The Medical, Educational and Development (MED) Foundation of Mercer Health recently awarded a total of $21,000 to local high school seniors furthering their education in the medical field after graduation. Scholarships were awarded to students from each of the six high schools in Mercer County and recipients were selected based on their academic performance, extracurricular activities, volunteerism and plans for higher education.

Deb Hemmelgarn, MED Foundation and Volunteer Services Director

“We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 MED Foundation Scholarships and to highlight each of their educational journeys. We are proud to support the goals of these aspiring students in our community who aim to contribute to the future of health care.”

MED Foundation scholarship recipients for 2025 include:

Celina

  • Kaitlyn Dodds: Biology, Pre-Med, University of Kentucky
  • Brooke Faber: Biology, Pre-Physical Therapy, The Ohio State University
  • Jaclynn Felver: Biological Sciences, Wright State Lake Campus
  • Taryn Willrath: Biology, Pre-Med, Miami University

Coldwater

  • Olivia Broering: Kinesiology, Pre-Med, University of Michigan

Ft. Recovery

  • Kayla Heitkamp: Pharmacy, Ohio Northern University
  • Benjamin Reinhard: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Mathematics, Pre-Med, Wright State University
  • Emma Will: Nursing, Wright State Lake Campus

Marion Local

  • Mackenzie Bohman: Nursing, Wright State Lake Campus
  • Lydia Hess: Biology, Pre-Med, The Ohio State University

Parkway

  • Shay Boroff: Radiologic Technology & Advanced Medical Imaging, University of Saint Francis
  • Adria Miller: Nursing, Pre-Med, The Ohio State University

St. Henry

  • Mya Knapke: Medical Laboratory Science, Pre-Med, The Ohio State University

The MED Foundation Scholarship Program has provided vital support for local students pursuing careers in the medical field. Since its inception in 1992, the program has awarded 360 scholarships, totaling $387,450. This year, thanks to the continued success of the Esmonde/Homan Golf Outing and Golf Ball Drop, the foundation has been able to grant scholarships to additional aspiring medical professionals.

The 2025 golf outing is scheduled for Friday, June 13, at the Mercer County Elks, continuing its role as a key fundraiser for the program. Community engagement through events like this ensures that the MED Foundation can keep investing in the educational journeys of students dedicated to shaping the future of healthcare.

For more information about the MED Foundation of Mercer Health, visit https://mercer-health.com/med-foundation or call 419-678-5679.

Not pictured are Brooke Faber, Jaclynn Felver, Kayla Heitkamp and Emma Will.