News
KH Awards Two Scholarships
June 08, 2012
Kewanee Hospital is pleased to announce the winners of two annual scholarships. Heather Achuff was awarded the McCarthy Family Scholarship in the amount of $2,000 and Marimar Rodriguez received the Ruth Neff Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $300.
Achuff resides in Kewanee and is a graduate of Pontiac Township High School. She obtained an Associate's Degree from Black Hawk College and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Illinois State University. Achuff served as a combat medic in the Army for nearly ten years as a certified EMT-B.
“I deployed to Afghanistan for 10 months after graduating from ISU,” Achuff said. “While in Afghanistan I worked in the troop medical clinic taking care of soldiers, went on humanitarian aid missions and ultimately ended the last few months of the deployment as a team medic for a 12 soldier police mentor team. While overseas, I got to provide care to a wide variety of soldiers and local nationals and I felt comfortable, confident and proud of what I was doing.”
The Scholarship honors Miss Harriet McCarthy and her parents, Harry and Florence B. McCarthy. The McCarthy family played an integral part in the Kewanee community for many years. Kewanee Hospital honors their lasting citizenship and their commitment to higher learning through this scholarship opportunity. McCarthy Family Scholarship recipients must maintain a primary residence in Henry, Stark, or Bureau Counties and be enrolled in an accredited RN program, either at an associates, diploma, or bachelors degree level (potentially 2, 3, and 4 years of study respectively).
“We always appreciate the opportunity to support area students with their healthcare education,” stated Kristin Keane. “It is an honor to award the McCarthy Family Scholarship to Heather, knowing she aspires to work as a nurse at Kewanee Hospital.”
Pictured presenting the scholarship money to Heather Achuff are Kristin Keane, Director of Marketing & Development and Jackie Kernan, Director of Med-Surg-Peds-Swing Bed Services.
Marimar Rodriguez, winner of the Ruth Neff Memorial Scholarship, resides in Kewanee and is a graduate of Kewanee High School. She plans to attend Black Hawk East College to obtain a nursing associates degree.
“Marimar was selected based on her commitment to education and interest in patient care,” stated Kristin Keane, Director of Marketing & Development at Kewanee Hospital. “She is fluent in both Spanish and English, and semi-fluent in French. Her ability to communicate with a diverse patient base will be a tremendous asset to any healthcare organization.”
The Ruth Neff scholarship is an educational award based on financial need, scholastic achievement and long term professional and personal goals, awarded to an individual who is pursuing a career in nursing. The scholarship was established in 1990 in memory of Mrs. Ruth Neff, who had been an obstetrics nurse at Kewanee Hospital for 30 years.
For more information on scholarship opportunities with Kewanee Hospital call the Marketing and Development at (309) 852-7822.
Pictured presenting the scholarship money to Rodriguez are Kristin Keane, Director of Marketing & Development and Jackie Kernan, RN, BSN, Director of Med-Surg-Peds-Swing Bed Services at Kewanee Hospital.
