JACKSON, Mo. – Mercy Health Foundation Southeast recently awarded health care scholarships to students within Southeast Missouri.
On Aug. 1, the foundation awarded more than $23,000 in scholarships to 23 students who were honored for their accomplishments during the 2025 Scholarship Awards Luncheon at the Jackson Civic Center.
Sheila Beussink, dean of nursing at Mercy’s Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences, addressed the scholarship recipients, their families and donors, recognizing their dedication to health care.
Mercy Southeast chief nursing officer Katie Finder and chief operating officer Anna Lopez presented each scholarship winner with certificates. Darah Jirkovsky, executive director of Mercy Health Foundation Southeast, served as master of ceremonies.
Since 1962, this scholarship program has awarded more than $1.2 million to local students, thereby supporting the education of more than 1,100 current and future health care workers in the region.
This year’s recipients include:
Mercy’s Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Hanna Clovis, Hugh & Marietta Logan Scholarship
Marki Coomer, Ronald James Schwent Nursing Scholarship
Tiarah Davis, Sheila R. Caskey, Ph.D., Scholarship
Addison Engelen, L.P. Maxwell, M.D., Scholarship
Elaine Flowers, Ronald James Schwent Nursing Scholarship
Kayla Goode, James W. Wente Scholarship
Kylie Holloway, O.D. Niswonger Scholarship
Alexis Laster, Karen Crites Hendrickson Ed.D., RN, NEA-BC, Scholarship
Riley Ledure, Nancy Ann Bray Scholarship
Vanessa Mungate, Dorothy Kies Penzel Scholarship
Charlene Penick, Charlotte Black Sargent Scholarship
Carli Waites, Tom Welch Radiography Scholarship
Lexi Welter, Jean Chapman, M.D., Scholarship
Tara Wibbenmeyer, Ilena Aslin Scholarship
Southeast Missouri State University
Jenna Essner, Hazel Harrison Strickler Scholarship
Madison Kribs, Margaret Foster Roberts Scholarship
Cameron Marchi, Mercy Health Foundation Southeast SEMO Scholarship
Sydnee Williams, Mercy Health Foundation Southeast SEMO Scholarship
Beck School of Practical Nursing
Rachael Young, Elda Haertling Scholarship
Jefferson College
Alexis Keller, Hutson Family Scholarship
Southern Illinois University
Emma Shields, Balsamo Family Scholarship
Three Rivers College
Hanna Crawford, Polly DuVal Kinder Scholarship
University of Missouri
Lawson Blocker, William and Martina Scott Scholarship
