Quinn Camfield of Mattoon is one of thousands to benefit from Sarah Bush Lincoln’s Guild Scholarship Program. Camfield is currently a junior at Eastern Illinois University, studying to become a physician assistant and is appreciative of the support the scholarship provides.
The SBL Guild is honored to award scholarships to area students like Camfield who are pursuing their education in healthcare-related fields. The Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Foundation raises funds to support the Guild Scholarship Program through Cheers!, a high-energy cocktail party and dance, now in its 36th year. The public is invited to purchase tickets to the March 7th event at the Thelma Keller Convention Center in Effingham. Tickets are $75 each.
Camfield was inspired to pursue medicine after taking health occupation classes in high school and observing a trauma situation during one of his clinical rotations at Sarah Bush Lincoln. “As I watched the nurses, technicians, doctors and respiratory therapist work, I instantly felt an urge to be part of a team that could make a difference in the patient’s outcome. The rush and desire to do anything and everything they could to help the patient motivated me to pursue a career in healthcare,” he said.
Prior to enrolling in pre-physician assistant studies at EIU, Camfield earned a certified nursing assistant license from Lake Land College and a degree in respiratory therapy from Kaskaskia College. In addition to going to school, he currently works as a respiratory therapist in the evenings at Sarah Bush Lincoln.
Camfield is grateful to the SBL Guild for awarding him two scholarships. “The scholarships have helped me in multiple ways. It has obviously helped with tuition costs, but receiving the scholarships inspired me even more to do well in the classroom,” he said. “It’s important to me to maintain the support of a leading provider in the healthcare industry that provides opportunities for healthcare workers of tomorrow.”
Cheers! begins with a social hour at 6 pm, followed by heavy hors d’oeuvres and a dance from 7 to 11 pm. Organizers are excited to have the band 8 South from Nashville, TN as the entertainment for a second year. The band is known for being able to perform a wide variety of music from Motown to Rock to Hip Hop, Country, Pop, and Jazz.
As part of the night’s activities, participants can purchase tickets for a chance to win jewelry donated by Towne Square Jewelers of Charleston, during an event called Booze & Bling. With each ticket purchased, participants will get to choose one flight from one of four tasting stations: wine, whiskey, moonshine or cordials. In addition, a coffee & cookie bar, and a popcorn and snack-mix station will be offered as the evening comes to a close.
Another way to support the Guild Scholarship Program is to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win a Southern Missouri Wine Package valued at more than $1,000. The package includes a tour and tasting for up to 10 people at Les Bourgeois Vineyards, Rocheport, MO, and a complimentary bottle of wine; dinner for two at Abigail’s in Rocheport’s historic section; a two-night stay at the quaint School House B & B; a $400 gift certificate from Hermann Hill Vineyard & Inn, Herman, MO, that can be used for spa services, product or accommodations; a $50 gas card and more. The winning ticket for the trip will be drawn during Cheers! on March 7. You need not be present to win.
Since 1979, the Volunteer Guild has awarded more than $700,000 in scholarships to students in a 10-county area who are pursuing their education in medically-related fields. Qualified areas of study include, but are not limited to nursing, medical technology, radiology, physical therapy, pharmacy, dietetics, medical coding, and speech pathology. The school to be attended must be accredited or recognized as an approved program by the appropriate agencies. Scholarships are awarded for an academic year and are based on a student’s scholastic achievement, financial need and the availability of funds. This year’s scholarship application deadline is April 15. Selection of recipients is made in early May.
For more information about scholarships or to submit an application, contact Tracy Haddock, Volunteer Services Supervisor, at Sarah Bush Lincoln at (217) 258-4180. Scholarship applications can also be completed online by visiting www.sarahbush.org.
For more information about Cheers!, or to purchase a dance or raffle ticket, contact the SBL Health Foundation at (217) 258-2511.