Scholarships

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Pender Community Hospital District is proud to offer and award different scholarships to students within the community who are choosing to further their education in a variety of health-related fields. The scholarships available include: 

  • Merlin Brondum Memorial Scholarship – $2,500 awarded to students accepted into a medical field of study
  • Gloria Vollers Nursing Scholarship – $2,000 awarded to students accepting into a nursing program
  • Trisha Kinnaman Scholarship – $1,000 awarded to students in a therapy related program
  • Justin J. Slama Memorial Scholarship – $1,000 awarded to students in a pre-health science course of study

These scholarships were established to memorialize past employees who dedicated themselves to serving patients of PCHD. To learn more or to apply for a scholarship, click on their links below. If you have a question, please contact us at 402-385-3083 or info@pchne.org

Please note, the application deadline for each scholarship is May 15th of each calendar year. 

Available Scholarships

Merlin Brondum Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship Overview
The Merlin Brondum Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Merlin Brondum who worked at Pender Community Hospital for 27 years, most of which were as the Director of the Laboratory. Merlin passed away on March 15, 2003 after a brief illness at the age of 49. He was a dedicated professional best remembered by the PCH staff as a devoted friend and family member.

Merlin was also extremely dedicated to rural health care, which is the main reason this $2,500 scholarship is given in his name to a deserving a college student who has been accepted or enrolled into an allied healthcare course of study. Examples include schools of Nursing, Medical Technology, Radiographic Technology, Physical Therapy and Pharmacy. 

Scholarship Criteria
Criteria that will be considered include academic performance, interest in pursuing a rural healthcare career, enrollment in an allied healthcare profession, school and community activities and financial need.

Academic Performance: 25%
Healthcare Experience: 25%
Financial Need: 20%
Career Objective in Health as it Benefits Rural Areas: 20%
Community Activities: 10%
Total: 100%

Allied Health Profession Examples:
(Please Note: YOU MUST PROVIDE A COPY OF THE LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE INTO THE ALLIED HEALTH PROGRAM.)

  • Nursing
  • Medical Technology
  • Radiographic Technology
  • Ultrasonography
  • Physical Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Speech Therapy
  • Pharmacy

The Application Process
Before submitting the online application for this scholarship, please read the following information on the application process. Make certain you are able to meet and complete the following qualifications. Then click on the online application link, located below.

  • The applicant must be a resident of Thurston, Cuming, Burt, Dixon, Dakota or Wayne Counties.
  • The applicant must be enrolled in an allied healthcare course of study. Examples include schools of Nursing, Medical Technology, Radiographic Technology, Physical Therapy and Pharmacy.
  • The applicant must have graduated from high school and have completed 30 hours of college credit. Eligibility for scholarship assistance is extended to both traditional and non-traditional students. 
  • The scholarship application must be completed online. 
  • A copy of the acceptance letter or notification of acceptance into an allied healthcare course of study (Examples include schools of Nursing, Medical Technology, Radiographic Technology, Physical Therapy and Pharmacy), and a copy of your college transcript should be sent to:

    Merlin Brondum Memorial Scholarship
    Pender Community Hospital100 Hospital Drive
    PO Box 100
    Pender, NE 68047
  • A committee that includes representatives from Pender Community Hospital and Medical Clinics, Pender Community Health Care Foundation, and the Hospital Auxiliary will make the scholarship selection and announce their selection in June. 
  • The Merlin Brondum Memorial Scholarship will be $2,500.
  • Scholarships will be awarded without regard to age, race, creed, religion, national origin, gender, or physical disability.

Online Application
Applications are due May 15th of each calendar year. If you need a form mailed, or have any questions, please contact us at 402-385-3083 or info@pchne.org.

Gloria Vollers Nursing Scholarship

Scholarship Overview
The Gloria Vollers Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually, starting in 2007, thanks to a generous donation by Dr. Cyrus Beye of Yankton, South Dakota. Dr. Beye was a general surgeon who traveled to Pender Community Hospital from 1959 to 1981 from Sioux City, Iowa. 

While in Pender, he had many fond memories of working with Gloria Vollers, RN. He found her compassion and dedication to nursing an inspiration and wanted to honor her memory through a community gift. Gloria, a registered nurse, worked at Pender Community Hospital for over 30 years as a staff nurse, Surgery Supervisor, and Director of Nursing. She is remembered and admired for her leadership, caring spirit, and professionalism.

The $2,000 academic scholarship is awarded through an endowment established through the Pender Community Health Care Foundation in Gloria’s name to a student who has been accepted into a registered nursing program of study. 

Scholarship Criteria 
Criteria that will be considered include academic performance, interest in pursuing a rural healthcare career, enrollment in a registered nursing program, school and community activities and financial need.

Academic Performance: 25%
Healthcare Experience: 25%
Financial Need: 20%
Career Objective in Health as it Benefits Rural Areas: 20%
Community Activities: 10%
Total: 100%

PLEASE NOTE: YOU MUST PROVIDE A COPY OF THE LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE INTO A REGISTERED NURSING PROGRAM.

The Application Process
Before submitting the online application for this scholarship, please read the following information on the application process. Make certain you are able to meet and complete the following qualifications. Then click on the online application link, located below.

  • The applicant must be a resident of Thurston, Cuming, Burt, Dixon, Dakota or Wayne Counties.
  • The applicant must be enrolled in a registered nursing program. The applicant must have graduated from high school and have completed 30 hours of college credit. Eligibility for scholarship assistance is extended to both traditional and non-traditional students.
  • The scholarship application must be completed online. 
  • A copy of the acceptance letter or notification of acceptance into a registered nursing program and copy of your college transcript should be sent to: 

    Gloria Vollers Memorial Scholarship 
    Pender Community Hospital
    100 Hospital Drive
    PO Box 100
    Pender, NE 68047
  • A committee that includes representatives from Pender Community Hospital and Medical Clinics, Pender Community Health Care Foundation, and the Hospital Auxiliary will make the scholarship selection and announce their selection in June. 
  • The Gloria Vollers Scholarship will be $2,000
  • Scholarships will be awarded without regard to age, race, creed, religion, national origin, gender, or physical disability

Online Application
Applications are due May 15th of each calendar year. If you need a form mailed, or have any questions, please contact us at 402-385-3083 or info@pchne.org.

Trisha Kinnaman Scholarship

Scholarship Overview
The Trisha Kinnaman Scholarship was established to honor Trisha Kinnaman, a Physical Therapist who worked at Pender Community Hospital for 12 years before she passed away on January 10, 2008 at the age of 41. 

Trisha’s passion for physical therapy was seen in the thriving physical therapy department she built, where she was able to hire staff and provide more equipment for treatments. She also served as a mentor for students enrolled in various physical therapy programs and offered her services to area nursing homes and sports clinics while being an active member within the community. 

This $1,000 scholarship awarded in her name will be given to a student accepted into or currently enrolled in a Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Language Pathology program or Physical Therapy Assistant or Occupational Therapy Assistant program.

Scholarship Criteria 
Criteria that will be considered include academic performance, interest in pursuing a rural healthcare career, enrollment in a therapy related program, school and community activities and financial need.

Academic Performance: 25%
Healthcare Experience: 25%
Financial Need: 20%
Career Objective in Health as it Benefits Rural Areas: 20%
Community Activities: 10%
Total: 100%

Therapy Related Program Examples:
(PLEASE NOTE: YOU MUST PROVIDE A COPY OF THE LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE INTO THE ALLIED HEALTH PROGRAM)

  • Physical Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Speech Language Pathology
  • Physical Therapy Assistant
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant

The Application Process
Before submitting the online application for this scholarship, please read the following information on the application process. Make certain you are able to meet and complete the following qualifications. Then click on the online application link, located below.

  • The applicant must be a resident of Thurston, Cuming, Burt, Dixon, Dakota or Wayne Counties. 
  • The applicant must be enrolled in a therapy related program. Examples include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, physical therapy assistant, and occupational therapy assistant. 
  • The applicant must have graduated from high school and have completed 30 hours of college credit. Eligibility for scholarship assistance is extended to both traditional and non-traditional students.
  • The scholarship application must be completed online. 
  • A copy of the acceptance letter, notification of acceptance, or verification that you are currently enrolled in a therapy related program  and college transcript should be sent to:

    Trisha Kinnaman Memorial Scholarship 
    Pender Community Hospital
    100 Hospital Drive
    PO Box 100
    Pender, NE 68047
  • A committee that includes representatives from Pender Community Hospital and Medical Clinics, Pender Community Health Care Foundation, and the Hospital Auxiliary will make the scholarship selection and announce their selection in June. 
  • The Trisha Kinnaman Scholarship will be $1,000
  • Scholarships will be awarded without regard to age, race, creed, religion, national origin, gender, or physical disability

Online Application
Applications are due May 15th of each calendar year. If you need a form mailed, or have any questions, please contact us at 402-385-3083 or info@pchne.org.

Justin J. Slama Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship Overview 
A scholarship has been established in memory of Justin J. Slama who was a young man that impacted many lives, both young and old. He was always looking to help others and could always be seen with a smile on his face.  

This $1,000 scholarship is awarded in Justin J. Slama’s name and is given to an individual enrolled in a pre-health science course of study, pursuing a degree in medicine with a focus on rural healthcare. This includes courses to prepare for admission into health professional programs such as medical, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry and training as a physician assistant or nurse practitioner. 

Scholarship Criteria 
Criteria that will be considered include academic performance, interest in pursuing a rural healthcare career, enrollment in a school of medicine program, college and community activities and financial need.

Academic Performance: 25%
Healthcare Experience: 25%
Financial Need: 20%
Career Objective in Health as it Benefits Rural Areas: 20%
Community Activities: 10%
Total: 100%

Pre-Health Field of Study Examples:
(PLEASE NOTE: YOU MUST PROVIDE A COPY OF THE LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE INTO THE ALLIED HEALTH PROGRAM)

  • Medical
  • Dentistry
  • Pharmacy
  • Optometry
  • Physician Assistant
  • Nurse Practitioner 

The Application Process
Before submitting the online application for this scholarship, please read the following information on the application process. Make certain you are able to meet and complete the following qualifications. Then click on the online application link, located below.

  • The applicant must be a resident of Thurston, Cuming, Burt, Dixon, Dakota or Wayne Counties.
  • The applicant must be enrolled in a pre-health field of study. Examples include studies of medical, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, physician assistant or nurse practitioner.
  • The applicant must have graduated from high school and have completed 30 hours of college credit. Eligibility for scholarship assistance is extended to both traditional and non-traditional students.
  • The deadline for completing and submitting the application and associated paperwork is May 15th.
  • The scholarship application must be completed online. 
  • A copy of the acceptance letter or notification of acceptance into an pre-health field of study and a copy of your college transcript should be sent to:

    Justin J. Slama Memorial Scholarship
    Pender Community Hospital
    100 Hospital Drive
    PO Box 100
    Pender, NE 68047
  • A committee that includes representatives from Pender Community Hospital and Medical Clinics, Pender Community Health Care Foundation, and the Hospital Auxiliary will make the scholarship selection and announce their selection in June. 
  • The Justin J. Slama Memorial Scholarship will be $1,000.
  • Scholarships will be awarded without regard to age, race, creed, religion, national origin, gender, or physical disability.

Online Application
Applications are due May 15th of each calendar year. If you need a form mailed, or have any questions, please contact us at 402-385-3083 or info@pchne.org