Lock Haven Hospital Auxiliary Awards Scholarships to Future Healthcare Professionals
Lock Haven, PA – The Lock Haven Hospital Auxiliary has announced the awarding of its final scholarships, marking an important milestone in its decades-long commitment to supporting local students pursuing careers in healthcare. Founded in the early 1960s alongside the opening of the new Lock Haven Hospital on Cree Drive, the Auxiliary has played a vital role in fundraising and community assistance through various initiatives, including the operation of the hospital’s gift shop.
This year, the Auxiliary awarded three distinguished graduates from Central Mountain High School each a scholarship of ,000. These scholarships have traditionally been provided to encourage young individuals to enter the healthcare field, exemplifying the Auxiliary’s dedication to both education and community health. Given the depletion of financial resources within the Auxiliary, the 2023 recipients will be among the last to receive this form of assistance.
The awardees are Grace Wible, Ellen Banfill, and Reagan Narehood, each of whom will take significant steps toward their healthcare careers. Grace Wible, the daughter of Jeremy and Nichole Wible, plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at West Chester University. Ellen Banfill, the daughter of Gerard and Ann Banfill, will enroll at Pennsylvania College of Technology, where she aims to study to become a Physical Therapy Assistant. Additionally, Reagan Narehood, daughter of Robert and Ashley Narehood, is set to join Penn State University in its Pre-Med program, aspiring to become a medical doctor.
The scholarships were awarded in memory of Susanna Counsil, a longtime Operating Room (OR) nurse at Lock Haven Hospital and a dedicated member of the Auxiliary. Counsil’s legacy serves as an inspiration to the scholarship recipients and acknowledges the important contributions of healthcare professionals in the community.
The dissolution of this scholarship program highlights the challenges facing many nonprofit organizations in sustaining funding for educational initiatives. As healthcare continues to evolve, the need for qualified professionals remains critical, prompting concerns about how such programs can adapt and thrive. Local stakeholders are encouraged to explore new avenues for funding and support, ensuring future generations possess the necessary resources to enter the healthcare workforce.
The contributions of the Lock Haven Hospital Auxiliary over the past several decades have left a lasting impact on the community, and as these scholarship recipients embark on their educational journeys, they carry with them the spirit of mentorship and community service that has been the cornerstone of the Auxiliary’s mission.
