Local students among 110 Iowans to receive scholarships from Iowa Health Care Association Foundation
Over 100 Iowans who want to advance their health care education to work in long-term care recently received over $300,000 in scholarships from the Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA) Foundation. Scholarship recipients include current long-term care employees, as well as high school students, veterans and Iowans in rural communities wanting to join the health care profession. Scholarships provide for the cost of a variety of health care and leadership programs to equip health care workers with skills they need to work in long-term care.
“With Iowa’s senior population increasing and a growing demand for quality long-term care services, the IHCA Foundation is committed to developing skilled, caring professionals to meet these needs,” said IHCA Foundation Program Director Natalie Thompson. “Our 2024 scholarship programs, generously supported by donors, aim to empower motivated individuals to pursue careers in long-term care. The overwhelming interest among applicants is inspiring, and we commend this year’s scholarship recipients for their dedication to this noble profession. Having worked in various health care settings and receiving lifesaving care myself, I hold the utmost respect and gratitude for all health care professionals. Your work is truly invaluable, and we look forward to seeing the positive difference you will undoubtedly make in the lives of many.”
More than 240 applications were received for this year’s scholarships. Scholarship applications were evaluated by the IHCA Foundation Board of Directors based upon the applicant’s experience, recommendations and future educational and career goals in long-term care. This year’s IHCA Foundation scholarship winners included a pair of local recipients from within Allamakee County:
• Azlynn Cota, a 2024 graduate of Waukon High School who has been employed at Wellington Place in Decorah, was one of 61 recipients of a John W. & Kimberly D. Grubb Registered Nurse (RN) Scholarship. This $4,000 scholarship is made possible by the John R. and Zelda Z. Grubb Charitable Foundation and is for employees of IHCA member organizations pursuing an RN degree.
• Kayla Stever of Dorchester was one of five recipients of a Linda Juckette Family Veteran and Rural Scholarship. This $2,000 scholarship is made possible by the Linda Juckette Family Gift Fund and is for Iowans residing in a rural Iowa county or who have served in the military and are interested in pursuing nursing or health care administration programs or certification programs for dietary management, activities, social services or reimbursement professionals in Iowa, with the goal of working in long-term care.
