The Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA) Foundation has announced over $100,000 in scholarships to 74 Iowans pursuing a health career specialized in long-term care, including five from the listening area. Over 200 applications were received for this year’s scholarships and applicants were evaluated by IHCA Foundation Board of Directors and selected based on experience, recommendations, and future plans for education and careers in long-term care. Three $1,500 scholarships were awarded for the IHCA Member Employee Scholarship: Emma Meyers with Accura Healthcare of Lake City, Paige Pothoff with Regency Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Carroll, and Abigail Riley with Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids. Two MolinaCares High School Scholarships for $2,000 went to Ally Lundell from OABCIG High Schools and Ella Shannon of Manson Northwest Webster High School, both actively pursuing degrees in the healthcare field. A Care Initiatives Director of Nursing (DON) Scholarship was awarded to Tawnya Larsen with Panora Specialty Care for assistance in pursuing the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) Director of Nursing Services-Certified (DNS-CT) certification. IHCA Foundation Program Director Natalie Thompson says “As Iowa’s senior population continues to grow and the need for long-term care services rises, the IHCA Foundation is committed to training skilled, compassionate professionals to meet these needs. Our 2025 scholarship initiatives, generously made possible by donors, aim to support driven individuals in building their careers in long-term care. The overwhelming response from applicants is truly inspiring, and we applaud this year’s recipients for their dedication to this essential field. Their contributions are invaluable, and we are excited to see the positive difference they will make in countless lives.” A list of all Iowa recipients can be found included below.
IHCA Member Employee Scholarship Recipients
1. Stacey Apodaca, Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center – Klein Center
2. Shelby Archer, Bethany Lutheran Health Services
3. Amanda Becker, Stonehill Communities
4. Olivia Bell, Terrace Glen Village
5. Maren Buckingham, Westview Acres Care Center
6. Eliana Cangro, Accura Healthcare of Muscatine
7. Teresa Clark, Prairie Vista Village
8. Sabine Deka, Deerfield Community
9. Hailey Dirksen, Bickford Cottage of Sioux City
10. Elizabeth Farley, Silvercrest Garner Farms Senior Living
11. Felicia Gonzalez, Homestead of Oskaloosa
12. Indee Grassley, Western Home Communities
13. Brianna Henning, Solon Retirement Village
14. Taia Hillhouse, Chautauqua Guest Homes
15. Ashley Hoffman, Lake Mills Care Center
16. Luca Knoblock, Fellowship Village
17. Madison Koehn, English Valley Care Center
18. Rachel Leuschen, Great River Health Systems (Klein Center)
19. Sydnee Lindeman, Forest Plaza Assisted Living
20. Hannah Lunning, Good Shepherd Health Center
21. Emma Myers, Accura Healthcare of Lake City
22. Mary Sarah Nakimera, Bethany Home Retirement Community
23. Naomi Urielle Ndome Ngueng, Immanuel Pathways of Central Iowa
24. Abigail Nelson, St. Luke Lutheran Nursing Home
25. Kelly Olson, River Bend Retirement Community
26. Marie Patouma, Green Hills Retirement Community
27. Paige Pothoff, Regency Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Carroll
28. Abigail Riley, Thomas Rest Haven
29. Ella Scheitler, Landsmeer Ridge Retirement Community
30. Saige Smith, Community Care Center, Inc.
31. Breanna Streeter, Westhaven Community
32. Vanessa Vega, Davenport Lutheran Home
33. Kassie Wyatt, Humboldt County Memorial Hospital
34. Morgan Zuck, Buchanan County Health Center
John W. & Kimberly D. Grubb Registered Nurse (RN) Scholarship Recipients
1. Kirsten Albright, Pleasantview
2. Aubree Arthur, St. Francis Manor
3. Erin Helmich, St. Luke Lutheran Nursing Home
4. NataLeigh Herron, Granger Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
5. Rachel Holdridge, Stonehill Communities
6. Chanda Jensen, Boyson Heights Senior Living
7. Brandy Watson, Karen Acres Health Care Center
8. Adelle Wolfswinkel, Prairie View Home Inn
John W. & Kimberly D. Grubb Registered Nurse (RN) Endowment Fund Scholarship Recipient
1. Filmawit Okubay, The Bridges at Ankeny
MolinaCares High School Scholarship Recipients
1. Ana Cortes, Beckman Catholic High School
2. Alyssa Eckhardt, Midland Community High School
3. Anyeli Garcia Martinez, East High School
4. Khamil Jebsen, Maquoketa High School
5. Gracie Knobloch, Hartley Melvern Sanborn
6. Ally Lundell, OABCIG High School
7. Alannah McKibben, Iowa Valley High School
8. Addyson Schreck, Central Decatur High School
9. Ella Shannon, Manson Northwest Webster High School
Care Initiatives Director of Nursing (DON) Leadership Scholarship Recipients
1. Katie Candia, West Ridge Care Center
2. Kelli Gustafson, Dunlap Specialty Care
3. Chelsi Isley, Via of Carlisle
4. Ashley Jackson, On With Life
5. Jillian Kueter, Mill Valley Care Center
6. Tawnya Larsen, Panora Specialty Care
7. Reese Miller, Lyon Specialty Care
Care Initiatives New Director of Nursing (DON) Scholarship Recipients
1. Heather Aguilera, Prairie Vista Village
2. Tiffany Graves, Clarence Senior Living
3. Stephanie Robinson, On With Life
4. Jaime Sudtelgte, Accura Healthcare of Sioux City
5. Lindsey Thorson, Nora Springs Care Center
6. Stacy Willard, Humboldt County Memorial Hospital LTC
Iowa Total Care Executive Health Care Leadership Institute Recipients
1. Ashley Eischeid, Bethany Life
2. Joseph Herst, Via of Des Moines (Fleur Heights)
3. Alyssa Poland, Kennybrook Village
4. Megan Rinner, Corning Specialty Care
5. Katie Seydel, Green Hills Retirement Community
6. Audrey Swanson, Luther Park Community
7. Jordan Tjaden, Midlands Living Center
8. Jessica Wagner, Homestead of Algona
9. Tyler Whitcanack, Good Samaritan Society – Le Mars
