Nineteen students pursuing medical careers and five students, who have served as volunteers at Fairview Lake Medical Center, benefited from more than $22,000 in scholarships presented by the Fairview Lakes Auxiliary at an awards ceremony held at Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming on June 16.

Student Service Scholarship Awards
     This year, the auxiliary acknowledged the contribution of student volunteers at Fairview Lakes Medical Center by presenting its first “Fairview Lakes Student Service Awards.” Recipients of those awards, which ranged from $500 to $1,000, were selected on the basis of 10 criteria that take into account total hours of service and level of commitment.

     The five volunteers receiving this year’s service awards have given more than 1,200 hours of volunteer service to Fairview Lakes Medical Center, and represent 12-1/2 years of combined service. They are:

    Katie Stout, a Forest Lake High School graduate, who will attend Concordia College, Moorhead, pursuing a career in education. She has been a volunteer in the Birthplace, diagnostic imaging and at the Information Desk.

     Austin White graduated from Forest Lake High School and plans to attend the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point pursuing pre-med courses. Austin started his volunteer career at the Information Desk and moved to the emergency department (ED)/urgent care.
Laura Mansell has finished her second year at St. Olaf College in a pre-med program. Laura has volunteered at the emergency room/urgent care triage desk since 2006, and this summer will volunteer in a behind-the-scenes.position designed specifically for college students pursuing medical careers.

     Abbey Lefto, Forest Lake High School graduate, since 2005 has given 350 hours at the Information Desk, the Gift Shop, the Birthplace and in diagnostic imaging.She is studying to become a registered nurse at Winona State University.

     Emily Dupree, a Forest Lake High School graduate, has volunteered over 400 hours since June 2006. In addition to her regular volunteer schedule in the Gift Shop and diagnostic imaging, Emily helps fill vacancies. Emily attends Century College where she is studying to become a radiology technician.

Medical Scholarship Awards
     The Fairview Lakes Auxiliary presented 19 scholarships to student pursuing medical careers: This year’s medical/health careers scholarship winners were selected from a field of 80 applicants by a panel of seven judges all of whom live in the Fairview Lakes’ service area. The medical scholarship recipients include 11 college students, five returning adult students and three 2009 high school graduates.

Ken Shea Scholarship
     The $1,000 Ken Shea scholarship, presented by North Metro Anesthesia in memory of long-time nurse anesthetist, Ken Shea, was awarded to Paul Bachman, a certified surgery technician at Fairview Lakes Medical Center, who is pursuing a career as registered nurse. A graduate of Osseo High School, Paul completed training as a surgery technician while serving in the U.S. Navy and has worked for Fairview Lakes since 1992. Paul lives in Centerville with his wife Bridgette and their two children. He is enrolled in the nursing program at Century College in White Bear Lake and plans to continue his work after graduation in the Fairview Lakes operating room.

Dr Harold and Joyce Albrecht Scholarship
      For the third consecutive year, the Albrecht family sponsored a $1,000 scholarship in memory of their father, Dr Harold Albrecht, the first chief of staff of Chisago Lakes Hospital, and also in memory of their mother, Joyce, a volunteer and hospital hostess for 35 years. Joyce died in September 2008 at the age of 100.

      The scholarship is designated for a student enrolled in a post-secondary accredited health career program. This year’s winner is Breanna Cook, daughter of Brad Cook of Pine City and Linda Cook of Rush City. Breanna completed her junior year at Augsburg College and is planning to enter the physician assistant program upon graduation.

Cindy Lynch Scholarships
      Two $1,000 scholarships are awarded by the family in memory of Cindy Lynch, a registered nurse at District Memorial Hospital, Forest Lake, and at Fairview Lakes Medical Center, Wyoming. The scholarships are given to adults returning to school to pursue and advance their nursing careers. They are:

      Deborah Fuller, Forest Lake, who is a nursing student at North Hennepin Community College. Deborah works as a program counselor at ACR Homes, Inc., Roseville, where she cares for adults with profound developmental and physical disabilities.

      Gwen Spychalla, who lives in Pine City with her husband Terry and one child, has been employed as a certified medical assistant at Fairview Lakes North Branch Clinic since 2006. She is enrolled in the RN/BSN program at National American University.

Fairview Lakes Auxiliary Love Lights Scholarship
       Each year the Fairview Lakes Auxiliary uses proceeds of its annual Love Lights tree lighting program to fund scholarships for students pursuing careers in health care. This year, Love Lights Scholarships were presented to:

      Amy Borlaug, daughter of Kurt and Beth Borlaug of Forest Lake, who recently completed her junior year at Mankato State University in the dental hygienist program, and Kelsey Blom, daughter of Colleen Blom and the late Alan Blom of Circle Pines, who recently completed her undergraduate work at Concordia College in Moorhead. This fall Kelsey will enter the physical therapy doctorate program at the University of Minnesota.

Fairview Lakes Health Services Scholarship
      Dan Anderson, president of Fairview Lakes Health Services, presented two $1,000 Fairview Lakes Health Services Scholarships to:

      Breanne Mordorski, daughter of Rick and Chris Mordorski of Forest Lake, who is enrolled in the College of St. Benedict’s biochemistry/pre-med undergraduate program. Breanne plans to become a physician specializing in immunology, gastroenterology or pediatrics.

       Erik Stromberg, the son of Steven Stromberg of Eagan and Debra Stromberg of Forest Lake, is a Forest Lake High School graduate enrolled in the pharmacy program at the University of Minnesota. Erik has been employed as a certified pharmacy technician at Fairview Lakes and Cub Pharmacy since May 2008.

Diversity Scholarship
      This $1000 scholarship is awarded to a student who identifies himself or herself as diverse in origin and demonstrates leadership potential. This year’s scholarship was awarded to Kari Colucci, daughter of John and Nancy Colucci of Forest Lake. Kari has completed her second year at The College of St. Catherine pursuing a degree in nursing. Kari completed the Fairview Lakes introduction to health care course while attending Forest Lake High School and is employed as a certified nursing assistant at Fairview Lakes Medical Center this summer.

Leah Hillesheim Scholarship
     The Leah Hillesheim Scholarships are awarded annually in honor of former District Memorial Hospital Administrator Leah Hillesheim. The scholarships are funded by the Fairview Lakes Auxiliary’s annual Bike, Walk and Roll event. All monies raised are returned in the form of scholarships. This year seven $1,000 Hillesheim scholarships were awarded to:

      Nadia Jelinek, daughter of John and Cheryl Jelinek of Chisago City. Nadia completed the certified nursing assistant class at Parmly LifePointes while attending Chisago Lakes High School and has worked as a certified nursing assistance there since 2006. She is also employed at the College of St. Catherine’s Health and Wellness Center while working toward her nursing degree.

     Jamie Lehman, daughter of Tim and Tracy Lehman of Stacy, a 2008 graduate of Forest Lake High School, recently completed her freshman year at Winona State University working toward a degree in nursing. Jamie completed the introduction to healthcare course while in high school and has volunteered in the birthing center at Fairview Lakes Medical Center.

      Jessica Springer, daughter of Erchal and Debra Springer of Marine on St. Croix, is a 2009 graduate of Forest Lake High School. This fall she will attend the University of Minnesota pursuing a medical career. She completed the introduction to health care careers course while in high school and volunteers at Courage Center.

     Tara Splinter, North Branch, graduated from Forest Lake High School and is enrolled in the licensed practical nursing program at Pine Technical College considering a career as a registered nurse.

      Loni Ogez, daughter of Jon and Kim Ogez, North Branch, recently completed her junior year in the nursing program at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth. She plans to become a pediatric nurse.

      Carol Breitbach and her husband, Patrick, live in Forest Lake. Carol is employed as a certified nursing assistant at Fairview Lakes Medical Center and as a personal care attendant at Birchwood Arbors. She is studying registered nursing at Century College.

      Sherri Morrison, daughter of Patricia Morrison, Forest Lake, and Dennis Morrison, Ewen, Mich., is a 2009 graduate of Forest Lake High School, where she completed the introduction to health care careers course. Sherri will attend Minnesota State University in Mankato this fall studying to become a registered nurse. She works as a nursing assistant at Birchwood Nursing Home in Forest Lake.

The Carl and Victoria Lindberg Scholarship
      The $1,000 Carl and Victoria Lindberg Scholarship is presented annually to a student from the Chisago Lakes, Wyoming or North Branch area pursuing a career in health care. The Lindberg family sponsors this scholarship in memory of their parents, Carl and Victoria, long-time residents of the Chisago Lakes Community

      Winner of this year’s Carl and Victoria Lindberg Scholarship is Emma Jindra, daughter of John and Mary Ann Jindra of Chisago City. A third-year student at the University of St Thomas, Emma plans to enter the pharmacy program at the University of Minnesota upon graduation. She has worked as a pharmacy technician at the Lindstrom Thrifty White Pharmacy since 2006.

The Donald Ferguson Scholarship
      This $1,000 scholarship, given in memory of former Chisago Lakes Hospital administrator, Donald Ferguson, is awarded annually to a student pursuing a health care career and living in the Fairview Lakes health care region.

     Winner of the Donald Ferguson Scholarship is Samantha Cole, daughter of Kathleen Cole of Scandia. Samantha completed course work at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls and this fall will begin studies in the speech pathology program at Marquette University in Milwaukee. This summer she is working at a speech pathology camp in Charlotte, N.C.

The Virginia Elizabeth Ferguson Scholarship
      This $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a Chisago Lakes High School student who plans to pursue a career in nursing or related health care field. Receiving the scholarship this year is Jill Sontag, daughter of Steven and Lisa Sontag of Shafer. A 2009 graduate of Chisago Lakes High School, Jill will attend the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse, pursuing a career as an athletic trainer. 

      Applications for next year’s Fairview Lakes Auxiliary Scholarships will be available after January 1, 2010.