CaroMont Health Foundation Announces 2025 Scholarship Recipients
The CaroMont Health Foundation recently awarded $155,250 in scholarships to area students and medical professionals pursuing or advancing their careers in the field of healthcare.
The CaroMont Health Foundation awarded the funds through six scholarships this year: Amanda George Self Emergency Medicine Scholarship, Mr. and Mrs. Joe R. Hudson Nursing Scholarship, Lonnie and Rachel Waggoner Nursing Education Scholarship, Gene and Jo Woody Family Scholarship, Team CaroMont Scholarship and the Wayne F. Shovelin Scholarship. These scholarships are made possible through contributions from generous donors and CaroMont Health employees.
"The CaroMont Health Foundation's scholarship initiative allows us to invest in exceptional healthcare professionals who are dedicated to advancing their education and expertise," said Jay Nutter, Chair of the Scholarships Advisory Board for the CaroMont Health Foundation. "These individuals have shown remarkable dedication to helping others through their passion for patient care. Supporting such an outstanding group of professionals is truly an honor."
The CaroMont Health Foundation seeks to support the CaroMont Health mission to provide compassionate, exceptional and highly reliable care through grants, scholarships and other programs. Financial support awarded to individuals helps create a more targeted approach to tackling the present and persisting healthcare issues facing the region.
The following scholarships were awarded this year:
Amanda George Self Emergency Medicine Scholarship
The Amanda George Self Emergency Medicine Scholarship Fund was created in 2018 in memory of Amanda Self to recognize her fifteen years of service with CaroMont Regional Medical Center. Initial funds for this scholarship were provided by her colleagues and friends in celebration of her enthusiasm for education and support of her peers. Annual support is received from colleagues and friends and employee giving through the Team CaroMont campaign. Awards from this scholarship are given to students pursuing education in emergency medicine.
The Amanda George Self Emergency Medicine Scholarship was awarded to David Moore.
Mr. and Mrs. Joe R. Hudson Nursing Scholarship
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Hudson established the Hudson Scholarship in 1974 to support students and help staff the new Gaston Memorial Hospital. Awards from this scholarship program are given based on organizational needs, scholastics and acceptance into nursing programs for area students. Recipients must sign a promissory note that they intend to become or remain an employee of CaroMont Health after completing their studies.
The Mr. and Mrs. Joe R. Hudson Nursing Scholarships were awarded to Roberto Gonzalez, Allison Shortridge, Zadia Davis and David Moore.
Team CaroMont Scholarship
The Team CaroMont Scholarship was established in 2015 and funded by employee contributions to the Team CaroMont campaign. 100% of donations given to the Team CaroMont Scholarship Fund directly supports educational opportunities for CaroMont Health employees pursuing an education in health-related programs and select non-degree programs.
The Team CaroMont Scholarships were awarded to Ariel Edwards, Allison Shortridge, Noemi Villa Platas, Kyra Kirksey, David Moore and Michaela Robinson.
The Lonnie and Rachel Waggoner Nursing Education Scholarship
The Lonnie and Rachel Waggoner Nursing Education Scholarship is a permanent endowment established in 2005. Awards from this scholarship are given to students seeking an accredited degree in the field of nursing (LPN, RN or BSN).
The Lonnie and Rachel Waggoner Nursing Education Scholarships were awarded to Noemi Villa Platas, Tamia Allen and Makayla Deal.
Gene and Jo Woody Family Scholarship
Established by the Woody family in 2023, the Gene and Jo Woody Family Scholarship was created to memorialize the legacy of Dr. and Mrs. Woody, who had longstanding careers and dedication to volunteerism in healthcare fields. The couple served in the US Navy before moving to Gastonia in 1945, where Dr. Woody started his dental practice and Mrs. Woody, a registered nurse, volunteered for the Red Cross Bloodmobile. This scholarship supports students pursuing an education in a healthcare-related field who exemplify what Dr. and Mrs. Woody stood for.
The Gene and Jo Woody Family Scholarships were awarded to Moriah Wallace, Kwaabe Eshun, Charles Price and Aiyana Seltun.
Wayne F. Shovelin Scholarship
The Wayne F. Shovelin Scholarship was established in 2009 by the Duke Kimbrell Family in honor of Wayne Shovelin’s many contributions to CaroMont Health, including his 23 years as President and CEO. This annual scholarship is awarded to a high school senior who has excelled academically, demonstrates strong leadership and community involvement, and plans to major in a health-related field. The award includes up to $24,000 annually over four years of academic work and summer internship opportunities at CaroMont Health.
Olivia Michael is the 2025 recipient of the Wayne F. Shovelin Scholarship. She joins Aissatou Diouf (2024), Liana Mattera (2023) and Evan Friday (2022) as current recipients of this award.
The CaroMont Health Auxiliary Gertrude Clinton Health Career Scholarship Fund
The scholarship was established by the Gaston Memorial Hospital Auxiliary in 1971. Mrs. Gertrude Clinton served as Gaston County Social Services Director, Personnel Director for CaroMont Health, and was a founding member and President of the CaroMont Regional Medical Center Auxiliary. Following Mrs. Clinton’s death, the scholarship fund was renamed in her memory.
The CaroMont Health Auxiliary Gertrude Clinton Health Career Scholarships were awarded to Ariel Edwards, Supradeep Madduri, Tamia Allen, Jordan Harris, James Bowen, Kwaaba Eshun, Mallory Gosnell, Katelyn Hoersch, Madison Joyner, Sadie Burchfield, Sofia Dorantes, Isabella Roush, Stacia Cowan, Paola Vargas, Corrie Cloninger, Sadie Morton, Maddie Somers and Avery Beam.
To view all of the available scholarships and learn more about how the CaroMont Health Foundation supports students pursuing careers in healthcare click here.
Learn more about the CaroMont Health Foundation here.