Spectrum Health United and Kelsey Hospitals Award Scholarships

Future health professionals receive help with college tuition.

GREENVILLE, Mich., June 10, 2020 – Six college bound-students pursuing careers in the medical field have been awarded $1,000 scholarships from the Spectrum Health Foundation and medical staff at Spectrum Health United and Kelsey hospitals.

The annual scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, community involvement, and the student’s acceptance to a college or university to pursue a degree in the medical profession.

“Helping deserving students as they pursue higher education goals in health care is a highlight of our year,” said Shelly Westbrook, director, Spectrum Health Foundation United and Kelsey Hospitals. “We’re very proud to support these students as it’s an investment in the future of health care in our region,” she said.

The scholarship program is intended to help offset the cost of higher education and to encourage students to pursue health care careers in our communities. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and be admitted to an accredited college or university.

Scholarship recipients are Beemnet Milewski, Greenville High School; Sara Crawford, Lakeview High School; Kaitlynn Naert, Central Montcalm High School; Harlow Hovarter, Cedar Springs High School; Katelynn Gasper, Belding High School and, Kaitlynn Heiss Tri County High School.

Milewski will attend Grand Rapids Community College with plans of transferring to Grand Valley State University to become a physician assistant in dermatology.

Crawford will attend Central Michigan University to pursue a pre-med degree. She plans to minor in leadership and psychology.

Naert plans to become a doctor or nurse practitioner and will begin college at Baker College in Owosso.

Hovarter will attend Central Michigan University with plans to major in exercise science and then receive a doctorate in physical therapy.

Gasper plans to become a cardiovascular nurse or a physical or occupational therapist. She will attend Aquinas College.

Heiss will attend Northern Michigan University with plans of becoming a registered nurse.

“Experiencing a global pandemic shows just how important health care workers are, and we congratulate these students as they purse selfless career paths to help ensure the future of our community is cared for,” Westbrook said.

About Spectrum Health

Spectrum Health System, a not-for-profit, integrated health system, is committed to improving the health and wellness of our communities. We live our mission every day with 31,000 compassionate professionals, 4,600 medical staff experts, 3,300 committed volunteers and a health plan serving 1 million members. Our talented physicians and caregivers are privileged to offer a full continuum of care and wellness services to our communities through 14 hospitals, including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, 150 ambulatory sites and telehealth offerings. We pursue health care solutions for today and tomorrow that diversify our offerings. Locally-governed and based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, our health system provided $585 million in community benefit in fiscal year 2019. Thanks to the generosity of our communities, we received $30 million in philanthropy in the most recent fiscal year to support research, academics, innovation and clinical care. Spectrum Health has been recognized as one of the nation’s 15 Top Health Systems by Truven Health Analytics®, part of IBM Watson Health^TM.

Contact:
John Norton
Corporate Communications Manager
Office: 231.592.4387
Mobile: 231.580.1079
Email: john.norton@corewellhealth.org