The John Gaines Medical Excellence fund was established in 2005 in memory of Mr. Gaines, a retired horseman and former owner of Gainesway Farm. He was an art collector, philanthropist, visionary and true renaissance man to those who knew him. 

In addition to being the father of the Breeders' Cup, he was instrumental in founding the Kentucky Horse Park, the Maxwell H. Gluck Center for Equine Research and the National Thoroughbred Association, which served as the catalyst for the formation of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. 

His philanthropic generosity has supported Holy Spirit Catholic parish at the Newman Center and numerous other educational initiatives.

With the support of John’s wife, Joan, his family and friends, the Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation established the John R. Gaines Scholarship.

The Gaines Medical Excellence Program provides annual funding for candidates seeking various medical program degrees, while supporting clinical and educational opportunities that advance credentials for CHI Saint Joseph Health employees.

The competitive scholarship in the amount of $5,000 will be awarded to (a) qualified applicant(s) seeking a degree in the medical field. 

Robert Hewett was the longest serving board chair in Saint Joseph Healthcare’s history. Together with his wife, Donna, they established the Robert and Donna Hewett Nursing Endowment through a generous gift to the Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation in 2008.

This $2500 scholarship is awarded to individuals who wish to obtain a nursing degree. The deadline for the application and all supporting materials is Friday, July 12, 2024.

The Phyllis Cronin Nursing Scholarship was established in 2003 to recognize and honor Phyllis’ unparalleled dedication and commitment to Saint Joseph Hospital. A charter member of the Foundation Board of Directors, she has served as both president of the Foundation and president of the STARS Committee; she also created the Patient Financial Assistance Fund. The nursing education endowment was established as a tribute in recognition of her many years of outstanding and compassionate service to the hospital. 

This $2500 scholarship is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated career promise to achieve their goals in obtaining their BSN. The deadline for the application and all supporting materials is Friday, July 12, 2024.

Sr. Liz Wendeln was a true servant leader for many causes close to her. She served as the president of the Sisters of Nazareth, on the CHI Board of Stewardship Trustees, as the chair of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Health system board and a member of the board of KentuckyOne Health, now CHI Saint Joseph Health. To honor her legacy an educational endowment has been established in her name.

The $1000 scholarship will be awarded annually to a student who is pursuing a degree in nursing or allied health.

This scholarship was established in 2023 to honor the career of Larry Schumacher and his wife Casey. Both RNs by trade, Larry dedicated over two decades of his professional career to the ministry of Catholic Health Initiatives, CHI, a part of CommonSpirit Health.

This $1000 scholarship is open to undergraduate and postgraduate professionals who seek credentials in nursing to provide care within CommonSpirit Health.

Established in 2020 in honor of Sr. Michael Leo Mullaney for her dedication and leadership to Saint Joseph Hospital. During her 22 years as hospital leader, Sr. Michael Leo liquidated the hospital’s $1 million debt, introduced computerization into the hospital offices, expanded services, and put into practice programs initiated by Medicare and Medicaid. Under her leadership, the hospital was expanded twice, increasing its capacity from 285 to 468 beds. Sr. Michael Leo was responsible for top hospital innovations, including the first physician-staffed emergency room and the first cardiac intensive care unit in central Kentucky, among other top accomplishments.

This $1000 scholarship will be awarded to candidates seeking LPN credentials.

The Bruce A. Klockars Employee Scholarship Fund was established on April 21, 2011 by Hospital Employees to honor Mr. Klockars for his years of service to the ministry.  Along with the Flaget Memorial Hospital Foundation this scholarship was established to promote the sustainable pipeline of quality health professionals for Flaget Memorial Hospital.  Funding is to be provided to individuals with demonstrated career promise and a proven ability to achieve academic and professional goals; goals consistent with the hospital. Bruce A. Klockars believes that individuals can achieve self-sufficiency, independence and professional advancement through the pursuit of life-long learning and the realization of education goals. 

Thanks to Flaget Memorial Employees, the community and the ongoing commitment of Bruce and Diane Klockars for the generous contribution to this fund, to further our employee’s training and careers.

Up to 2 competitive scholarships in the amount of $2500 will be awarded to obtain a bachelor's degree in Healthcare Management or Business Administration.

This fund was established in 2008 in memory of Stephen L. Craig. The purpose of this fund is to educate nurses and allied health professionals enhancing the quality of care delivered to patients. 

A competitive $2000 scholarship will be awarded to a candidate seeking to  further their education in the nursing or allied health fields.

Patti Mink was a longstanding and respected leader of Saint Joseph London. In her position as Director of Pharmacy, and in her 34 years with Saint Joseph London, she had a lasting, positive impact on the organization. Patti’s outstanding contributions are honored with the establishment of a permanent endowment in her name to educate the next generation of health caregivers.

This $1000 scholarship will be awarded to candidates pursuing a degree in nursing or allied health.