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DEBRA JEAN WITHROW SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED TO KERI HANCOCK - 2010-01-18

Keri Hancock of Noble was named as the recipient of the second Debra Jean Withrow Scholarship. The scholarship is an annual $500 scholarship that is awarded to a local nursing student enrolled in the Frontier Community College Nursing Program. 

“I am very honored to be named the recipient of the scholarship.  I am also very grateful to the trustees who make this scholarship possible.  They are helping ease the financial burden so nurses can reach their career goals. When I received word that I was the recipient, I was super excited and felt some relief of the financial burdens while I finish school,” stated Keri Hancock.

The scholarship selection committee reviews the scholarship applications that include an essay, two letters of recommendation, proof of full-time, second year registered nursing student, and proof of their current overall GPA. 

Kathleen Helstley, RN, CNOR, OR Nurse Manager at Fairfield Memorial Hospital, said, “On behalf of the selection committee, we are proud to provide this scholarship in memory of our very beloved friend and co-worker, Debbie.  We feel we chose an individual who has the knowledge, skill, and human touch, to advance herself in nursing and will provide patients the highest quality of care.” 

The Fairfield Memorial Hospital Surgery Staff would also like to thank the community for helping to support the Silent Auction that is held each year to raise funds for this scholarship.  This year’s Silent Auction raised over $3,000.  Until this scholarship fund becomes self supporting donations are welcome and are 501(c)(3) tax deductable.  Checks can be made payable to Debra Jean Withrow Scholarship Fund and should be mailed to Fairfield Memorial Hospital, c/o Kathleen Heltsley, 303 NW 11^th Street, Fairfield, IL  62837. 

Debra Jean Withrow was a nurse for over 30 years serving several area hospitals including St. Mary’s Hospital, Centralia, Crossroads Community Hospital, Mt. Vernon, and Fairfield Memorial Hospital.  She had specialized experience in obstetrics, emergency room, and the operating room.  Withrow was a huge supporter of local nursing programs.  At the time of her death, she was the reining president of the Southern Illinois Chapter of the Association of Peri-Operative Nurses (AORN).

Pictured is Betty Ritsch, RN; Janet Kinkade, MSN, FCC Instructor; Denise Spencer, RN, Keri Hancock, Kathleen Helstley, RN, CNOR; Hazel Vest, BSN, CNOR; and Vicky Lemons, BSN, CNOR, FCC Instructor.