarship
    • Ryan O’Rear, Jackson, MO – Saint Francis Auxiliary Physician Honor Scholarship
    • Sara Pilsner, Cape Girardeau, MO – Ken Hayden Memorial Nursing Scholarship
    • Olivia Renner, Jackson, MO – Lee George and Katherine Jane Cochran Memorial Scholarship
    • Shea Scholl, Jackson, MO – Saint Francis Foundation Scholarship
    • Morgan Schumer, Cape Girardeau, MO – Earl Jr. and Lori Wills Memorial Scholarship
    • Ethan Seyer, Oak Ridge, MO – Mamie Hall Memorial Scholarship
    • Emma Steffens, Jackson, MO – Saint Francis Auxiliary Healthcare Scholarship
    • Dana Thiele, Leopold, MO – Saint Francis Auxiliary 125th Anniversary Scholarship
    • Katy Weston, Glen Allen, MO – Lucy Ellen Towse Memorial Scholarship
    • Adam Young, New Madrid, MO – Clara D. Newnam Memorial Scholarship

    2015 Recipients

    2015 Saint Francis Healthcare Scholarship recipients
    • Austin Cook – Joseph and Harriette Hunter McCrate Scholarship
    • Alexis Engelhart – Lee George and Katherine Jane Cochran Memorial Scholarship
    • Emily Greenley – Saint Francis Foundation Scholarship
    • Rachel Hearnes – Clara D. Newnam Memorial Scholarship
    • Megan Hecht – Lucy Ellen Towse Memorial Scholarship
    • Kody Hindman – Carrie Suedekum Memorial Scholarship
    • Madison Huckstep – Susan Kluesner-Hinkebein Memorial Scholarship
    • Hannah Hunter – Ken Hayden Memorial Nursing Scholarship
    • Amanda Lappe – Earl Jr. and Lori Wills Memorial Scholarship
    • Elizabeth Leimer – Bess Estes Healthcare Scholarship
    • Kristy Lohman – Mamie Hall Memorial Scholarship
    • Sarah McCrate – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
    • Kaitlin McGrath – Saint Francis Auxiliary Healthcare Scholarship
    • Jordan Myer – Evalyn and S. David Nunley Scholarship
    • Caleb Newcomer – Huttegger-Scherer Memorial Scholarship
    • Taylor Powers – Bernadean Campbell Memorial Scholarship
    • Olivia Renner – Saint Francis Auxiliary Physician Honor Scholarship
    • Ethan Seyer – Mark F. Scully Nursing Scholarship
    • Tripti Shakya – Christen Joyel Aufdenberg Memorial Scholarship
    • Emma Steffens – Saint Francis Auxiliary 125th Anniversary Scholarship
    • Cody Van de Ven – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
    • Emily Welker – Sisters of Saint Francis Nursing Scholarship
    • Melissa Wyatt – Edythe M. Davis Scholarship