SSM Health Foundation in Southern Illinois Awards Fall 2026 Reach for the Sky Nursing Scholarships

Addie Holloway, Alexandria “Allie” Twitchell, and Autumn Badger were selected due to their compassion, dedication to patient care, and commitment to nursing. All three recipients are currently pursuing their Associate Nursing Degree (ADN) at Kaskaskia College in Centralia.

The Reach for the Stars Nursing Scholarship covers 100 percent of tuition, fees, and books invoiced through the student account, plus a $1,500 stipend to assist with additional school-related expenses.

On her selection to receive the Reach for the Stars Nursing Scholarship, Holloway said, “I am incredibly grateful and honored to have been selected as a recipient of this scholarship. SSM Health’s generosity is helping me continue my nursing education and move one step closer to becoming the nurse I’ve always dreamed of being.”

Twitchell expressed similar feelings of excitement and gratitude, saying, “It is truly an honor to be selected for this scholarship, and it is an amazing opportunity to be able to focus all my time and effort into my courses. I am beyond blessed. I will continue to do my best to represent SSM Health and the scholarship program through my dedication to providing quality patient care, excelling in my classes, performing well in clinicals, and continuing my education to help give back to my community and future nurses.”

Badger seconded her colleagues’ sentiments, saying, “Being awarded this scholarship is such a huge blessing, and I am forever grateful to SSM Health and the Reach for the Stars partners. Because of the Reach of the Stars scholarship, I can now focus more on my studies without the stress of tuition, allowing me to have more time for school and time to spend with my son.”

The Reach for the Stars Nursing Scholarship Program is part of SSM Health’s commitment to growing the next generation of nurses and meeting the evolving needs of communities. These scholarships are presented in both the Spring and Fall to employees in the SSM Health St. Louis and Southern Illinois regions.

Reach for the Sky Nursing Scholarships in Southern Illinois are made possible through generous donations to the SSM Health Foundation in Southern Illinois.

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About SSM Health

Nationally recognized for quality and innovation, SSM Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit, fully integrated health system working to advance health equity and empower all people to achieve their full potential.

With care delivery sites in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, SSM Health provides convenient access to high-quality community-based services as well as world-class academic medicine, clinical trials and research studies. The organization’s footprint includes hospitals, physician offices, outpatient and virtual care services, senior care, comprehensive home care and hospice services, a fully transparent pharmacy benefit company, a health insurance company and an accountable care organization. As one of the largest employers in every community it serves, the organization’s 40,000 team members and 15,000 providers are dedicated to fulfilling SSM Health’s Mission: “Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God.” For more information, visit ssmhealth.com or find us on Facebook and LinkedIn.