Ginny and Dave Hanna stand with Elizabeth Jorannstad, after presenting her with the bonus award from the Violet B. Hanna Memorial Scholarship fund.

Violet B. Hanna Memorial Scholarship

Ginny and Dave Hanna stand with Elizabeth Jorannstad, after presenting her with the bonus award from the Violet B. Hanna Memorial Scholarship fund.

The Mayers Healthcare Foundation, a non-profit foundation, administers scholarship funds for both community members and current employees of Mayers Memorial Hospital. The Violet B. Hanna Memorial Scholarship was established in 2014 at the request of Dave and Ginny Hanna to honor Dave's mother, Violet B. Hanna, who passed away in July, 13 days before her 101st birthday. She and her husband, Bill Hanna, were married 65 years and spent much of their leisure time during these years in the Fall River Valley. They were generous contributors and supporters of Mayers Intermountain Hospice for many years.

The Violet B. Hanna Memorial Scholarship was created by the Hanna's to address an increased need for qualified nurses in our rural area and to invest in the community by providing career opportunities that support rural healthcare. Eligibility was open to students enrolled in a bachelor's nursing program at an accredited school, graduating within 1-2 years while maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher and committing to work at Mayers Memorial Hospital for two years.

In December 2015, the Mayers Healthcare Foundation awarded Elizabeth Jorannstad a $15,000 award from the Violet B. Hanna Memorial Scholarship providing her assistance with tuition, fees, books and lab materials. In May 2017, Ellie graduated with a Bachelor's Science in Nursing from Chico State University. She has been working for Mayers Memorial Hospital since her graduation.

Having fulfilled her 2-year work commitment as an RN at Mayers Memorial Hospital, the Foundation awarded Ellie the retention incentive bonus of $2,750 from the Violet B. Hanna Memorial Scholarship. When the Foundation reached out to inform her of the award, Ellie exclaimed that she loves her job working at Mayers and is happy to be treating patients in the outpatient medical department. Ellie intends to continue her education in outpatient medical care.

"Through the generous contributions that have honored Violet B. Hanna, and especially that of Dave and Ginny Hanna, we are able to enhance the Foundation's scholarship program and impact the quality and compassionate care that is provided at Mayers Memorial Hospital" Marlene McArthur, MHF Executive Director, said. "We thank the donors who established, and continue to support, our scholarship funds to assist community members in pursuit of higher education and specialized training in healthcare, she said. Scholarship award funding is made possible through the generosity of individual donors through private contributions and through the foundation's fundraising efforts.

For more information and/or to apply, go to: www.supportmayersfoundation.org or call the foundation office at 530-335-5211.