Cape Girardeau, Missouri - Saint Francis Foundation and the Saint Francis Medical Center Auxiliary awarded healthcare scholarships to 23 local students on July 31. Each student received $2,000 in scholarships toward a degree in a healthcare-related profession.

The Saint Francis Healthcare Scholarship Program was created in 1980. The program is funded by Saint Francis Foundation and the Saint Francis Auxiliary. Since its inception, the program has provided more than $533,000 in education scholarships to college students in an effort to encourage participation in professional healthcare careers. Scholarship recipients must have completed at least one year in an accredited healthcare program, maintain a minimum of 3.0 GPA and complete the application and essay requirements by the scheduled deadline. They must also reside within Saint Francis Medical Center’s service area, as defined in the application.

The 2015 Saint Francis Healthcare Scholarship Program Recipients are:

Austin Cook, Chaffee – Joseph and Harriette Hunter McCrate Scholarship

Alexis Engelhart, Jackson – Lee George and Katherine Jane Cochran Memorial Scholarship

Emily Greenley, Thebes, Ill. – Saint Francis Foundation Scholarship

Rachel Hearnes, Charleston – Clara D. Newnam Memorial Scholarship

Megan Hecht, Jackson – Lucy Ellen Towse Memorial Scholarship

Kody Hindman, Cape Girardeau – Carrie Suedekum Memorial Scholarship

Madison Huckstep, Scott City – Susan E. Hinkebein Memorial Scholarship

Hannah Hunter, Jackson – Ken Hayden Memorial Nursing Scholarship

Amanda Lappe, Oak Ridge – Earl Jr. and Lori Wills Memorial Scholarship

Kristy Lohman, Chester, Ill. – Mamie Hall Memorial Scholarship

Elizabeth Leimer, Gordonville – Bess Estes Healthcare Scholarship

Sarah McCrate, Jackson – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship

Kaitlin McGrath, Cape Girardeau – Saint Francis Auxiliary Healthcare Scholarship

Jordan Myer, Jackson          – Evalyn and S. David Nunley Scholarship

Caleb Newcomer, Jackson – Huttegger-Scherer Memorial Scholarship

Taylor Powers, Anna, Ill. – Bernadean Campbell Memorial Scholarship

Olivia Renner, Jackson – Saint Francis Auxiliary Physician Honor Scholarship

Ethan Seyer, Oak Ridge – Mark F. Scully Nursing Scholarship

Tripti Shakya, Cape Girardeau – Christen Joyel Aufdenberg Memorial Scholarship

Emma Steffens, Jackson – Saint Francis Auxiliary 125th Anniversary Scholarship

Cody Van de Ven, Leopold – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship

Emily Welker, Cape Girardeau – Sisters of Saint Francis Nursing Scholarship

Melissa Wyatt, Jackson – Edythe M. Davis Scholarship

For more information about the Saint Francis Foundation and Auxiliary Healthcare Scholarship Program, call 573-331-5790.

Saint Francis Foundation is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization that supports Saint Francis Medical Center by strengthening the institution overall and reaffirming its mission of supporting the community and the people it serves. Formally organized in 1976, its mission reflects the Medical Center’s priorities through fundraising efforts that support the community. The Foundation sponsors several annual events, including golf tournaments, and philanthropic activities such as annual appeals, memorials, endowment funds, planned giving, grants and major gifts. Through the generosity of the community, staff and volunteers, the Foundation accepts contributions each year to purchase state-of-the-art equipment, provide patient and employee assistance, create new programs that help patients in the region, and improve facilities at the Medical Center.