Second row, standing, left to right: Teyarah Williams; Kaitlyn Jones; Payton Reinbott; Maci Wendel; Harley Glueck and Emily Cates
Back row, standing, left to right: Madison Kribs; Jenna Essner; Jada Long; Eli Glueck; Tyson Underwood; Charles McIntyre and Kyle Balsman
The Saint Francis Foundation and Saint Francis Auxiliary honored 23 students pursuing healthcare careers during a scholarship recognition luncheon on Friday, July 25.
23 scholarships were awarded with each student receiving $2,000 in scholarship funds toward a degree in a healthcare-related profession. Those recipients and their scholarships include:
- Frances Ansberry of Cape Girardeau – Susan Kluesner Hinkebein Memorial Scholarship
- Kyle Balsman of Jackson – Carrie Suedekum Memorial Scholarship
- Lara “Bailey” Beussink of Cape Girardeau – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
- Emily Cates of Sedgewickville – Saint Francis Auxiliary Physician Honor Scholarship
- Alexis Dockstader of Cape Girardeau – Earl Jr. and Lori Wills Memorial Scholarship
- Jenna Essner of Scott City – Christen Joyel Aufdenberg Memorial Scholarship
- Taylor Fehr of Jackson – Ken Hayden Memorial Scholarship
- Eli Glueck of Chaffee – Joseph and Harriette Hunter McCrate Scholarship
- Harley Glueck of Scott City – Mark F. Scully Nursing Scholarship
- Courtney Huckabee of Columbia – Bernadean Campbell Memorial Scholarship
- Whitney James of Jackson – Lucy Ellen Towse Memorial Scholarship
- Mollie Jennings of Jackson – Saint Francis Foundation Scholarship
- Kaitlyn Jones of Cape Girardeau – Sisters of Saint Francis Nursing Scholarship
- Madison Kribs of Chester, IL – Bess Estes Healthcare Scholarship
- Grace Landewee of Scott City – Edythe M. Davis Scholarship
- Alexis Laster of Jackson- Lee George and Katherine Jane Cochran Memorial Scholarship
- Jada Long of Evansville, IL – Mamie Hall Memorial Scholarship
- Charles McIntyre of Jackson – Saint Francis Auxiliary 125th Anniversary Scholarship
- Kayla Overbeck of Cape Girardeau – Saint Francis Auxiliary Healthcare Scholarship
- Payton Reinbott of Poplar Bluff – Evalyn and S. David Nunley Scholarship
- Tyson Underwood of Scott City – Clara D. Newnam Memorial Scholarship
- Macy Wendel of Jackson – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
- Teyarah Williams of Charleston – Huttegger-Scherer Memorial Scholarship
During the reception, recipient, Whitney James, shared reflections on the impact of the award: “This scholarship is helping me grow not just as a nurse and educator, but as a role model for the students I teach and the little humans I’m raising at home. Thank you for believing in me and in the future of nursing.” James is a Registered Nurse and Neuro Medical clinical educator at Saint Francis Healthcare System. She is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Clinical Nurse Leadership at Central Methodist University.
Established in 1980, the Saint Francis Healthcare Scholarship Program is made possible through the generosity of the Saint Francis Foundation, the Saint Francis Auxiliary and dedicated donors. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $929,000 in scholarships to support college students pursuing careers in healthcare.
Blair Huckstep, a Registered Nurse in the Surgical/Operating Room at Saint Francis, spoke on behalf of her family, sponsors of the Susan Kluesner Hinkebein Memorial Scholarship, in honor of her late mother. “My Mom was called to serve her patients. The Saint Francis scholarship program not only gives back to others but allows my mother’s legacy and others like her to live on.”
To be eligible for a Saint Francis Healthcare Scholarship, applicants must have completed at least one year in an accredited healthcare program and be currently enrolled. Additional criteria include maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA, submitting all required materials by the stated deadline, and residing within the Saint Francis service area as defined in the application.
For more information about the Saint Francis Healthcare Scholarship Program, call 573-331-3192 or visit the Foundation website.
