THIRTEEN LONG-TERM CARE PROFESSIONALS AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS
BY THE LEADINGAGE KANSAS FOUNDATION

TOPEKA, Kan. – The LeadingAge Kansas Foundation is thrilled to provide thirteen professionals with over $10,000 in scholarships to advance their education in 2023. This year’s scholarship recipients possess diverse aspirations, all of which are beneficial to long-term care providers and aging services. Their pursuits include licensure in nursing, dietary management, health information management, and more. This is the twelfth year that LeadingAge Kansas Foundation has awarded scholarships to passionate individuals working to support older Kansans.

“Now, more than ever, we need to honor and support individuals working in aging services. All thirteen of these deserving winners have given heart and soul to their residents and their colleagues,” stated Rachel Monger, Director of the LeadingAge Kansas Foundation. “We are thrilled to help them achieve their goals and are excited to see all the ways they will help elevate and grow our profession.”

Scholarship winners include:

• Amanda Lynch with Wheatlands Health Care Center in Kingman to pursue an associate degree in health information management. 
• Amy Padilla with Wheatlands Health Care Center in Kingman to earn a Resident Assessment Coordinator certification. 
• Angelica Gardea with Protection Valley Manor in Protection to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. 
• Beulah Mathew with PowerBack Rehab and Delmar Gardens in Lenexa to become certified in Lymphatic Therapy.
• Desiree Kunzman with Linn Community Nursing Home in Linn to become a Registered Nurse.
• Jeannine Blake with Redbud Village & Estates in Plainville to receive an associate degree in nursing.
• Kaitlynn Holman with Pine Village in Moundridge to complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
• Kimberly Bonine with Parsons Presbyterian Manor in Parsons to go to nursing school to become a Registered Nurse.
• Mariama Mboob with Homestead Health Center in Wichita to become a Certified Dietary Manager.
• Sarah Woodley with Wheatlands Health Care Center in Kingman to become a Registered Nurse.
• Stephanie Ferguson with Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community in Buhler to become a Licensed Practical Nurse.
• Trista Whisnant-Aguilar with Homestead Health Center in Wichita to become a Registered Nurse.
• Whitney Dill with Sunporch of Smith County in Smith Center to be used for completion of a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

If you are interested in donating to the LeadingAge Kansas Scholarship Fund to grow future generations of caregivers, please go to www.leadingagekansas.org/donate . 100% of your donation goes directly to scholarships.

The LeadingAge Kansas Foundation is the 501 (c)(3) arm of the trade association LeadingAge Kansas. Their members include nursing homes, assisted living residences, life plan communities, hospice, home health, PACE, home delivered meals and much more. Hiring, retaining, and supporting individuals to work in the field is a central priority of the association and foundation. Each year, generous individuals and companies donate to provide scholarships specifically for those working in the field. Learn more at www.leadingagekansas.org/foundation.