(5-1-26) The Medical, Educational and Development (MED) Foundation of Mercer Health recently awarded a total of $22,500 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. All applicants were interviewed by a scholarship selection panel, and scholarship 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 2026 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.”

2026 MED Foundation Scholarship Recipients:

Celina

  • Mylee Walters – Health Sciences, Accelerated Nursing, The Ohio State University
  • Lukas LeJuene – Integrated Science Studies, Pre‑Med, Wright State University–Lake Campus
  • Avery Stachler – Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Kettering College

Coldwater

  • Madison Bruns – Biology, Pre‑Med, University of Dayton
  • Dana Zahn – Sonography, Kettering College

Ft. Recovery

  • Elisa Evers – Physical Therapy, University of Toledo
  • Aubrie Heitkamp – Nursing, Nurse Practitioner track, Wright State University Lake Campus

Marion Local

  • Hannah Rindler – Nursing, Miami University
  • Kasey Moeller – Nursing, University of Kentucky
  • Christian Kremer – Biology, Pre‑Med, The Ohio State University

Parkway

  • Christina Tong – Nursing, Wright State University Lake Campus
  • Natalie Moeller – Diagnostic Medical Sonography, University of Findlay
  • Brittyn Bruns – Nursing, University of Saint Francis
  • Emmery Temple – Physical Therapy, University of Saint Francis

St. Henry

  • Samantha Miller – Nursing, Bowling Green State University
  • Morgan Baumer – Nursing, University of Saint Francis
  • Karlee Buschur – Nursing, University of Saint Francis
  • Alexis Buschur – Biology, Pre‑Med, The Ohio State University

Since its inception in 1992, theMED Foundation Scholarship Program has provided vital support to local students pursuing healthcare careers. To date, the program has awarded 379 scholarships totaling $409,950. This year’s awards were made possible through the continued success of the annual Esmonde/Homan Golf Outing and Golf Ball Drop, which helps fund additional scholarships for aspiring medical professionals.

The 2026 golf outing is scheduled for Friday, June 12, at the Mercer County Elks, continuing its role as a key fundraiser for the program. Community participation in events like this ensures the MED Foundation can continue investing in the next generation of healthcare providers.

For more information about theMED Foundation of Mercer Health, visithttps://mercer-health.com/med-foundation or call 419-678-5679.