Clarion Hospital Foundation Supports Healthcare Careers Through Numerous Scholarship Opportunities

Clarion, PA, Jan. 29, 2025 - Independence Health System’s Clarion Hospital Foundation is accepting scholarship applications for the 2025-2026 academic year. The scholarships support local high school graduates and future graduates who have demonstrated academic excellence and an interest in pursuing healthcare careers. To be considered, the application package must be postmarked or delivered to the hospital foundation office by Feb. 28, 2025.

The following scholarships are available:

• Dr. John E. Brooks Memorial Scholarship: This $1,000 scholarship, created by the Brooks family, was set up in his honor to support local students pursuing higher education in healthcare.
• Joseph and Helen Miller Memorial Scholarship: The Clarion Hospital Foundation established this scholarship in honor of the Miller Family. Two, $1,000 scholarships are available to students interested in a healthcare career.
• Fran Shope Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship was established to aid students pursuing a career in the medical field. Two, $1,000 scholarships are available.
• James B. Alexander Memorial Scholarship: This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to the applicant who submits the best essay regarding why they want to pursue a healthcare career.
• Dr. John L. Johnston Memorial Scholarship: This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student currently enrolled or accepted into a medical school.

To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria: be a graduate or future graduate of a Clarion County high school; be accepted to a school of post-secondary health care education; have a 3.0 grade point average in their final three years of high school; have plans to pursue an education in nursing, inhalation therapy, lab technology, radiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical technology, or other medical field.

The Stroup Family Nursing Scholarships, which were made possible through a generous donation from the Stroup family, will be awarded to students pursuing careers in nursing. The following nursing scholarships are available:

• ASN Scholarship: This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student entering their first year of the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program at PennWest Clarion in fall 2025. During the second year of the ASN program, awardees in good standing become a Nurse Extern at Clarion Hospital. The Nurse Extern Program provides RN experience through mentorship, $5,000 tuition reimbursement, and employment upon graduation.

• BSN Scholarship: This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student entering their first year of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at PennWest Clarion in fall 2025. This scholarship is renewable for year two of the BSN program. During the students’ BSN program’s third and fourth years, awardees in good standing become a Nurse Extern at Clarion Hospital. The Nurse Extern Program provides RN experience through mentorship, $5,000 (per year) tuition reimbursement, and employment upon graduation.

To be eligible for the Stroup Nursing Scholarships, students must meet the following criteria: be a graduate or future graduate of a Clarion, Forest, Jefferson, Or Venango County High School; be accepted into PennWest Clarion for fall 2025; have a 3.0 grade point average in their final three years of high school; plans to pursue an education in nursing, enter the nurse extern program, and gain employment at Clarion Hospital.

Independence Health System and the Clarion Hospital Foundation thank our generous scholarship donors for enabling much-needed financial support for healthcare careers.

Applications can be found online at www.independence.health. Select ‘Giving’ and then ‘Scholarships’ under the Clarion Hospital Foundation menu. For additional information, contact the Clarion Hospital Foundation at 814-226-1258. The deadline for application submission is Feb. 28, 2025.

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Nationally recognized for quality care, Independence Health System comprises Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland Hospitals with a combined bed count of 925. With more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and 7,300 employees, the System is the third largest in western Pennsylvania serving a population base of 750,000 in a footprint spanning more than 10 counties.

The System includes tertiary programs rated among America’s best for cardiac care and surgery, earning accolades from a number of prestigious outlets and organizations. Locally owned and locally controlled, Independence Health System offers its patients low-cost, high-quality care across the care spectrum in such specialties as cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, women’s health and obstetrics, emergency medicine, behavioral health and primary care. Its network of outpatient centers sees more than 1.2 million visits annually. The homecare division further supports patients at all stages of life with home health and hospice services. Learn more at www.independence.health