Saint Joseph Health Offers 2026 KY Scholarship Awards

LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 13, 2026) – Saint Joseph Health is proud to announce 14 scholarships totaling more than $34,000 to support aspiring health care professionals across 

Kentucky, including Bardstown, Berea, Lexington, London, Nicholasville and Mount Sterling. These scholarships will help alleviate financial burdens for deserving students pursuing careers in critical health care fields. Associate, bachelor's and advanced degree candidates are invited to apply to the applicable scholarship program. All application materials must be submitted by Friday, April 10.

“We’re excited to again this year offer scholarships to support the next generation of health care workers,” said Delaine Thiel, CFRE, vice president of philanthropy for Saint Joseph Health Foundations. “As part of our mission to improve the health of those we serve, these opportunities open doors for students interested in pursuing health care careers, and we are proud to invest in their futures as caregivers of tomorrow.”

These scholarships were made possible through the generosity of current and past employees, as well as numerous donors who support the organization’s mission. This includes memorial gifts honoring exceptional health care workers and annual contributions from individuals passionate about supporting future generations in the medical field.

2026 Saint Joseph Health Foundation Academic Scholarships:

• Medical, Nursing and Allied Health Scholarships – For all communities served by Saint Joseph Health

  • For graduating high school seniors

    • John R. Gaines Scholarship for Medical Excellence - $2,500

    • Robert & Donna Hewett Scholarship - $2,500

    • Joseph K. Ford Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship - $1,000

    • Sr. Michael Leo Nursing Scholarship - $1,000

  • For secondary and postsecondary students

    • John R. Gaines Scholarship for Medical Excellence - $5,000

    • Phyllis Cronin Scholarship - $2,500

    • Robert & Donna Hewett Scholarship - $2,500

    • Larry & Casey Schumacher Nursing Scholarship - $1,000

    • Sr. Liz Wendeln Scholarship - $1,000

• Flaget Memorial Hospital Foundation Scholarships - Bardstown area

  • For graduating high school seniors

    • Lily Smith Memorial Scholarship - $5,000

    • Flaget Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship - $1,000 (five opportunities)

  • For secondary and postsecondary students

    • Bruce Klockars Scholarship - $2,500 (up to two opportunities)

    • Sherry and Russell Craig Scholarship - $2,000

• Saint Joseph Health Foundation Nursing or Allied Health Scholarships - London area

  • Patti Mink Scholarship Endowment - $1,000

Applications are open now and will close on Friday, April 10. For detailed information on individual scholarship opportunities and to apply, click here.

About Saint Joseph Health

Saint Joseph Health, part of CommonSpirit Health, is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with 100 locations in 20 counties, including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes, home health agencies and an ambulatory Care Center. The hospitals in Saint Joseph Health are Flaget Memorial Hospital, Saint Joseph Berea, Saint Joseph East, Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph Jessamine, Saint Joseph London, Saint Joseph Mount Sterling, and Women’s Hospital at Saint Joseph East. In total, the health system serves patients in 35 counties statewide. Saint Joseph Health is dedicated to providing a wide array of services to build a healthier future for all. Saint Joseph Health embodies a strong mission and faith-based heritage and works through local partnerships to expand access to care in the communities it serves.

About the Saint Joseph Health Foundations

The Saint Joseph Health Foundations support Saint Joseph Health by inspiring donors to make a difference through their philanthropic investment in our care facilities and services, the education of caregivers, advanced clinical research and programs that improve access to quality medical care. The foundations serving their individual communities are Flaget Memorial Hospital Foundation, the Saint Joseph Berea Foundation, the Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation, the Saint Joseph London Foundation and the Saint Joseph Mount Sterling Foundation.