Mary Richards Memorial Scholarship applications now available

NOTE: All applications must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, July 31, 2026

BANDON – To encourage and support local students to pursue or continue education in the healthcare field, the Southern Coos Health Foundation has opened the scholarship application period for the annual Mary Richards Memorial Scholarship.

All those entering into their second year of a post-secondary healthcare program, those currently employed by Southern Coos Hospital & Health Center, or a child/dependent of a current employee may enroll. The scholarship program is funded by the proceeds of the Southern Coos Health Foundation’s Hospital Gift Shop.

The Foundation is the nonprofit fundraising arm for the hospital and primarily contributes funds for various programs, including patient comfort items and equipment, the Bandon School District School Nurse Program, Women’s Health Day, the drive-through Flu Clinic, continuing education for employees, and free early cancer detection screening for those who qualify.

Mary Richards, for whom the scholarship is named, was a long-time member of the Southern Coos Hospital & Health Center Auxiliary, who started the scholarship program before the Auxiliary became the hospital’s volunteer corps. She worked for much of her career at Harbor Lights Middle School. When she passed away, she instructed her family to devote any donations to be given to the SCHHC Auxiliary.

To memorialize the impact that Mary Richards had on the Auxiliary and the Bandon community, the SCHHC Auxiliary designated the funds as the Mary Richards Memorial Scholarship fund. Since its inception, thousands of dollars have been awarded in scholarships from this fund.

To be eligible for a Mary Richards Memorial Scholarship, applicants must fulfill one of the following criteria:

1. Is an employee of Southern Coos Health District who wishes to pursue or continue education in a healthcare field and has been accepted into a program;
2. Is a child of an employee of Southern Coos Health District who is enrolled in a degree program in a healthcare-related discipline;
3. Is a member of the Bandon community who is enrolled in at least the second year of post-secondary education in a degree program or working on a certificate in a health care-related field.

Applications are available at the following locations:

1. The Gift Shop at Southern Coos Hospital & Health Center (open from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday).
2. The front admitting desk of Southern Coos Hospital & Health Center (open 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday).
3. Online, at http://southerncoos.org/mary-richards-memorial-scholarship/.

Applicants may submit materials in one of four ways:

1. Mail your application to:

Mary Richards Memorial Scholarship

c/o Southern Coos Health Foundation

900 11^th St. SW

Bandon, OR 97411

1. Hand-Deliver your application to the Southern Coos Hospital & Health Center front desk or Hospital Gift Shop:

Mary Richards Memorial Scholarship

c/o Alix McGinley

Southern Coos Health Foundation

900 11th Street, SE

Bandon, OR 97411

1. Download your application from our website; then scan and email your application to: [email protected].
2. Use the Fillable Form on our website and click “submit” when you’re done. Print out the reference forms to give to your references or have them fill it out on our website and click “submit.”

All applications must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, July 31, 2026.

More information, including the application packet, may be found at http://southerncoos.org/mary-richards-memorial-scholarship/.

For questions about the application process, please contact Amy Moss Strong, 541-329-1038 or [email protected].

News Source : https://southerncoos.org/healthcare-education-scholarships-offered-by-southern-coos-health-foundation/