Rivers Health Scholarship Foundation celebrates future healthcare leaders

Marshall Health Network Foundations recognized nine students pursuing healthcare careers during its annual Rivers Health Scholarship Foundation reception held July 16 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.

Karen Meadows, a lifelong Point Pleasant, West Virginia, resident and Rivers Health director of quality and risk management, 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. 

For more information about the Rivers Health Scholarship Foundation and other initiatives of MHN Foundations, visit mhnfoundations.org.