Health foundation awards scholarships to 15 students

The Conway Regional Health Foundation recently awarded scholarships to 15 area health care students totaling $24,000.

The students received scholarships based on grade point average, leadership ability, activities and financial need. Scholarship recipients and their families were recognized during a reception in the Conway Regional Women’s Center.

During the reception, Conway Regional President and CEO Jim Lambert recognized the support of the medical staff, which donated funds for seven of the scholarships, as well as several private scholarship donors.

“This type of support is essential to the future of health care in our community,” Lambert said. “This is a great example of how physicians and other donors can give back to the community through contributions to the Health Foundation.”

Many area students applied for these scholarships. Lambert said, “These were difficult decisions because of the quality of the applicants.” He noted that the Scholarship Committee spent a lengthy period of time interviewing applicants and reading essays and reference letters.

Conway Regional Medical Staff recipients:

Heather Moix of Conway is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology with a pre-medicine emphasis at the University of Central Arkansas. She is a graduate of St. Joseph High School.

Ashley Crawford of Vilonia is pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She is a graduate of Vilonia High School.

Kane Moix of Conway is working toward a doctorate in physical therapy from UCA. He holds a bachelor’s degree in health science from UCA and is a graduate of Rogers High School.

Brittany Zielstra of Conway is working toward a doctorate in physical therapy from UCA. She holds a bachelor’s degree from UCA and is a graduate of Conway High School.

Amanda Kroger of Little Rock is pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing degree at UCA. She is a graduate of Parkview High School.

Carly Hood of Mabelvale is pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy at UCA. She is a candidate for a bachelor’s degree in health sciences at UCA and is a graduate of Mount St. Mary Academy.

Another medical staff scholarship was named after Dr. William Furlow, a retired Conway physician.

Dr. William Furlow Scholarship recipient:

Stewart Scruggs of Conway has been accepted into the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences College of Medicine. Stewart holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and works as a medical services assistant in the Critical Care Unit at Conway Regional. He is a graduate of Conway High School.

Two students received the Dr. James S. Garrison Scholarship, which is given in honor of the late Dr. Garrison, a radiologist who began the Conway Regional Radiology Department.

Dr. James S. Garrison Scholarship recipients:

Crystal McMahan of Center Ridge is pursuing a master’s degree from UCA as a family nursing practitioner. She is a registered nurse who holds a bachelor of science in nursing degree from UCA and works in the cardiovascular intensive care unit at Conway Regional. Crystal is a graduate of Clinton High School.

Emily Noble of Conway is working toward a doctorate in physical therapy at UCA. She holds a bachelor’s degree in health science and is a graduate of Rogers High School.

The Eleanor Duncan Scholarship memorializes a highly respected oncology nurse at Conway Regional.

Eleanor Duncan Scholarship recipient:

Sloane Nolan of Conway is majoring in pre-medicine at UCA with plans to become a pediatric oncologist. She is a graduate of St. Joseph High School.

Two scholarships are provided through Conway Regional’s Nursing Retention and Recruitment Committee. Individual employees make contributions to the fund, and the committee holds fundraisers to replenish the scholarships.

Clemmie Cook Nursing Scholarship recipient:

Meghan Mallett is pursuing a master’s degree as a family nurse practitioner at UCA. She holds a bachelor of science in nursing from UCA and is employed as a registered nurse and childbirth educator at Conway Regional Medical Center.

Conway Regional Nursing Scholarship recipient:

Shelby Almond of Conway is working toward a bachelor of science in nursing degree at UCA and is currently working as a medical services assistant in Labor and Delivery at Conway Regional. Shelby is a graduate of Malvern High School.

The John and Janice Robbins Scholarship is funded by the Conway Regional Women’s Council in honor of contributions to the community made by the former president and CEO of Conway Regional and his wife.

John and Janice Robbins Scholarship recipient:

Olivia Lefler of Conway is pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing degree from UCA and is a graduate of Conway High School.

The Jon Scott McMahan Memorial Scholarship is funded in memory of the late Jon Scott McMahan, a division fire chief with the Conway Fire Department and a long-time EMT in Conway.

Jon Scott McMahan Memorial Scholarship recipient:

Corey Robinson of Little Rock has been accepted int
o the UAMS paramedic program and is working toward a paramedic license. He holds a sociology degree from Oklahoma State University and is a graduate of Owasso High School.

The Mary Ann Stiefvater Scholarship honors the 50-year leader of Conway Regional’s medical information services.

Mary Ann Stiefvater Scholarship recipient:

Kendra Massa of Conway is pursing a bachelor’s degree in health information management from the University of Cincinnati. She holds a degree in medical records technology from UAMS and a degree in biology from UALR. Kendra is a coding supervisor at Conway Regional.

Anyone interested in contributing toward a health care scholarship fund at Conway Regional can contact Dot Welch, associate director of the Conway Regional Health Foundation, at 501.513.5771.