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ST. JOSEPH – Through the Allied Health Careers Scholarship program, Spectrum Health Lakeland Foundation awarded a total of $47,500 in the form of 37 scholarships to Lakeland team members and area students pursuing a career in health care. Another $54,000 will be awarded in department grants to support continuing education opportunities for Lakeland team members.

For more than 25 years, Spectrum Health Lakeland Foundation has awarded more than $1.5 million in scholarships and grants to Lakeland team members, departments, and volunteers. This has been made possible largely through endowments from community members designed with the sole purpose of investing in healthcare education and training.

“While this year’s event was held virtually to keep everyone safe, it was still a very special day that we look forward to each year because it’s an opportunity to recognize many of our team members who are pursuing additional education and training which ultimately helps us take better care of our patients,” said Brandi Smith, vice president of philanthropy and president, Spectrum Health Lakeland Foundation. “It’s also a wonderful way to continue to recognize our donors who’ve created the endowments by which we provide these scholarships.”

During the scholarship ceremony, Smith presented Chido Masiya, nursing director at Pine Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation with the organization’s Leo Soorus Leadership Award to honor her outstanding leadership and efforts to inspire team members and safely care for residents at the facility during the COVID-19 pandemic including establishing a dedicated COVID-19 unit. The Leo Soorus Leadership Award and grant honors Soorus’ many contributions to Southwest Michigan as a Lakeland executive and a leader of multiple community and professional organizations.

Lakeland team members and area students from Leader Publications’ coverage area who received scholarships through the Spectrum Health Lakeland Foundation include:

• Keara Rankin, of Dowagiac, Muriel Huizenga Memorial Allied Health Careers Scholarship Endowment Fund
• Hannah Albright, of Niles, Niles College Scholarship
• Jessica Blank, of Niles, Niles College Scholarship
• Tyler Clutter, of Niles, Growth and Achievement Scholarship
• Sean Gurley, of Niles, Frederick S. Upton Memorial Nursing Scholarship
• Kennan Janowski, of Niles, Lakeland Health Auxiliary Berrien General Volunteer Scholarship