Each year, the Clara Barton Foundation awards scholarships to applicants interested in pursuing a degree in the medical field. These scholarships have been funded through scholarship endowments established over the years. This year, the foundation awarded 8 scholarships, totaling $5,500.
The Verda Lane scholarship was made possible through an endowment established by her family in honor of her years of dedicated nursing service. This scholarship supports students in their academic journey toward becoming Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduates, or pursuing a Doctorate in Nursing. This year, the Verda Lane scholarship was awarded to Emilee Hall of Great Bend and Hayley Rees of Hays.
- Emilee Hall: Graduate of Great Bend High School (Class of 2024). Recently received her RN and is continuing her education at Grand Canyon University in the RN to BSN program. Has accepted a job as a labor and delivery nurse in Great Bend, while planning to remain PRN at Clara Barton.
- Haley Rees: Graduate of Hays High School (Class of 2024). Currently enrolled in the BSN program at Fort Hays State University and working in the Acute Care unit at HaysMed. Her long-term goal is to become a Pediatric RN.
The Jonathan Witt Scholarship supports students planning to pursue a healthcare professional curriculum. This scholarship is the oldest scholarship offered, having been continually awarded since the formation of the Hospital Auxiliary organization in the 1950’s. The auxiliary members voted to rename the scholarship in 2004 and established an endowment with the Foundation in honor of Jonathan Witt, son of Dr. Dan and Sandi Witt. This year, the scholarship was awarded to Liza Fuentes (Ward) and Maleigha Schmidt, both of Hoisington.
- Liza Fuentes: Graduate of Hoisington High School (Class of 2019). Currently enrolled at Kansas Health Science University – Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Wichita – graduating in the spring of 2028. Plans to pursue surgical residency, continue her training in Kansas, and return to the area to serve the community as a surgeon.
- Maleigha Schmidt: Graduate of Hoisington High School (Class of 2019). Currently enrolled at Kansas Health Science University – Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Wichita – graduating in the summer of 2028. Plans to begin rotations this summer, and return to the area after residency to practice Family Medicine.
The Sadie Stalcup Scholarship was established in recent years to honor Sadie Stalcup, a long-time nurse at Clara Barton Hospital. This year, the scholarships were awarded to Bryce Steffan of Ellinwood, Jayla Wyant of Hoisington, and Zoe Jerke of Great Bend.
- Bryce Steffan: Graduate of Ellinwood High School (Class of 2025). After participating in an early college program, he’s currently enrolled at Fort Hays State University and will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry in 2028. Plans to attend medical school afterward and ultimately return to Barton County to practice medicine.
- Jayla Wyant: Graduate of Hoisington High School (Class of 2023). Recently graduated from the accelerated BS/DO program at Missouri Southern State University. Currently enrolled at Kansas City University – Joplin and, after graduating as a primary care physician, plans to practice in a medically underserved area.
- Zoe Jerke: Graduate of Great Bend High School (Class of 2021). After graduating from McPherson College, she began working at Clara Barton as a Lab Assistant. Currently enrolled at Kansas Health Science University – Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Wichita – with plans to graduate in May 2030. Her ultimate goal is to return to a rural area as a Pediatrician.
The Dr. Robert Moore Scholarship was established at the request of the late Dr. Moore’s family to assist employees of Clara Barton Hospital with their continuing education. This year, the scholarship was awarded to Kaden Baird of Ellinwood.
- Kaden Baird: Currently a Med/Surg and ER CNA/Ward Clerk at Clara Barton Medical Center and an EMT with Lindsborg EMS Agency while enrolled at Barton Community College. After completing the LPN program at Barton Community College, he’ll continue in the RN program. After obtaining his RN license, he plans to continue at Clara Barton with a focus on the ER.
If you would be interested in making a contribution to any of these endowments or to the Clara Barton Foundation, please visit www.clarabartonhospital.com, contact the Foundation at 620-292-0814, or mail your tax-deductible contribution to P.O. Box 25, Hoisington, Kansas 67544.
