University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Community Hospitals in Carson City, Charlotte, Ionia and St. Johns have awarded the UM Health-Sparrow Health Care Scholarship to 23 area high school students in support of their pursuit of higher education in health-related fields.
Each recipient received a $1,000 scholarship to help achieve their academic and career goals. UM Health-Sparrow hopes these students from Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Ionia and Montcalm counties will one day contribute to providing high-quality, compassionate, close-to-home care and consider future career opportunities with the organization.
The funds for these scholarships have been generously donated by benefactors of UM Health-Sparrow, including the Merten and Geraldine Whyman Health Careers Scholarship Endowment Fund — established in 1986 for Clinton County students pursuing health-related curriculums — and the Clinton Physician Impact Fund, dedicated to advancing students in the Clinton County area.
The 2026 UM Health-Sparrow Health Care Scholarship recipients, with their planned areas of study and colleges, are:
- Alexia Bengel, Westphalia, Occupational Therapy, Saginaw Valley State University.
- Braelyn Bunting, Stanton, Biomedical Sciences, undecided on which college to attend.
- Amyia Cash, Lakeview, Athletic Training, Central Michigan University.
- Kalyn Duflo, Middleton, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Lansing Community College.
- Ava Haas, Charlotte, Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Allied Health Sciences, Ferris State University.
- Rima Hafez, Lansing, Neurosciences, Michigan State University.
- Reese Houghton, Belding, Kinesiology, Michigan State University.
- Nolan Koenigsknecht, St. Johns, Exercise Science, Mid-Michigan Community College.
- Izabelle LaLone, Ithaca, Nursing, Ferris State University.
- Noah McLaughlin, Lansing, Exercise Science, Grand Valley State University.
- Aiden Nurenberg, Sunfield, Nursing, Grand Valley State University.
- Chloey Page, Portland, Nursing, Lansing Community College.
- Samantha Powers, Grand Ledge, Nursing, Wayne State University.
- Emma Rohrs, Ithaca, Exercise Science, Hope College.
- Kaylee Schmid, Ionia, Biology, Health and Society, University of Michigan.
- Bailey Strpko, Eaton Rapids, Nursing, Grand Valley State University.
- Selena Stump, Fowler, Nursing, Central Michigan University.
- Jaxxon Thelen, Lyons, Healthcare Administration, Central Michigan University.
- Carleigh Thompson, Ionia, Neurosciences, Michigan State University.
- Julia Weber, Westphalia, Nursing, Saginaw Valley State University.
The 2026 UM Health-Sparrow Clinton Physician Impact Fund Award recipients are:
- Brady Heibeck, St. Johns, Nursing, Michigan State University.
- Nic Hiner, St. Johns, Engineering, Michigan Technological University.
- Brooke Thelen, St. Johns, Optometry, Ferris State University.
For more information on UM Health-Sparrow Health Care Scholarships, go to https://www.UofMHealthSparrow.org/Scholarships.
