Clarion Hospital Foundation Supports Healthcare Careers Through Scholarship Opportunities

Clarion, Pa., Jan. 29, 2026 ─Independence Health System’s Clarion Hospital Foundation is accepting scholarship applications for the 2026-27 academic year. The scholarships support local high school graduates and future graduates who have demonstrated academic excellence and an interest in pursuing healthcare careers. Application packages must be postmarked or delivered to the hospital foundation office by Feb. 28, 2026. 

The following scholarships are available:

• Dr. John E. Brooks Memorial Scholarship: A $1,000 scholarship created by the Brooks family in honor of Dr. Brooks to support local students pursuing higher education in healthcare. 

• Joseph and Helen Miller Memorial Scholarship: Established by the Clarion Hospital Foundation in honor of the Miller Family. Two $1,000 scholarships are available to students interested in a healthcare career. 

• Fran Shope Memorial Scholarship: Created to assist students pursuing a career in the medical field. Two $1,000 scholarships are available.

To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria: 

• Be a graduate or future graduate of a Clarion County high school
• Be accepted to a post-secondary healthcare education program
• Have a 3.0 grade-point average in their final three years of high school
• Plan to pursue a field such as nursing, inhalation therapy, lab technology, radiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical technology or another medical field

The Stroup Family Nursing Scholarships, made possible through a generous donation from the Stroup family, will be awarded to students pursuing careers in nursing. The following nursing scholarships are available:

• ASN Scholarship: This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student entering their first year of the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program at PennWest Clarion in fall 2026. During the second year of the program, awardees in good standing become nurse externs at Clarion Hospital, gaining hands-on RN experience through mentorship, $5,000 in tuition reimbursement and employment upon graduation. 

• BSN Scholarship: This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student entering their first year of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at PennWest Clarion in fall 2026. The scholarship is renewable for the second year of the BSN program. During the third and fourth years, awardees in good standing become nurse externs at Clarion Hospital, receiving mentorship, $5,000 per year in tuition reimbursement and employment upon graduation.

To be eligible for the Stroup Nursing Scholarships, students must meet the following criteria: 

• Be a graduate or future graduate of a Clarion, Forest, Jefferson or Venango County high school
• Be accepted into PennWest Clarion for fall 2026
• Have a 3.0 grade-point average in their final three years of high school
• Plan to pursue a nursing education, participate in the Nurse Extern Program and gain employment at Clarion Hospital.

Independence Health System and the Clarion Hospital Foundation thank the generous scholarship donors for enabling much-needed financial support for healthcare careers.

Applications are available at www.independence.health. Select “Giving” then “Scholarships” under the Clarion Hospital Foundation menu. For additional information, contact the Clarion Hospital Foundation at 814-226-1258. The application deadline is Feb. 28, 2026.

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Nationally recognized for quality care, Independence Health System comprises Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland Hospitals with a combined bed count of 925. With more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 7,000 employees, the System is the third largest in western Pennsylvania serving a population base of 750,000 in a footprint spanning a multi-county region. 

The System includes tertiary programs rated among America’s best for cardiac care and surgery, earning accolades from a number of prestigious outlets and organizations. Locally owned and locally controlled, Independence Health System offers its patients low-cost, high-quality care across the care spectrum in such specialties as cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, women’s health and obstetrics, emergency medicine, behavioral health and primary care. Its network of outpatient centers sees more than 1.2 million visits annually. The homecare division further supports patients at all stages of life with home health and hospice services. Learn more at www.independence.health.