Kirby Awards Four Full-Ride Healthcare Scholarships

MONTICELLO, IL - Kirby Medical Center and The Kirby Foundation awarded four full-ride healthcare scholarships to students pursuing healthcare degrees in the community. These scholarships target certain positions within Kirby Medical Center, and the recipients are guaranteed a position post-graduation.

The 2021 Kirby Medical Center Healthcare Scholarship recipients are Tatum Auth, daughter of Ted and Sarah Auth of Mahomet, Kelsey Brewer, daughter of JD and Barb Shaffer of Abilene, TX, Grace Burnsmier, daughter of Scott and Sandy Burnsmier of Monticello, and Victoria Vandivier, daughter of Brian and Carla Vandivier of Bement.

Auth is a graduate of Bement High School and is continuing her education at Illinois State University to become a registered nurse. Brewer is a Kirby Medical Center employee attending Parkland College seeking to become a registered nurse. Burnsmier, a Monticello graduate, is attending Parkland College to become a registered nurse. Vandivier is graduating from Bement High School and is attending Parkland College to become a registered nurse.

This scholarship can provide up to full tuition, housing, and books, and in return, the scholars will provide a service commitment to Kirby Medical Center upon earning their degree.

Andrew Buffenbarger, Chief Compliance Officer of Kirby Medical Center, says, “TheKirby Healthcare Scholarship removes the cost barrier to education and incentivizes local students to pursue health care careers. This full-ride scholarship also connects local students to their community through a service commitment that brings them back to Monticello after they graduate from college to care for their community.”

The Healthcare Scholarship Program is funded through income received from farmland donations and contributions to The Kirby Foundation in support of the scholarships. This is the second year scholarships have been awarded.

“The Kirby Foundation is committed to investing in our future generation of healthcare professionals and bringing them back to their home communities to provide compassionate care. This scholarship program helps create a meaningful impact for these recipients, their families, and our communities and we’re grateful for those that support us in this effort” says Sarah Ross, Director of Development.

More Information

For questions related to the scholarship, contact Sarah Ross at The Kirby Foundation at 217-762-1509, or Andrew Buffenbarger at Kirby Medical Center at 217-762-1506.