The Kona Community Hospital Auxiliary recently awarded $15,000 in nursing scholarships to six local students seeking to pursue nursing careers.
The Kona Community Hospital Auxiliary nursing scholarship program annually awards up to $2500 per recipient to nursing students. This year the program funded scholarships for three new nursing students and three returning recipients. New scholarship recipients include Robert Chadwick, Yarden Davis and Caryn Masutomi. Second year recipients are Sherrine Gray, June Mohr and Joli Remund.
To be considered for the Auxiliary’s Nursing Scholarship, applicants must submit a resume, school transcripts, two letters of recommendation and a personal essay on why nursing was chosen as a career. In addition, students must already be accepted to a nursing school.
The Auxiliary’s goal is to provide financial assistance to nursing students, and to aide Kona Community Hospital in meeting its future nursing needs.
“All of our candidates have been deeply touched by experiences in the health care environment. Each is enthusiastic and committed to performing care in the service of others, and they all have passion and heart that will make them great nurses,” said Stephanie Irwin RN, director of education at Kona Community Hospital. “The Kona Hospital Auxiliary’s goal is to build a strong nursing workforce that will provide excellent healthcare to West Hawaii in the future.”
With 65 active members, the KCH Auxiliary is the largest volunteer organization at the hospital. There are numerous volunteer opportunities and they operate the hospital Gift Shop. Monies for nursing scholarships are generated by the Auxiliary’s Friday Bake Sale, an annual rummage sale and other activities. To be a volunteer or to donate to the nursing scholarship fund, contact the Auxiliary office at 322-4577 or visit their website at http://kchauxiliary.org