PARIS The Paris Community Hospital Volunteers recently announced the winners of three health care scholarships for the 2012-2013 school year.

Two of the recipients are graduating high school seniors and the third is a registered nurse who will continue her health care education.

High school seniors Alexis Fiscus and Lauren Funkhouser of Paris each will receive a one-year, $1,000 college scholarship to further their education in the healthcare field. In addition, Leslie Brown, Wound Care Center manager at PCH, will receive a one-year, $1,000 scholarship to advance her nursing education.

Fiscus, who attends Paris Cooperative High School, will pursue a nursing degree at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She recently completed the Health Occupations Program at PCH/FMC, which helps students prepare for their certified nursing assistant state exam.

I want to specialize in emergency medicine with the hope of one day becoming a flight nurse, she said. I have chosen nursing because there is no greater contribution I can think of to give back to my community.

Funkhouser, who is homeschooled, will pursue a degree as a physical therapy assistant at Lake Land College.

I have always been fascinated by the human body and how God created it to function, she said. My desire is to see people enjoy their physical life because of the care I am able to provide.

Brown, a Marshall resident and wound care-certified nurse at PCH/FMC, will pursue certification as a wound, ostomy and continence nurse through the WebWOC Nursing Education Program. The School of Nursing at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minn., is the academic partner for the online program.

I have been a nurse since 1995 and cant imagine not having a career in healthcare, she said. Helping people get better is a wonderful thing.

The PCH Volunteers conduct several events throughout the year to help fund the annual scholarships, including chocolate sales and book sales. Funds for the scholarships also come from proceeds from the hospital gift shop.

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PCH announces health care scholarship winners