John Baumann and Lucy Griffith, both Mt. Zion High School graduates, and Dhanika Taruc, a graduate of St. Teresa High School in Decatur, were each awarded $5,000 as recipients of a DMH Auxiliary Health Care Support Professionals Scholarship.

Baumann is a 2022 Mt. Zion High School graduate. He will attend University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as a freshman pursuing a degree in interdisciplinary health sciences. Baumann served as a junior volunteer and is currently employed as a patient transporter at Decatur Memorial Hospital.

Griffith is a 2021 Mt. Zion High School graduate. She will attend University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as a sophomore pursuing a degree in biology. Griffith serves as a volunteer at Decatur Memorial Hospital.

Taruc is a 2022 St. Teresa High School graduate. She will attend Millikin University as a freshman pursuing a degree in nursing.

Graduates of any Macon County high school may apply to receive one of the three DMH Auxiliary Health Care Support Professionals Scholarships. The applicants must be pursuing a degree at a two- or four-year college in the field of health care support. Examples of health care support professionals include nurses, X-ray technicians, laboratory technicians and pharmacy technicians.

“The auxiliary members established this annual scholarship program to help foster the next generation of hospital support staff,” said Darla Weltmer, president of the Decatur Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. “Skilled, educated hospital support staff members are vital to a great patient experience and allow Decatur Memorial Hospital to continue to deliver the best possible care to our patients.”

To obtain a 2023 scholarship application, visit memorial.health/dmf and click on the Grants and Scholarships tab.