Second row, standing, left to right: Billi Colyner; Karysynne Livingston; Ava Clifton; Cooper Shackles; Salvatore Galati;
Back row, standing, left to right: Shelby Clark; Mackenzie Acinelli; Olivia Ponder; Tyson Underwood; Madelyn White; Drieka Keller; Sydnie Floyd;
The Saint Francis Foundation and Saint Francis Auxiliary honored 22 students pursuing healthcare careers during a scholarship recognition luncheon on Friday, July 24, 2026.
Twenty-two scholarships were awarded, with each student receiving $2,000 in scholarship funds toward a degree in a healthcare-related profession. Those recipients and their scholarships include:
- Mackenzie Acinelli of Cape Girardeau – Susan Kluesner Hinkebein Memorial Scholarship
- Kate Appleman of Jackson – Lee George and Katherine Jane Cochran Memorial Scholarship
- Paige Beussink of Cape Girardeau – Saint Francis Auxiliary Healthcare Scholarship
- Shelby Clark of Cape Girardeau – Bess Estes Healthcare Scholarship
- Ava Clifton of Fredericktown – Saint Francis Auxiliary 125th Anniversary Scholarship
- Billi Colyer of Marble Hill – Huttegger-Scherer Memorial Scholarship
- Mackinley Cox of Poplar Bluff – Evalyn and S. David Nunley Scholarship
- Brayden Eftink of Millersville – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
- Gwendolyn Essner of Scott City – Joseph and Harriette Hunter McCrate Scholarship
- Sydnie Floyd of Millersville – Mamie Hall Memorial Scholarship
- Salvatore Galati of Cape Girardeau – Saint Francis Auxiliary Physician Honor Scholarship
- Harley Glueck of Scott City – Ken Hayden Memorial Nursing Scholarship
- Kaitlyn Jones of Cape Girardeau – Sisters of Saint Francis Nursing Scholarship
- Drieka Keller of Leopold – Lucy Ellen Towse Memorial Scholarship
- Karsynne Livingston of Cape Girardeau – Edythe M. Davis Scholarship
- Addison Nichols of Jackson – Bernadean Campbell Memorial Scholarship
- Olivia Ponder of Scott City – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship
- Jaydan Revelle of Advance – Christen Joyel Aufdenberg Memorial Scholarship
- Cooper Shackles of Sikeston – Clara D. Newnam Memorial Scholarship
- Tyson Underwood of Scott City – Carrie Suedekum Memorial Scholarship
- Avery Wagoner of Kelso – Earl Jr. and Lori Wills Memorial Scholarship
- Madelyn White of Cape Girardeau – Mark F. Scully Nursing Scholarship
Established in 1980, the Saint Francis Healthcare Scholarship Program is made possible through the generosity of the Saint Francis Foundation, the Saint Francis Auxiliary and dedicated donors. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $973,000 in scholarships to support college students pursuing careers in healthcare.
Blair Huckstep, a Registered Nurse in the Surgical / Operating Room at Saint Francis, spoke on behalf of her family, who sponsor the Susan Kluesner Hinkebein Memorial Scholarship in honor of her late mother. “My Mom was called to serve her patients. The Saint Francis scholarship program not only gives back to others but allows my mother’s legacy and others like her to live on.”
To be eligible for a Saint Francis Healthcare Scholarship, applicants must have completed at least one year in an accredited healthcare program and be currently enrolled. Additional criteria include maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA, submitting all required materials by the stated deadline and residing within the Saint Francis service area as defined in the application.
For more information about the Saint Francis Healthcare Scholarship Program, call 573-331-3192 or visit the Healthcare Scholarship page.
