CHEROKEE REGIONAL ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Every spring, Cherokee Regional Medical Center, the Cherokee Regional Medical Center Foundation, and the Cherokee Regional Medical Center Auxiliary each give scholarships to area high school seniors who are interested in pursuing a career in health care. There were many outstanding applicants from the graduating class of 2026, so a total of 34 scholarships were awarded. In addition, the Cherokee Regional Medical Center Foundation awarded a scholarship to a Cherokee Regional employee who is continuing their education. The Cherokee County Suicide Prevention Coalition also awarded two scholarships to local seniors who have been affected by suicide.
Cherokee Regional John M. Comstock Scholarship
The recipient of the 2026 Cherokee Regional John M. Comstock Scholarship was Reese Farquhar of South O’Brien High School. She is the daughter of Ryan and Heidi Farquhar. Reese plans to attend South Dakota State University and major in Pharmacy.
Cherokee Regional Kenneth Hobson Memorial Scholarships
The first 2026 Cherokee Regional Kenneth Hobson Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Lola Christensen of Cherokee Washington High School. She is the daughter of Chris and Amanda Christensen. Lola plans to attend the University of Iowa to study pre-podiatry.
The second 2026 Cherokee Regional Kenneth Hobson Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Parker Glassmaker of MMCRU High School. He is the son of Jake and Nicki Glassmaker. Parker has been accepted into the Air Force Academy and will undertake studies within a medical tract.
The third 2026 Cherokee Regional Kenneth Hobson Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Eva Kaskey of Alta- Aurelia High School. She is the daughter of Michael and Jennifer Kaskey. Eva plans to attend Iowa State University and major in kinesiology and pre-physical therapy.
Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarships
The first 2026 Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarship was awarded to Sigrid Adams of Sioux Central High School. She is the daughter of Troy Adams. Sigrid plans to attend Cornell College to study pre-physical therapy.
The second 2026 Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarship was awarded to Wyatt Alesch of MMCRU High School. He is the son of Gerry and Lisa Alesch. Wyatt plans to attend DMACC and then Mercy College to become a Physical Therapy Assistant.
The third 2026 Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarship was awarded to Ashlee Anderson of Sioux Central High School. She is the daughter of Jeff Anderson and Sarah Anderson. Ashlee plans to attend the University of Northern Iowa to study Medical Laboratory Science.
The fourth 2026 Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarship was awarded to Ava Bouchard of Cherokee Washington High School. She is the daughter of Cory and Maria Bouchard. Ava plans to attend a 4-year college to major in nursing.
The fifth 2026 Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarship was awarded to Jayden Bush of Alta-Aurelia High School. She is the daughter of Aaron Bush and Makayla Bush. Jayden plans to attend the University of Iowa.
The sixth 2026 Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarship was awarded to Nora Christian of Sioux Central High School. She is the daughter of Paul and Angela Christian. Nora plans to attend Iowa State University to study pre-med and biochemistry and then go to medical school at the University of Iowa.
The seventh 2026 Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarship was awarded to Lindsey Einck of South O’Brien High School. She is the daughter of Troy Einck and Heather Einck. Lindsey plans to attend Iowa State University.
The eighth 2026 Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarship was awarded to Elise Erlandson of Cherokee Washington High School. She is the daughter of Jared & Natalie Barkley and Dr. Jerold and Angela Erlandson. Elise plans to attend the University of South Dakota to major in nursing.
The ninth 2026 Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarship was awarded to Macy Gravenish of Cherokee Washington High School. She is the daughter of Scot & Christa Gravenish. Macy plans to go to college to study physical therapy.
The 10th 2026 Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarship was awarded to Madeline Griffin of Cherokee Washington High School. She is the daughter of Brad and Jennifer Griffin. Madeline plans to attend the University of Iowa to major in exercise science then attend physical therapy school.
The 11th 2026 Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarship was awarded to Raegan Hill of MMCRU High School. She is the daughter of Zach & Shanon Hill and Malori Hudelson. Raegan plans to attend DMACC to study nursing.
The 12th 2026 Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarship was awarded to Kalexis Hyndman of Cherokee Washington High School. She is the daughter of Ginnia Hyndman. Kalexis plans to attend the College of Saint Mary to major in nursing and then go on to become a Nurse Practitioner specializing in dermatology.
The 13th 2026 Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarship was awarded to Lillian Kohn of Cherokee Washington High School. She is the daughter of Melissa Richter and Thomas Kohn. Lillian plans to attend the University of Northern Iowa for nursing.
The 14th 2026 Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarship was awarded to Grace Woodall of Cherokee Washington High School. She is the daughter of Jerry and Kathy Woodall. Grace plans to attend Iowa State University to major in kinesiology and health and then attend Chiropractic school.
The 15th 2026 Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarship was awarded to Allison Ehlers of Sioux Central High School. Allison is the daughter of Mike and Michelle Ehlers. She plans to attend Dordt University in Sioux Center to major in nursing and earn her BSN.
The 16th 2026 Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarship was awarded to Kaylee Mattson of Alta-Aurelia High School. She is the daughter of Brian and Monica Mattson. Kaylee plans to attend the University of South Dakota to major in communication sciences and disorders, then earn a master’s degree in speech language pathology.
The 17th 2026 Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarship was awarded to Cully Mizner-Funderman of Cherokee Washington High School. He is the son of Ashley Mizner Bruce. Cully plans to attend the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse to major in kinesiology then attend physical therapy school.
The 18th 2026 Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarship was awarded to Abryl Mongan of Cherokee Washington High School. She is the daughter of Dan and Casey Mongan. Abryl plans to attend Southeast Technical College to major in diagnostic sonography.
The 19th 2026 Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarship was awarded to Sophia Patterson of Cherokee Washington High School. She is the daughter of Nick and Kristin Patterson. Sophia plans to attend Western Iowa Tech or Dordt University to study nursing.
The 20th 2026 Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarship was awarded to Addison Schubert of Cherokee Washington High School. She is the daughter of Matt and Julie Schubert. Addison plans to attend Hawkeye Community College to become a Physical Therapy Assistant.
The 21st 2026 Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarship was awarded to Karlee Shever of River Valley High School. She is the daughter of Kenneth Shever and Kelly Shever. Karlee plans to attend Northwestern College to major in biology health professions with aspirations to become a biomedical scientist.
The 22nd 2026 Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarship was awarded to Landan Stowater of Cherokee Washington High School. He is the son of Ryan and Kasey Stowater. Landan plans to attend Mount Marty University to major in exercise science and then attend physical therapy school.
The 23rd 2026 Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarship was awarded Kelsee Warnke of South O’Brien High School. She is the daughter of Mike and Adrian Warnke. Kelsee plans to attend South Dakota State University to study pharmacy.
The 24th 2026 Cherokee Regional Medical Center Scholarship was awarded to Avery Westphal of Alta-Aurelia High School. She is the daughter of Nate & Kate Westphal. Avery plans to attend the University of South Dakota to major in biology and then attend physical therapy school.
Cherokee Regional Foundation Scholarships
The first 2026 Cherokee Regional Foundation Scholarship was awarded to Lana Busse of Cherokee Washington High School. She is the daughter of Damon and Jessica Busse. Lana plans to attend the College of Saint Mary in Omaha to pursue a BSN in nursing.
The second 2026 Cherokee Regional Foundation Scholarship was awarded to Addyson Dausel of River Valley High School. She is the daughter of Kory and Erin Dausel. Addyson plans to attend the University of South Dakota to major in kinesiology, then continue her education to become an occupational therapist.
The third 2026 Cherokee Regional Foundation Scholarship was awarded to McKayla Mallison of Cherokee Washington High School. She is the daughter of Justin and Tonya Mallison. McKayla plans to attend Iowa Central Community College to become a Laboratory Technician.
Cherokee Regional Foundation Employee Scholarships
The Cherokee Regional Medical Center Foundation also awards $1,500 Scholarships annually to help a qualified employee continue their education in an area that can be utilized to enhance their career at Cherokee Regional.
This year one very deserving individual was awarded a scholarship. This year’s scholarship winner is Shanon Hill, RN. She is currently finishing her bachelor’s in nursing and then plans to continue her education to become Nurse Practitioner.
Cherokee Regional Auxiliary Scholarships
The first 2026 Cherokee Regional Auxiliary Scholarship was awarded to Emily Sanchez Platero of Alta-Aurelia High School. She is the daughter of Sandra Platero Flores and Ariel Sanchez. Emily plans to attend Buena Vista University with a career goal of becoming a pediatrician.
The second 2026 Cherokee Regional Auxiliary Scholarship was awarded to Caitlin Wildeman of Sioux Central High School. She is the daughter of Chris and Wendy Wildeman. Caitlin plans to attend Morningside University with a career goal of becoming a psychiatrist practicing in rural Iowa.
Iowa Hospital Education and Research Foundation (IHERF) Scholarship
Since 2005, the Iowa Hospital Association has supported the Health Care Careers Scholarship Program through the Iowa Hospital Education and Research Foundation (IHERF), an IHA subsidiary. Since the program’s inception, IHERF has supported higher education for more than 700 Iowa college students. This year, we are happy to announce that a 2026 IHERF Scholarship has been awarded to Destiny Gunsolly of MMCRU High School.
Congratulations to all of the Cherokee Regional scholarship recipients. We wish them the best in their future endeavors.
ABOUT CHEROKEE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
A leader in rural healthcare for over 100 years, Cherokee Regional Medical Center (Cherokee Regional) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit health care organization with a mission to provide seamless, quality health care services to its communities. Services include a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital; 24-hour Emergency Medical Services; Ambulance services; regional medical clinics in Cherokee, Aurelia, Holstein, Marcus, Sutherland, and Primghar; The Beck, a 32-unit independent senior living complex; Cherokee Regional Home Health; Cherokee Regional Hospice; retail pharmacies in Cherokee and Holstein; Cherokee County Public Health; the Cherokee Fitness Center; and Heartland Care Center. Cherokee Regional is your place for exceptional care. For more information, visit www.cherokeermc.org.
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