Scholarships with Blue Ridge HealthCare Foundation

Application period: February 8, 2024 - March 29, 2024

Application and all required documentation must be postmarked by March 29, 2024, to be considered. 
Communication on funding decisions will occur in late May.

(Above) 2024 Scholarship Recipients

Scholarship recipients shown here, starting with the front row, left: Executive Director, Traci Riebel, Jacey Smith, Kristan Norman, Maddison Powell, April James, Ella Brackett, Sheyla Hernandez, Kaitlin Wolfe, Kasey Odom.  

Back row from left: Mallory Evitt, Jordan Sparks, Laney Winebarger, Trinitee Stevens, Jada Houser, Lauren Crump, Emma Sacchetti

Recipients not pictured are Madison Banner, Daliyha Foster 

Patricia Early Puett 

This scholarship was set up in honor of Patricia Early Puett, a 1958 graduate of Grace Hospital School of Nursing. Ms. Puett specialized in pediatric nursing for the majority of her career. Monies awarded assist in the formal education and training of individuals entering or advancing in the various fields of nursing. 

Focus of the Program:

  • Scholarship(s) to assist individuals seeking education to become a nurse. 
  • Grant-in-aid to assist qualified nurses seeking advanced education in nursing. Applicant must be a UNC Health Blue Ridge employee.
  • Not for individuals with M.D. degrees.

G.T. Cornwell 

G.T. Cornwell’s commitment to nursing began in the early 1940’s when he served as a nursing instructor in the Grace Hospital School of Nursing, a residential nurse training program that was operated for over 70 years by Grace Hospital. Mr. Cornwell continued his commitment to nursing by establishing the G.T. Cornwell endowment in July 1997. 

While instructing nurses, Mr. Cornwell launched and managed the Cornwell Drug Store chain that served a broad market in Western North Carolina. 

Monies awarded assist in the formal education and training of individuals entering or advancing in the various fields of nursing. 

Focus of the Program:

  • Scholarships(s) to assist individuals seeking education to become a nurse.
  • Grant-in-aid to assist qualified nurses seeking advance education in nursing. Applicant must be a UNC Health Blue Ridge employee.
  • Not for individuals with M.D. degrees.

VanNoppen 

Elisabeth Fulton VanNoppen and her family established the VanNoppen Scholarship in 1982 following the passing of her husband, Donnell VanNoppen. Mr. VanNoppen served on the Board of Directors at Grace Hospital (now UNC Health Blue Ridge) for 37 years. Mr. and Mrs. VanNoppen believed in the importance of education and developing people.

Focus of the Program:

  • Scholarship(s) to assist individuals seeking a healthcare related degree but not for individuals with M.D. degrees.

J. Grayson Brothers 

J. Grayson Brothers was a hospital administrator at Grace Hospital (now UNC Health Blue Ridge) for 24 years. The scholarship fund was established in 1978 as a memorial to Mr. Brothers by the Grace Hospital Board of Trustees. 

Focus of the Program:

  • Scholarship(s) to assist individuals seeking a healthcare related bachelor’s degree or above but not for individuals with M.D. degrees.

Criteria for Consideration of Scholarship or Grant-in-aid

  • Individuals applying for financial assistance must:
    1. Complete and print application
    2. Provide proof of acceptance into a health care related accredited program 
    3. Provide written recommendation from a supervisor or instructor 
    4. Obtain official transcript of grades from most recent classes attended (Grade Point Average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale) 
    5. Applicant must reside in Burke, Caldwell, McDowell, or Catawba counties

Download the Application PDF here. The same application is used for all scholarships above. Complete the application, print it out and sign it, then mail application, proof of acceptance, written recommendation, and official transcript to:

Blue Ridge HealthCare Foundation 309 South College Street, Morganton, NC 28655

Criteria if monies awarded

  • All monies are awarded on an annual basis for one school year and applicants must reapply each year. School year is defined as Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.
  • Funds may be used for the payment of tuition and payment of required textbooks only (there is no reimbursement for travel and/or supplies). The school you are attending will be asked to submit a bill at the beginning of each semester.
  • A grade transcript must be submitted to the Blue Ridge HealthCare Foundation at the end of each semester to verify satisfactory completion of classes. Funding for subsequent semesters may be suspended until the grade transcript is received.
  • At the end of the school year, any funds not used by the applicant will be forfeited and returned to the scholarship/grant fund pool.
  • UNC Health Blue Ridge employees must have a satisfactory or above average performance level to be eligible.

Application period: February 8, 2024 - March 29, 2024
Application and all required documentation must be postmarked by March 29, 2024, to be considered. 
Communication on funding decisions will occur in late May.

Ready To Contribute? Make your donation today.

DONATE NOW