The St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary wants to shed light on a growing problem — the nation’s shortage of trained and qualified healthcare professionals to care for an aging population. To do so, the auxiliary has announced scholarship awards and renewals to several students from the area.
Abigail Hall, daughter of Richard and Angela Hall of Columbus, has been awarded the 2012 St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary Katherine Kirby Nursing Scholarship. Hall has been accepted into the nursing program at Western Carolina University.

At Polk County High School, Hall was treasurer of Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA), a member of the National Honor Society and the chorus. She was also a program leader with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She has volunteered at Christ Community Church Soup Kitchen and events at Sunny View Elementary School. Among her hobbies are gardening, jewelry making, photography, video production, tennis and ultimate frisbee. She has worked as a lifeguard and assistant swimming instructor at Gibson Park Pool.
Shyann Cook, daughter of Scott and Regina Cook of Rutherfordton, has been awarded a St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship to study nursing at Isothermal Community College.
Cook was a member of HOSA at Polk County High School, as well as Interact. She was also a member of her church youth group. She has volunteered for the Red Cross and assisted with vision screenings at Sunny View Elementary while attending PCHS. She enjoys swimming, hiking and softball in her spare time. She works at Sunny Mountain Restaurant.

Mary Potter, daughter of Gwen Painter of Campobello, S.C. and Les Potter of Columbus, is also the recipient of a St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship. She plans to study nursing at Gardner-Webb University.
While at Landrum High School, Potter was a member of Beta Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Technical Honor Society and Foothills Americorps. She was a varsity soccer player. At New Testament Christian Fellowship, she was a youth leader. Among her hobbies and activities are participation on five dance competition teams, volunteering for her church and Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.

Gail Parres, a volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospital, has been awarded a scholarship to assist in her pursuit of a degree as an Occupational Therapy Assistant at Greenville Technical College.
Ashley Monk, a 2010 graduate of Polk County High School, has received a renewal of her St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary Katherine Kirby Nursing Scholarship. She is continuing her studies in nursing at Gardner-Webb University.
Katarina Hernandez, a 2009 graduate of Polk County High School, has received a renewal of her St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship. She will study nursing at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington in the fall.
Jane Leonard and Reba Williams, nurses at St. Luke’s Hospital, were awarded scholarships to assist in the completion of a masters in nursing at Gardner-Webb University.
Lynette Williams, a 2010 graduate of Polk County High School, received a scholarship to study nursing at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.
For more information about the auxiliary team, call Gayle Cook, St. Luke’s Volunteer Coordinator, at 828-894-0895.
The auxiliary is proud to have 150 members who assist with varying needs of St. Luke’s Hospital, a private, not-for-profit community hospital.
– article submitted by Jennifer Wilson