The Foundation for Community Care is pleased to announce the first Josh King Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship program was established to help provide Richland County residents continued access to quality healthcare professionals, and highly trained emergency personnel.
“Many parts of Montana, particularly rural areas like ours, do not have a sufficient number of trained healthcare professionals.” Foundation Executive Director, Gina Heckey said. “The Josh King scholarship helps fund talented and dedicated individuals who want to assist with emergency healthcare services right here—where we have the greatest need”.
2016 is the inaugural year for the Josh King Memorial scholarship specifically for advanced paramedic training. The first award recipient is Bonny Stevens, Ambulance Director at Sidney Health Center. “I am truly grateful to have the opportunity to expand my education to become a paramedic. I am glad I will be able to bring ALS back into the community I have served for the last 9 years,” stated Bonny. In the future, the scholarship will be awarded bi-annually based on need and qualified applicants. To be eligible, applicants must be a resident of Richland County pursuing a career as a Paramedic, and already accepted to a qualified Paramedic training program.
“This is just one more way the Foundation gives back to our community,” said Kristan Haugen, Foundation Board member, and chair of the scholarship committee. “The Foundation for Community Care Scholarships increase the awareness of healthcare & emergency care career choices and cultivates a pool of qualified professionals that want to live and work in our area.” Haugen added.
Bonny has been accepted to the Paramedic program at Bismarck State College. Study begins in the fall and encompasses three semesters (fall, spring, summer) of classroom and hospital clinical/field education. Coursework includes anatomy and physiology, cardiology, pharmacology, patient assessment, airway management, and medical /trauma emergency management in conjunction with hands-on, skill-based training. She will continue to act as Ambulance Director at SHC during her coursework, and, once done with her certification, plans to encourage others to complete the program as well. Bonny concluded, “I hope this will inspire our younger EMT’s to further their education and become a paramedic as well. I love being a part of the Richland County Ambulance Service, and I am so grateful to all those who are supporting me in my journey to become a paramedic.”
To donate to the Foundation’s Josh King Memorial Scholarship Fund, contact the staff at (406) 488-2273 or send your contribution to 221 2nd St. NW, Sidney, MT 59270. Memorial gifts may also be given to the Josh King Scholarship Fund. For more information please go to http://www.foundationforcommunitycare.org.
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