Wasilla, Alaska – For the third year in a row, the Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) has dramatically increased the amount it has awarded in academic scholarships. This year, 335 Mat-Su residents will share in a total of $1,711,182 to pursue higher education in the fields of health and human services, and nonprofit management.

“A key strategy in achieving our mission for Mat-Su to become the healthiest borough in the nation is to ensure everyone in our community has access to healthcare,” said MSHF Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Ripley. “Helping our residents pursue the education and training necessary to provide that care helps ensure there is adequate workforce to meet the healthcare needs of a fast-growing community.”

The MSHF offers scholarships in two categories: academic scholarships for students pursuing college degrees with health and human services majors, and vocational scholarships to assist students with the cost of training and certifications for jobs in health and human services fields. Scholarships are awarded based on how well each applicant meets the foundation’s eligibility criteria, including financial need and career choice. This year, the impact of COVID-19 on applicants’ educational journeys and goals was also taken into consideration.

The Mat-Su Health Foundation’s 2020 academic scholarship recipients are listed below, starting with the six Mat-Su Scholars Awards and followed by all other students who received awards:

• • The Annie Demming Scholarship for a current high school student: Kira Fagerstrom
  • The Vivian “Babe” Shaver Scholarship for a behavioral health major: Rebekah Bailey
  • The Ya Ne Dah Ah /K’tl’egh’i Sukdu Scholarship for a graduate-level applicant: Esther Miller
  • The Jessica Stevens Scholarship for a physician assistant major: Kaienne Martin
  • The Darlene Reed Scholarship for a nursing major: Angela Goss
  • The George V. Larson, III Scholarship for a hospital administration or nonprofit management major: Steven Duncan

Applications for MSHF academic scholarships will be accepted again beginning in January 2021, but vocational scholarships are accepted year-round. More information can be found at healthymatsu.org.

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Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital to protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution. The MSHF mission is to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su and the tools it uses include grantmaking, convening of local partners, and policy change. The foundation’s work has resulted in significant improvements in systems that support the health of Mat-Su residents in areas such as behavioral health, child welfare, crisis response, community connections, workforce development, transportation, housing, and senior services.  More information is available at healthymatsu.org .