Nine Future Healthcare Professionals Honored with Rivers Health Scholarships

by | Jul 21, 2026 | News, Rivers Health Foundation, Rivers Health Scholarship Foundaton

MHN Foundations recognized nine students pursuing healthcare careers during its annual Rivers Health Scholarship Foundation reception held July 16, 2026, at the Riverside Golf Clubhouse, celebrating the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Scholarship recipients for the 2025-2026 academic year include Ellie Andrick, Jordan Blaine, Savannah Decker, Callie Hall, Addysen Lewis, Emma Northup, Havin Roush, Lyndee Taylor and Cohen Yates.

In addition to receiving a Rivers Health Scholarship Foundation award, Yates was named the recipient of the Vitus Hartley Jr. Scholarship, a distinguished scholarship established in honor of the Foundation’s founder and presented annually to one student pursuing a healthcare career.

Lifelong Point Pleasant resident and Rivers Health director of quality and risk management, Karen Meadows, served as the keynote speaker, encouraging this year’s recipients to build their careers serving the communities they grew up in. Karen is a previous Vitus Hartley Jr. Scholarship recipient.

“These scholarships represent far more than financial assistance—they are an investment in the future of healthcare across our region,” said Matt James, vice president of foundations for Marshall Health Network. “By supporting students who are passionate about serving others, we’re helping develop the next generation of healthcare professionals while strengthening the communities we serve. We are incredibly proud of this year’s recipients and look forward to seeing the impact they will make.”

The Rivers Health Scholarship Foundation provides financial assistance to students from Mason County, West Virginia, and Gallia and Meigs counties in Ohio who are pursuing careers in healthcare. Since its establishment in the late 1980s, the Foundation has awarded more than $980,000 in scholarships to more than 230 students, helping many return to the region to provide care for future generations.

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