Spectrum Health Lakeland Foundation Awards Top $100K

For more than a quarter century, Spectrum Health Lakeland Foundation has been awarding scholarships and grants in the region, and with more than $101,000 being awarded this year they have now topped $1.5-million since the beginning.

Through the Allied Health Careers Scholarship program, Spectrum Health Lakeland Foundation has 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 this year. Meanwhile, another $54,000 will be awarded in department grants to support continuing education opportunities for Lakeland team members.

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

Brandi Smith, Vice President of Philanthropy and President, Spectrum Health Lakeland Foundation, says, “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.” She adds, “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. She is shown in the photo above.

Lakeland team members and area students who received scholarships through the Spectrum Health Lakeland Foundation include:

Benton Harbor

Chloe Kalinas, Whirlpool Foundation Nursing Scholarship
Jenna Wyant, Bill & Golda Madison Memorial Allied Health Careers Scholarship

Berrien Center

Roberta Armstrong, The James W. Tiscornia Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Stacey Layman, Frederick S. Upton Memorial Nursing Scholarship

Berrien Springs

Klarissa Burch, Lakeland Health Auxiliary Pawating Volunteer Scholarship
Amanda Marsh, MD, John Proos, MD Memorial Scholarship
Alexandra Soos, The Walter B. Laetz Memorial Allied Health Careers Scholarship
Shelley Thibeault, The Victor Palenske Memorial Allied Health Careers Scholarship

Coloma

Tiana Green, The G. Clemens Theisen Memorial Allied Health Careers Scholarship

Dowagiac

Keara Rankin, Muriel Huizenga Memorial Allied Health Careers Scholarship Endowment Fund

Galien

Emma Lozmack, Lakeland Health Auxiliary Pawating Volunteer Scholarship

Hartford

Jessica Cardoso, Community Hospital Foundation Scholarship
Joel Soto, Lakeland Hospital Watervliet Auxiliary Scholarship

Kalamazoo

Haley Thibeault, Lakeland Family Scholarship

Lawton

Hannah Helton, Brian Parker Memorial Foundation Scholarship

Niles

Hannah Albright, Niles College Scholarship
Jessica Blank, Niles College Scholarship
Tyler Clutter, Growth and Achievement Scholarship
Sean Gurley, Frederick S. Upton Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Kennan Janowski, Lakeland Health Auxiliary Berrien General Volunteer Scholarship

Sawyer