LANSING, Mich. – 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.