The Volunteers of Prairie Ridge Health and the Prairie Ridge Health Foundation have distributed $25,900 in scholarships for 2025 to support students and healthcare workers pursuing careers in healthcare.
High school seniors from the hospital’s service area received the Volunteers of PRH Healthcare Careers Scholarships. These awards are intended for those entering two-year or four-year accredited programs in healthcare fields. Recipients include Elijah Achterberg (Physical Therapy), Karlee Baugher (Microbiology/Genetics), Lillian Gomez (Nursing), Isabel Hurley (Microbiology), Lillian Llontop (Nursing), Broc Mullenbach (Physical Therapy), Emmy Novak (Radiologic Science), Alexa Schultz (Kinesiology/Exercise Science), Jonavan Song (Nursing), Caleb Stadler (Nursing), and Rianna Wiersma (Communication & Science Disorders). Award amounts ranged from $500 to $1,000.
The Fredrick A. & Nina I. Stare Memorial Nursing Scholarship, administered by the PRH Foundation, was awarded to Columbus High School seniors planning to become Registered Nurses in medical or public health fields. This year’s recipients are Katarina Hart, Jovita Pasillas, and Caleb Stadler, each receiving $4,000.
The Amanda Murphy Memorial Scholarship honors an ER nurse at Prairie Ridge Health who died due to COVID-19. The scholarship is given to dependents of PRH team members aspiring to enter healthcare professions. This year’s recipients are Ashley Batz (Social Work, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee), Calla Hansen (Nursing, University of Wisconsin–Green Bay), Broc Mullenbach (Physical Therapy, UW-La Crosse), and Ayden Price (Exercise Science, Edgewood College). Each recipient received $1,000.
Additionally, the Ruth Kohlwey Memorial Scholarship supports PRH team members advancing their nursing education. Olivia Nieman from Herzing University received this award for 2025 with a scholarship amount of $400.
“Congratulations to the scholarship recipients and thank you to all of the applicants for the 2025 scholarships. Your commitment to making a difference in the lives of others inspires us all, and we can’t wait to see the positive impact you’ll bring to the world of medicine.”
