TCMH Healthcare Foundation awards scholarships to area students

The Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation awarded $8,000 in scholarships to area students to assist with their educational costs for the fall semester of 2024.
Samantha Williams, of Cabool; Kelsey Pritchett and Emilee Weaver, of Houston; Reagan Hoerning and Alexis Faith Hurst, of Mountain Grove; and Candace Mize, of Willow Springs; received $1,000 scholarships from the TCMH Healthcare Foundation.
Mize is pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing through Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR. Upon completion, she plans to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. She is employed at TCMH as an RN in the emergency department. 
Williams is an RN in our medical-surgical department and a Clinical Instructor at Texas County Technical Institute. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science (RN to MSN) through Western Governors University.
Hurst is pursuing an Associate of Science in Nursing through Missouri State University in West Plains and plans to attain her EMT certificate this summer. She is currently employed at TCMH as an Emergency Room Technician in our emergency department.
Pritchett is pursuing an Associate of Science in Nursing at Missouri State University in West Plains. She is employed at TCMH as an Emergency Room Technician in our emergency department. 
Weaver is pursuing an Associate of Science in Nursing at Missouri State University in West Plains. She is a CNA in the medical-surgical department and plans to continue working at TCMH. 
Hoerning is pursuing a biochemistry major (Pre-Med) at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar.  Upon completion of the program, her goal is to continue to medical school and eventually become a pediatrician or family practice physician in rural Missouri.
The Dr. Eugene Charles Honeywell Memorial Scholarship awarded one $1,000 scholarship to Kimrey Krewson of Licking.  The Healthcare Foundation directors chose Krewson.
Krewson is pursuing a degree in radiologic technology through East Central College in Rolla.  Upon completing the program, she plans to obtain her CT registry and certification in CT and then further her education with a Bachelor’s in CT. She is a radiology student technician at TCMH in the radiology department.
The endowed Dr. Joe L. and Judith T. Spears Memorial Scholarship Fund awarded Cora Turnbull of Bucyrus a $1,000 scholarship.
Turnbull is pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing through Western Governors University.  Upon completion, she plans to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. She is employed at TCMH as an RN and a Paramedic in the emergency medical services department. 
“We believe that education is the foundation of a thriving healthcare community,” Jeff Gettys, Healthcare Foundation President, said. 
The Healthcare Foundation holds an annual golf tournament to raise funds for educational scholarships for area students. It has received $5,000 in matching funds from the 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. 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.
“We are grateful for the HSGCF’s support, which allows us to expand the impact of our scholarships,” Gettys stated. “”Every additional dollar helps to cover the educational costs for our students.”
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 nearly $156,000 in scholarships to area students since the program began in 2007.
“The Foundation takes great pride in managing scholarships provided by endowments. These scholarships are awarded to individuals within the community and to employees working in healthcare-related fields in Texas County and its surrounding areas,” Gettys explained.
The TCMH Healthcare Foundation board of directors acknowledges the increasing demand for healthcare providers in rural America. The Foundation aspires that these scholarships will contribute to attracting and retaining qualified residents to work in the local healthcare sector.
The Healthcare Foundation plans to grant additional scholarships before the commencement of the spring school semester in 2025. Applications for the spring scholarships will be open for submission in January. 
Scholarship information and application at www.tcmhfoundation.org.