Helping people reach their health care education goals, the Inspire Health Foundation has awarded several scholarships including the Anderson Behavioral Health Scholarship and the new Dr. Jerry and Norma Hamm Scholarships.
“We are very excited about the addition of the Dr. Jerry and Norma Hamm Scholarship this year, honoring their service to CHC/SEK and their commitment to education in southeast Kansas,” said Rebecca Turnbull, Director of Inspire Health Foundation. “We would like to express a special thank you to Dr. Jerry and Norma Hamm’s daughter and son-in-law, Betsy and Jim Chappell, for their generous donation to the scholarship fund and for their participation on the selection committee.”
The Dr. Jerry and Norma Hamm scholarship is awarded to CHC/SEK staff and their dependents who are pursuing a healthcare-related degree or taking secondary healthcare-related courses. The Anderson Behavioral Health Scholarship is awarded to applicants pursuing a clinical track Masters, or Doctoral Degree in a behavioral health field from an accredited university.
Recipients include Clayton Cook, LBSW, Emma Cornett, McKayla Edwards, PharmD, KC Hopkins, Rebbeca Kirk, Brian Martin, PharmD, Kyli Plouvier, and Samantha Tadlock.
“It was inspiring to read about all of the wonderful things applicants are involved in and to learn about their future goals,” said Turnbull. “They truly are making a positive impact in their communities, and we are grateful for these scholarships to help them in their future healthcare endeavors.”
Clayton Cook, LBSW
Clayton Cook, LBSW, is a medical social worker for CHC/SEK’s Mount Carmel Hospice. He discovered his passion for working with individuals in the dying process and their families while studying for his bachelor’s degree in social work. He received the Anderson Behavioral Health Scholarship and the Dr. Jerry and Norma Hamm scholarship.
Clayton has a long history of giving back to the community by serving as a volunteer and now acting as a volunteer coordinator for hospice patients.
He is attending the University of Kansas this summer to further his education by pursuing a master’s in social work. He hopes to learn all he can to better serve his patients and the southeast Kansas community as a whole.
“Receiving these scholarships is an honor,” Clayton says. “It helps me with the practical concern of the high cost of education. But it is also an indicator to me that CHC/SEK values their clinicians, our development, and how we contribute to the high quality of our patient’s care. Which I find very meaningful.”
Emma Cornett
Emma Cornett works as a Certified Nurse Assistant in Arkansas.
She is attending school to become a nurse at Harding University. After obtaining a Bachelor of Nursing, she plans to work in a rural area before going back to school to become a nurse practitioner.
“I hope to be able to help provide care for underserved areas and make a lasting impact on my patients,” Emma says.
McKayla Edwards, PharmD
McKayla Edwards, PharmD, is a pharmacy manager at CHC/SEK’s Apothecare – Pittsburg South (Bicknell) location. She is working towards a Masters of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration through Pittsburg State University.
“My primary motivation was to expand my knowledge and skill set, as I aim to make a more significant impact in the healthcare industry and contribute to improving healthcare services and patient outcomes,” she says.
McKayla says this degree will equip her with the expertise needed to address the complex challenges within the healthcare sector and enable her to contribute towards providing high-quality care to patients, while actively participating in initiatives geared towards enhancing the overall quality and accessibility of healthcare services.
“I am honored to be a recipient of this scholarship,” she says. “Dr. Hamm was a leader who understood the importance of taking action. He recognized that it is easy to sit back and wait for someone else to make a difference, but the only way to truly effect change is to take responsibility for our actions and do what we can to make a positive impact.”
KC Hopkins
KC Hopkins is a recent high school graduate from Galena. In the fall, he starts his studies at the University of Saint Mary’s.
A student athlete through his high school career, KC decided to study physical therapy after getting a sports injury. KC says that his studies will help patients regain strength or movement.
“I am grateful for the scholarship, it will help me to pursue my dreams,” he says, adding he also thanks his parents.
Rebbeca Kirk
Rebbeca Kirk is a STI/HIV Care Coordinator at the CHC/OK-Miami clinic.
“As a mom and wife, it is often times hard to put your dreams above your family, however with the support of my husband, I made the decision last year to go back to school to pursue a degree in Health and Human services,” Rebbeca says.
Rebbeca is studying at Western Governors University toward a Bachelor’s in Health and Human Services. In her role as a STI/HIV Coordinator, she felt that the degree would help her be a better advocate for the patients.
“I had the emotional support needed and I was ready to go, however the cost of higher education is expensive,” she says. “I am so blessed that I had the opportunity to apply for Dr. Jerry and Norma Hamm’s scholarship. This helps ease financial hardships that may have previously been in the way.”
Brian Martin, PharmD
Brian Martin, PharmD, is the specialty pharmacy manager of Apothecare Select. He is studying toward a Masters of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration at Pittsburg State University.
He is passionate about accessible, high quality patient care, the advancement of the pharmacy profession and the pursuit of lifelong learning.
“I am an avid believer in the constant pursuit of learning,” Brian says. “Each morning when I drop off my children at school, I remind them to learn something new. Then, every night, we talk about what they learned. Lifelong learning allows us to continually improve our skillsets.”
Apothecare Select, a specialty pharmacy, will open soon in Pittsburg. The specialty pharmacy brings a unique approach to pharmacy management and operations.
“I feel the MBA program will position me to better navigate the accreditation processes and provide a consistent, high level of care to our patients,” Brian says. “The scholarship demonstrates CHC/SEK and Inspire Health’s consistent support of education and for that, I am especially thankful!”
Kyli Plouvier
Kyli Plouvier works at the Pittsburg South (Bicknell) clinic as a medical assistant. She is studying nursing at Labette Community College to learn more about how to care for patients.
“I want to further my career to better the future for my children and I love learning more about the career I am currently in,” she says.
Receiving this scholarship means she can further her education, becoming one step closer to her goal of becoming a nurse.
“It also is very exciting to me because I got to experience meeting the wonderful couple that this scholarship was in honor of and that is truly such an honor to me and such a blessing,” Kyli adds. “I want to thank everyone, truly so much for granting me this scholarship. It is such an honor. I cannot thank you all enough to be able to be one step closer to reaching my goals to becoming a nurse. You all have no idea how much it means to me. Thank you again so much.”
Samantha Tadlock
Samantha Tadlock is a Medical Assistant for CHC/SEK’s Correctional Health.
She decided to go back to school to study nursing to further her knowledge in the nursing field to better care for patients.
“I decided to further my education to be a nurse after working in the correctional health setting, to care for people, and to show my kids it is never too late,” Samantha says.
“Receiving this scholarship means the world to my family and me. It will help pay to further my education and lift the burden of the financial side of schooling,” she says, adding that it’s especially an honor receiving a scholarship in the Hamm’s name. “My husband and I personally knew the Hamm’s and they were the sweetest most kind people I have ever met. They were so sweet and welcoming to my children and who would sit and listen to their stories.”
Learn more about the Inspire Health Foundation here.