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CHI Saint Joseph Health Foundations Academic Scholarships 2024

CHI Saint Joseph Health Foundations

Academic Scholarships, 2025

CHI Saint Joseph Health is committed to providing the best quality health care to its patients and the communities we serve. To support this commitment, our community hospital foundations extend academic scholarships to eligible candidates pursuing a career in health care related programs.

Funding is made possible through the generosity of past and current employees as well as numerous donors that support crucial growth opportunities for advanced and other educational degree programs. 

Associate, bachelor's, and advanced degree candidates are welcome to apply to the applicable scholarship program. All applications and supporting materials are due by April 11, 2025.

Medical, Nursing and Allied Health Scholarships – Central Kentucky

Scholarships for Graduating Seniors

John R. Gaines Scholarship for Medical Excellence

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 $2,500 will be awarded to (a) qualified applicant(s) seeking a degree in the medical field. 

John R. Gaines

Robert & Donna Hewett Scholarship

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 $2,500 scholarship is awarded to individuals who wish to obtain a nursing degree. 

Robert and Donna Hewett

Joseph K. Ford Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship

The Joseph K. Ford Scholarship was established at Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation to honor Mr. Ford’s service and commitment to living our Catholic values. He was the co-founder of Dean, Dorton & Ford public accounting firm, where his leadership and ability to build and manage relationships was instrumental in the ongoing success of the firm.

Mr. Ford served the Saint Joseph Hospital Board of Directors as the Finance Committee Chair and as a member of the Executive Committee. He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather; dedicating several years to supporting Catholic Education. He was a former chair of Lexington Catholic High School’s Board of Directors and provided instrumental guidance to the school in financial management and investing in Athletic programs for growth.

A scholarship in the amount of $1,000 will be awarded to a graduating senior from Lexington Catholic High School who aspires to serve others in their chosen field of study for allied health, nursing or other public service.

Joseph K. Ford

Sr. Michael Leo Nursing Scholarship

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 $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a first or second year nursing student.

Sister Michael Leo

Scholarships for Secondary & Post-Secondary Students

John R. Gaines Scholarship for Medical Excellence

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. 

John R. Gaines

Phyllis Cronin Scholarship

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 $2,500 scholarship is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated career promise to achieve their goals in obtaining their BSN. 

Phyllis Cronin

Robert & Donna Hewett Scholarship

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 $2,500 scholarship is awarded to individuals who wish to obtain a nursing degree. 

Robert and Donna Hewett

Larry & Casey Schumacher Nursing Scholarship

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 $1,000 scholarship is open to undergraduate and postgraduate professionals who seek credentials in nursing to provide care within CommonSpirit Health.

Larry and Casey Schumacher

Sr. Liz Wendeln Scholarship

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 $1,000 scholarship will be awarded annually to a student who is pursuing a degree in nursing or allied health.

Sr. Liz Wendelyn

Flaget Memorial Hospital Foundation Scholarships

Scholarships for Graduating Seniors

Lily Smith Memorial Scholarship

Lily Brooke Smith had dreams of becoming a nurse one day, dedicating her time to the health sciences collab in Nelson County. Sadly, Lily passed away in a car accident in January 2024. To honor her memory, the Flaget Memorial Hospital Foundation established The Lily Smith Memorial Scholarship that will be awarded for the first time this May.

To receive this $5,000 award, applicants must be a high school student in Nelson County or a student in the ATC program.

Lily Smith

Flaget Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship

The Flaget Memorial Hospital Auxiliary will be giving away five $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors in the Nelson County area who plan to pursue a degree in the medical field. 

Please fill out and mail the attached application and supporting documents to: 

Bonnie Cecil, Chair, Auxiliary Scholarship Selection Committee
56 Mill Creek Lane 
Bardstown, Ky 40004

Please direct all questions to Bonnie Cecil at [email protected].

Scholarships for Secondary & Post-Secondary Students

Bruce Klockars Scholarship

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 $2,500 will be awarded to obtain a bachelor's degree in health care management or business administration.

Bruce Klockars

Sherri and Russell Craig Scholarship

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 $2,000 scholarship will be awarded to a candidate seeking to  further their education in the nursing or allied health fields.

Sherri Craig

CHI Saint Joseph Health Foundation Nursing or Allied Health Scholarships – London

Patti Mink Scholarship Endowment

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 $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to candidates pursuing a degree in nursing or allied health.

Patti Mink