DR. WILLARD C. SCRIVNER PUBLIC HEALTH FOUNDATION

Dr. Jan Attala Allen Public Health Nursing Scholarship

The Allen Scholarship, sponsored by the Dr. Willard C. Scrivner Public Health Foundation, will provide a $1,500 scholarship to a professional nurse who is pursuing, or intends to pursue, an advanced degree (Master’s, Doctorate, Practice Doctorate, or PhD) to help meet the health needs of Southwestern Illinois.

Overview

Perhaps the single most important avenue to improving the health of individuals and the public as a whole is education. Named in honor of Janice Attala Allen, PhD., the Foundation Board of Directors has established a Scholarship for nurses who want to pursue an advanced degree. In keeping with Dr. Scrivner’s lifelong commitment to promoting public health and education, students who are enrolled or accepted in a Master’s, Doctorate, Practice Doctorate or PhD program in public health nursing, community health nursing, nurse practitioner, or nursing/health education are eligible for this scholarship. Note for those enrolled in PhD programs, the degree need not be in nursing, as long as the intent is to teach nursing. Applicants may be taking classes or have advanced to candidacy (writing dissertation or other final paper/project). The applicant may be a full-time or part-time student. To qualify the applicant must be a resident of St. Clair County, IL (permanent address).

General Information

The Dr. Allen Public Health Nursing Scholarship is open to any professional nurse pursuing an advanced degree in nursing. Under the guidelines of the program, selection of a scholarship recipient will be based upon the judging criteria.

Application Procedure

1. Application packets will be made available by request or at local colleges/universities.
2. The applicants are to complete Parts I, II, and III of the application.
3. Completed forms should be sent to the Foundation no later than April 1, 2025.  Staff will assign each applicant an “applicant number” to ensure impartiality in judging and forward the application to the Scholarship Committee.

Selection Process

Application judging will be conducted in two phases:

Phase One

Staff will assign the applicant an “applicant number” to ensure impartiality in judging.  Applications will be reviewed to ensure eligibility and completeness.  Those applications meeting the eligibility requirements will be forwarded to the Scholarship Committee.

Phase Two

The Scholarship Committee will review the applications screened in Phase One.  A determination of the finalists for the Allen Scholarship will be made based upon the Judging Criteria.  The Committee will present the finalists and a recommendation for the scholarship award to the Foundation Board for approval.

Judging Criteria

Selection will be based on the applicant’s current practice, area of interest, community service and career goals:

• Are they consistent with the Foundation’s Mission and Values?
• Do they address one or more of the Strategic Issues identified in the Community Health Plan?

1. Strengthen the Public Health Workforce
2. Improve Behavioral Health Services
3. Improve health outcomes for cardiovascular diseases, maternal and child health and respiratory diseases
4. Create a broader sense of community connectedness
5. Improve health services to the aging population
6. Improve access to care

To be considered for a scholarship, the applicant:

• shall be a professional nurse who is enrolled and accepted into an advanced degree program.
• shall submit degrees earned, work history, license and any certification information.
• shall submit a three page (double spaced) essay describing:
  1) Career Goals;
  2) How this scholarship will help them meet their career goals;
  3) How their pursuit of this advanced degree will address the health needs of the region (See Judging Criteria)
• shall include proof of enrollment & acceptance to a degree program
• shall submit two to three letters of recommendation.
• Must be a permanent resident of St. Clair County, IL

Deadline for filing for the 2025 scholarship is April 1, 2025. The winner will be notified in writing by May 1, 2025. The scholarship will be a one-time award for one year.

All information submitted in this application will be confidential. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. If you have questions, please contact Kristy at (618) 233-7769, ext. 4459.