SOUTHBRIDGE -  In 1959, the Harrington Auxiliary awarded its first scholarship to a student planning to pursue a career in healthcare. Since that time, the Auxiliary has been proud to carry on the annual tradition.

In spite of scaled-down fundraising during 2020, the Harrington Auxiliary Scholarship Committee was honored to award $10,000 in scholarships this year. Students residing in the communities served by the Harrington Health Care System were invited to apply for one of the scholarships. More than 40 students submitted applications, with at least one student representing many of the communities in the Harrington Hospital service area. Each scholarship winner received $2,000.

Recipient Lauren Chase, a graduate of Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School, plans to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner with an emphasis on women’s health at the University of Rhode Island.

Love of children prompted Caitlin Young, also a graduate of Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School, to continue her studies at Regis College with the goal of becoming a neonatal intensive care nurse. Young earned a 4.4 GPA and was named valedictorian of the senior class.

Woodstock Academy graduate Sophia Mawson will be studying endocrinology at Southeastern University in Florida.  Active in both school and community, she has also endured personal health conditions. 

Auburn High School graduate Emily Dubois received an excellent reference from her guidance counselor and will attend Fairfield University where she plans to “become the best nurse she can be.” 

Jenna Wade recently completed her studies at Quaboag Regional Middle High School in Warren.  Inspired by excellent nursing care when she was young, she will be studying nursing at Worcester State University.

Additionally, the Auxiliary awarded the $1,000 Dr. Robert Van Vooren Scholarship, which is given to Harrington Hospital employees, to Emily Goncalves.

This scholarship has been awarded annually since 1954 in memory of Dr. Robert Van Vooren, a pioneer in advocating cardiac rehabilitation services long before they became common practice.  Every year, the Harrington Hospital “Cardiac Gang” raises money to support this scholarship program.

Harrington Auxiliary, established in 1932, is a non-profit organization of dedicated and impassioned volunteers whose mission is to support and enhance the excellent services provided to the 25 communities the Harrington HealthCare System serves in MA and CT.