Mahaska Health Partnership Registered Nurse Summer West Receives IHERF Scholarship
MHP Registered Nurse Summer West is presented a $3,500 IHERF scholarship by CEO Jay Christensen and Chief Nursing Officer Darlene Keuning. Summer is a nurse on Inpatient Services and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree from William Penn University.
MAHASKA COUNTY – Mahaska Health Partnership’s Summer West, RN, is the recipient of a $3,500 scholarship from the Iowa Hospital Education and Research Foundation (IHERF).
“This is Summer’s third scholarship awarded this month,” MHP Chief Nursing Officer Darlene Keuning shared. “We’re incredibly proud to have her on our Inpatient staff and appreciate others have recognized her dedication to the nursing profession.”
West’s employment at MHP began in May 2015, the same month she graduated from nursing school. “I always intended to continue with an advanced degree so I decided to start the Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at William Penn University right away,” she explained. “Classes started last August and my director at MHP has been very helpful, working with my schedule so I can attend class one full day per week.”
Obtaining her BSN is a personal goal for West and she is thankful for the many scholarships she has received. “I am paying for school out of my pocket so scholarships like this and others I have received are such a blessing!”
The IHERF scholarship was established in 2004 by the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA) to help encourage quality healthcare personnel to stay in Iowa. The first scholarships were awarded in 2005 and now more than 300 students have benefited from the program.
One stipulation of the IHERF scholarship is that recipients must work at an Iowa hospital for at least one year for each award they receive. “It’s important we continue to build new talent to enter the healthcare field,” Keuning stressed. “This is a great incentive to keep our workforce in Iowa.”
IHA President and CEO Kirk Norris said, “Because of the generosity of Iowa hospital leaders and other supporters of this program, we have presented more than $1 million in scholarships. We are proud to help these high-achieving students fulfill their career goals at Iowa hospitals.”
Although West’s career in nursing is just beginning, she is excited for the future. “The nursing field is so vast. I feel having my BSN will only expand my opportunities for years to come. I love what I’m doing so I’m very excited and appreciate all of the assistance I’ve experienced.
“Everyone at MHP is very supportive which has allowed me to accomplish both my dreams of caring for patients as well as advancing my degree,” West continued.
Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, call 641.672.3240 or visit mahaskahealth.org.
