Press Release: Create Healthy Awards $250,000 to Hill Country Scholarship Organizations to Support Students Pursuing Higher Education in Healthcare

Create Healthy, a Hill Country foundation committed to strengthening the healthcare workforce through community investment, distributed $250,000 in scholarship funding to area organizations. The funds were granted to eight local education-focused organizations to support students pursuing higher education in healthcare.

“I’ve seen so many bright students with the heart to serve in healthcare but without the means to get there. This funding isn’t just financial aid — it’s hope. It tells these kids, ‘We believe in you. Your future matters,’” said Sheryl Jacks, member of the Create Healthy Scholarship Council.

“A career in healthcare doesn’t start in nursing school or medical school — it starts in our communities,” said Jayne Pope, RN, CEO and president of Create Healthy. “Create Healthy partners with local organizations that are closest to the students and families who need support the most and put students interested in higher education in healthcare on the path to success.”

Eight Hill Country organizations received funding through Create Healthy’s 2025 scholarship initiative:

• Blanco Education Foundation
• Fredericksburg Academic Boosters Inc
• Fredericksburg Rotary Club Foundation Inc
• Comfort Gaddis United Methodist Church Pass It On Shop
• Harper ISD Parent Teacher Organization Inc
• Johnson City Community Education Foundation
• Llano ISD Educational Foundation
• Mason ISD Scholarship Foundation

“This funding is a blessing because this Create Healthy scholarship is specific to the healthcare industry. We’re very appreciative,” said Chad Lemke, president of the Mason Independent School District Scholarship Foundation, a Create Healthy recipient.

Each group will use the Create Healthy donations to identify and support students with a passion for and interest in healthcare-related fields, from nurses and paramedics to radiology techs and phlebotomists.