Blue Ridge HealthCare Foundation awards 17 scholarships

The Blue Ridge HealthCare Foundation awarded $26,800 in scholarships during a luncheon on June 17 at Mimosa Hills Golf Club.

Funds were awarded from five different endowments that were created to assist students pursuing further education in healthcare and other related degrees.

“I would like to congratulate all of the scholarship recipients,” Blue Ridge HealthCare Foundation Executive Director Traci Riebel said. “We wish you the best of luck in the upcoming academic year. Thank you for choosing a career path in healthcare and for the difference you are making in the lives of others. This is truly a blessing.”

The 17 scholarship recipients were as follows:

PATRICIA EARLY PUETT SCHOLARSHIP

The Patricia Early Puett Scholarship recipient was Zoe Rector, who recently graduated from Hibriten High School and plans to attend Milligan University to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Rector is passionate about making a lasting impact on patients’ lives, especially during critical moments when safety, comfort, and compassionate care matter most.

G.T. CORNWELL SCHOLARSHIP

The G.T. Cornwell Scholarship recipients were Madison Pepka, Allyson Miller, Savannea Carswell, and Jordan Sherrill.

Pepka currently attends Gardner-Webb University, where she is pursuing a BSN. Her experience as a CNA at UNC Health Blue Ridge has made her a more thoughtful and compassionate person, and healthcare has always been a part of her life.

Miller is presently attending McDowell Technical Community College, where she is working toward an Associate Degree in Nursing. Since joining UNC Health Blue Ridge as a phlebotomist, Miller has found a supportive environment that feels like a second home and a team she considers family. She plans to continue her education through a BSN, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and potentially a Nurse Practitioner (NP) degree.

Carswell is currently attending Western Carolina University for a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)/Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) degree. She has been employed with UNC Health Blue Ridge for nearly 10 years as a registered nurse and takes pride in caring for patients with the same compassion, respect, and excellence that her own family has experienced.

Sherrill presently attends Lenoir-Rhyne University in pursuit of a DNP degree. She began her nursing career in 2014, and she joined UNC Health Blue Ridge in 2017. Serving a rural community has allowed her to see firsthand the healthcare challenges patients face, including limited access to care, transportation barriers, financial constraints, and high rates of chronic disease.

VANNOPPEN SCHOLARSHIP

The VanNoppen Scholarship recipients were Alexis Crump, Lily Moore, Madison Abernathy, Cali Absher, and Laney Winebarger.

Crump recently attended Appalachian State University and obtained a Communication Sciences and Disorders/Speech Pathology degree. She plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Greensboro to obtain a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology.

“No matter my destination, my goal is to provide the best possible care for my patients,” Crump said.

Moore plans to attend Western Carolina this fall to pursue a nursing degree. She has always been interested in a healthcare career, and she plans to further her education to become either an NP or a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

Abernathy recently graduated from West Caldwell High School and plans to attend Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute to become a physical therapy assistant.

“Watching my mother and other healthcare workers treat patients with empathy and dedication has inspired me to pursue a career in the healthcare field,” Abernathy said.

Absher recently graduated from Draughn High School. In the fall, she plans to attend Liberty University to pursue a degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing. Absher is pursuing this degree because she has experienced firsthand how impactful effective marketing can be for an organization during her time as a volunteer with UNC Health Blue Ridge’s marketing department.

Winebarger currently attends Asheville-Bumcombe Technical Community College and is looking to become an occupational therapy assistant. She has a strong desire to help individuals regain the skills and confidence needed to perform daily tasks after illness, injury, or a disability.

J. GRAYSON BROTHERS SCHOLARSHIP

The J. Grayson Brothers Scholarship recipients were Victoria Riddle, Tiffany Key, and Aiden Heilmann.

Riddle graduated from Western Governors University in September 2025. She is currently taking classes through Walden University pursuing an MSN/FNP graduate degree. When Riddle graduates, she plans to work in a women’s health clinic to advocate for her patients.

Key currently attends Appalachian State in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in health science and a minor in healthcare administration. She is pursuing this degree because it will equip her with the skills needed to address operational challenges and support staff development.

Heilmann presently attends Lenoir-Rhyne University in pursuit of a Master of Science in Exercise Science.

“This degree is not simply an academic step for me,” Heilmann said. “It is a way to better understand the intersection between performance, injury, emergency response, and recovery.”

UNC HEALTH BLUE RIDGE VOLUNTEERS SCHOLARSHIP

The UNC Health Blue Ridge Volunteers Scholarship recipients were Jincy Gibby, Makayla Cleckner, Jesse Bowen, and Lauren Crump.

Gibby recently graduated from Patton High School. She plans to attend Clemson University to pursue a degree in health science, and she is passionate about helping people recover, regain strength, and get back to doing what they love.

Cleckner currently attends Western Piedmont Community College, where she is pursuing an Associate Degree in Nursing. She is described as someone who conducts herself with integrity and respect, and she is known for being dependable and attentive in both a classroom and clinical setting.

Bowen presently attends McDowell Tech, where she is pursuing a nursing degree. She has a strong desire to help her community and provide comfort and exceptional care to individuals during vulnerable moments in their lives.

Crump currently attends the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in pursuit of a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree with an FNP concentration. She is described as someone who demonstrates exceptional professionalism, punctuality, and a genuine commitment to patient care.

For more information on scholarships, visit brhcfoundation.org.

— JM