The Visiting Nurses Foundation on Tuesday announced the recipients of its 2026 scholarship program, awarding a total of $25,000 to local students pursuing careers in health care and related fields.
Since 1990, the Visiting Nurses Foundation’s mission has been to create funding for the education and assistance of home health and hospice patients and their families. Through these scholarships, the foundation continues its commitment to supporting the next generation of compassionate caregivers who will strengthen healthcare in our communities for years to come, the nonprofit stated in a news release.
“Supporting students who have chosen careers centered around care, compassion, and service is one of the most meaningful things we do as a foundation,” said Jacki Jewell, executive director of the Visiting Nurses Foundation. “These students represent the future of health care. Their dedication, resilience and passion for helping others gives us hope and confidence that our communities will continue to be cared for by truly remarkable individuals. We are honored to play a small part in helping them achieve their dreams.”
“I am honored to be a part of supporting the next generation of health care professionals,” said Travis Wentworth, board president of the Visiting Nurses Foundation.
“Being part of the scholarship committee is incredibly meaningful to me, especially as a nurse myself,” shared Cori Fluetsch. “Reading the applicants’ stories and seeing their passion for healthcare was both inspiring and exciting. Supporting future healthcare professionals feels so important because I know firsthand the impact compassionate, dedicated caregivers can have on patients and families.”
“Serving on the scholarship committee for the Visiting Nurses Foundation is incredibly meaningful because it gives me the opportunity to support individuals who are working hard to create a better future for themselves and our community,” said Kim Witham, board secretary. “Hearing the stories of the challenges applicants have overcome, their determination to reach their goals, and the passion they have for giving back is truly inspiring. Whether they are already making an impact during their education or plan to return and serve our community in the future, it is rewarding to be part of helping others succeed and grow.”
The 2026 Visiting Nurses Foundation Scholarship recipients include:
$1,500 scholarship recipients
• Emily Stajduhar – Grand Canyon University – Emily is pursuing a nursing career with the goal of becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist and providing compassionate, patient-centered care to those in need.
• Gwen Spencer – Centralia College – Gwen is pursuing hospice social work with a heartfelt passion for supporting patients and families during life’s most difficult moments.
• Skylie Voie – Arizona State University – Skylie hopes to combine compassion and clinical expertise through a future career as a certified registered nurse anesthetist.
• Giuliana Argeris – Centralia College – Giuliana is passionate about critical care nursing and hopes to continue serving others through advanced nursing and community outreach.
• Alexandra Tracy – Saint Martin's University – Alexandra is dedicated to providing compassionate nursing care with a focus on advocacy, trauma-informed care and supporting vulnerable patients.
• Taylor Iniguez – Centralia College – Taylor is pursuing nursing with the goal of building a meaningful career centered on compassionate care and service to others.
• Samantha Schrader – Saint Martin’s University – Samantha hopes to make a positive impact through compassionate, culturally sensitive nursing care and future healthcare leadership.
• Sophie Skillman – Saint Martin's University or Carroll College – Sophie is pursuing nursing with dreams of becoming an advanced registered nurse practitioner and advocating for patients through high-quality care.
• Emma Stewart – Centralia College – Emma is pursuing a nursing career focused on providing skilled, compassionate care to patients during vulnerable moments in their lives.
• Elizabeth Mittge – Washington State University – Elizabeth plans to build a nursing career rooted in compassion, with long-term goals of becoming a nurse practitioner and serving her community.
$1,000 scholarship recipients
• Eden Hornby – Utah Tech University – Eden is pursuing nursing with hopes of supporting women and families through a future career in labor and delivery care.
• Lisa Todisco – Pacific Lutheran University – Lisa is pursuing nursing to combine compassionate care, leadership and community service in meaningful ways.
• Riley Babka – Centralia College – Riley is committed to becoming a compassionate nurse who builds meaningful connections with patients while providing exceptional care.
• Emerson Nelson – Sumner College – Emerson is pursuing critical care nursing with a passion for lifelong learning and excellence in patient care.
• Wyatt Stroup – Saint Martin's University – Wyatt hopes to use his nursing education to serve vulnerable populations both locally and through future medical missions.
• Lewis Allen – Centralia College – Lewis is pursuing nursing with goals of specializing in emergency and critical care while continuing to advance his education.
• Krysta Hook – Southwestern Oklahoma State University – Krysta is pursuing biomedical sciences with aspirations of becoming a physician assistant dedicated to helping others through compassionate care.
$500 scholarship recipients
• Orion Schroeder – Washington State University – Orion is pursuing a pre-medical pathway with hopes of becoming a physician who makes a lasting impact on the lives of others.
• Asher Adams – Centralia College – Asher is pursuing nursing with plans to provide compassionate orthopedic care and continue growing as a healthcare leader.
• Austyn Laufenberg – Centralia College – Austyn is pursuing nursing because of a strong passion for helping others and making a difference through patient care.
• Piper Quarnstrom – Centralia College – Piper is dedicated to becoming a trusted and compassionate nurse who always strives to provide exceptional care.
• Rafael Mendez – Northwest University – Rafael is pursuing a career in healthcare with hopes of becoming a physician assistant and giving back to his community.
• Berkeley Varick – University of South Carolina – Berkeley is pursuing nursing and midwifery with hopes of improving women’s healthcare and supporting families through compassionate care.
The Visiting Nurses Foundation extends its heartfelt congratulations to all scholarship recipients and wishes them continued success as they pursue careers dedicated to improving the lives of others.
For more information about the Visiting Nurses Foundation and its programs, visit www.visitingnursesfoundation.org.
