HCMH Employees Receive Scholarships from the Iowa Health Care Association Foundation

West Des Moines, Iowa – Earlier this week, the Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA) Foundation awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to 74 Iowans seeking to further their health care education in the long-term care sector. The recipients include current long-term care workers, high school students, first-generation college students and individuals from rural communities. Scholarships provide for the cost of a variety of health care and leadership programs to equip health care workers with the skills they need to work in long-term care.

“As Iowa's senior population continues to grow and the need for long-term care services rises, the IHCA Foundation is committed to training skilled, compassionate professionals to meet these needs,” said IHCA Foundation Program Director Natalie Thompson. “Our 2025 scholarship initiatives, generously made possible by donors, aim to support driven individuals in building their careers in long-term care. The overwhelming response from applicants is truly inspiring, and we applaud this year’s recipients for their dedication to this essential field. Their contributions are invaluable, and we are excited to see the positive difference they will make in countless lives.”

More than 200 applications were received for this year’s scholarships. Scholarship applications were evaluated by the IHCA Foundation Board of Directors based upon the applicant’s experience, recommendations and future educational and career goals in long-term care. This year’s IHCA Foundation scholarship recipients include:

IHCA Member Employee Scholarship Recipients

This $1,500 scholarship is for IHCA member organization employees pursuing a nursing, health care administration or physical or occupational therapy training program and is made possible by Iowa Society of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (IPALTC), IHCA Nurse Connect, Iowa Council of Activity Professionals (ICAP), IHCA Districts, Assured Partners, Brighton Consulting Group, Blue Stone Therapy, Consonus Pharmacy, Lee Agency, Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc., McKesson, NuCara Long-Term Care Pharmacy and Home Medical, Right Dose, A Guardian Pharmacy and Provider Partners. 

- Kassie Wyatt, Humboldt County Memorial Hospital LTC

 

Care Initiatives New Director of Nursing (DON) Scholarship Recipients

This scholarship is for is for directors of nursing (DONs), assistant directors of nursing (ADONs) or registered nurses (RNs) working in long-term care and is made possible by Care Initiatives. Six scholarships were awarded to the following recipients:

- Stacy Willard, Humboldt County Memorial Hospital LTC

 

About the Iowa Health Care Association Foundation

Founded in 1988 by the Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA), the mission of the IHCA Foundation is to foster excellence in long-term care for Iowans by building a stronger workforce. The IHCA Foundation carries out this mission by empowering individuals to reach their career goals in the long-term care profession through scholarships, career education and career access programs. IHCA Foundation programs help support career opportunities available in the long-term care continuum, including nursing facilities, assisted living programs, residential care facilities, senior living communities and home health agencies.