LAPORTE | Since 1982 La Porte Regional Health System (LRHS), the La Porte Hospital Foundation and the

La Porte Hospital Auxiliary have sponsored financial scholarships and award/loan programs for students pursuing or considering careers in health science and healthcare occupations. In 2007, more than $109,362 was awarded to 38 students.

The following scholarships are available for 2008:

La Porte Hospital Auxiliary Abby's Pet Visitation Scholarship - Scholarship of $500 is presented to a freshman or sophomore enrolled in a health career field.

La Porte Hospital Auxiliary Door Prairie Painters' Scholarship - Scholarship amount based on results of the Door Prairie Painters' Christmas fundraiser presented to a freshman or sophomore enrolled in a health career field.

La Porte Hospital Auxiliary Harold and Marcy Bowen Scholarship - Scholarship of $500 presented to a freshman or sophomore enrolled in a health career field.

La Porte Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship - Several awards of $750 are available to students enrolled in a health career field applying for the first time. Several renewal scholarships of $1,000 are also available for students.

La Porte Hospital Foundation Elizabeth & Eugene Siefker Scholarship - Scholarship of $500 presented to a student enrolled in a health career field.

La Porte Hospital Foundation Kemp Family Scholarship - Scholarship of $1,500 presented to a student enrolled in a third- or fourth-year nursing BS degree program.

La Porte Hospital Foundation Magnuson Scholarship - Award available to LRHS employees seeking an advanced degree in healthcare.

La Porte Hospital Foundation Richard M. Sisson Scholarship - Scholarship of $1,000 presented to a student enrolled in a nursing program.

La Porte Hospital Foundation Scholarship - Scholarship available to undergraduate juniors, seniors or fifth-year students in degrees requiring five-plus years in the healthcare field. Amount determined by Scholarship Committee.

The following award/loans are available for 2008:

La Porte Hospital Foundation Kepler Award/Loan Program - Up to $75,000 will be awarded to an exceptional student studying to become a physician. The student must have been accepted into a medical school accredited in conjunction with the American Medical Association or the American Osteopathic Association. The recipient must establish a medical practice in the LRHS service area and become a member of the La Porte Hospital medical staff upon graduation or completion of residency or repay the award.

La Porte Hospital Foundation Rumely Memorial Award/Loan Program - Up to $6,000 will be awarded annually to a college junior or senior enrolled in an accredited health-related academic program. Upon graduation, the recipient must accept employed at LRHS or repay the award.

La Porte Regional Health System Critical Occupations Award/Loan Program - Awarded to students pursuing careers in occupations deemed as critical shortage areas of the hospital. Those current areas include diagnostic imaging technology, nursing (B.S. degree), physical therapy, pharmaceutical (registered) and respiratory therapy (registered). The award/loan may be up to $10,000 to be used for tuition, books and room and board for students in their last year of training. Recipients must join the LRHS staff upon graduation and remain employed full-time for at least two years or repay the award.

Persons eligible for all scholarships must be:

A resident of the LRHS service area, defined as La Porte County, southeast Berrien County (Michigan), eastern St. Joseph County communities of New Carlisle and Walkerton and northern Starke County

A current LRHS employee, child of an LRHS employee, La Porte Hospital Auxiliary member, volunteer or enrollees in training institutions affiliated with or directly related to LRHS

Applications may be obtained from the following sources:

]Online at www.laportehealth.org (click on Foundation, then Scholarships)

Student's school counselor

The La Porte Hospital Foundation Office (La Porte Hospital, 1007 Lincolnway, main floor)

E-mail laportehospitalfoundation@lph.org

All completed applications must be returned or postmarked by April 1, 2008. For additional information contact the La Porte Hospital Foundation at (219) 326-2471 or toll free at (877)-265-4539.

-The Times