Hagerstown senior is first recipient of new scholarship honoring Culberson family
Reid Health Vice President Jason Troutwine (left) and Director of EMS, Forensics, and Trauma Services Ryan Williams (right) presented Hagerstown senior Hannah Tracy (center) with the Culberson Family & Reid Health Scholarship.
June 3, 2022 -- A future first-generation college student with plans to pursue a career in nursing is the first recipient of a new scholarship that honors a Hagerstown family's five decades of service to the community.
Hannah Tracy was presented with the Culberson Family & Reid Health Scholarship during Hagerstown High School's Honors Program on Thursday night. The award is a one-year scholarship of $1,000 to a graduating Hagerstown student who intends to seek a degree or certificate in healthcare, emergency services, or mortuary science.
The announcement was made by a pair of Reid Health staff members, Vice President Jason Troutwine and Director of EMS, Forensics, and Trauma Services Ryan Williams, himself a Hagerstown alum.
Tracy plans to pursue a career in nursing at IUPUI and eventually continue to graduate school to become a pediatric nurse practitioner. She's a member of the National Honor Society who served in student government throughout high school, was a student-athlete, and finished near the top of her class academically.
In her application essay, Tracy said an internship at a local health facility showed her the difference she can make in others' lives.
"My mom was in the nursing field," Tracy said. "When I was able to job shadow at a pediatric office during high school, I just fell in love with it."
The scholarship carries the name of the family that operated Culberson Ambulance Service in the Hagerstown area for more than 50 years. Owner Rick Culberson recently retired, and service transitioned to Reid Health EMS at the beginning of this year.
The Culberson family was contacted and advised of the new scholarship. They were very pleased to know of the honor and how it will create opportunities for Hagerstown students in the future.
"This scholarship is a celebration of the legacy of Rick and his family. What better way to honor their many years of service than to help young people follow in their footsteps by pursuing careers in healthcare, particularly as nurses and EMTs." -- Craig Kinyon, Reid Health President/CEO
Reid officials worked with the Wayne County Foundation to establish the endowed scholarship in honor of Culberson and his family's many years of dedication to the community.
"We are pleased to play a small role in honoring the Culberson family," said Rebecca Gilliam, Executive Director of the Wayne County Foundation. "The scholarship will have a long-term impact in Wayne County by supporting Hagerstown students, like Hannah, with their career goals."
"This scholarship is a celebration of the legacy of Rick and his family," said Craig Kinyon, Reid Health President/CEO. "What better way to honor their many years of service than to help young people follow in their footsteps by pursuing careers in healthcare, particularly as nurses and EMTs."