Redwood Memorial Foundation’s 27-year scholarship program helps local students pursue medical careers 

Since 1998, Redwood Memorial Foundation’s scholarship program has been quietly building the future of health care in Humboldt County. With more than $162,000 awarded to date, this vital initiative has grown from distributing $6,000 annually to a robust $10,000 program in 2025, reflecting the foundation’s commitment to addressing the region’s critical health care workforce needs.

What sets this scholarship apart is its comprehensive approach to supporting health care education. Rather than limiting awards to high school seniors, the program embraces students at all levels of their educational journey — from recent graduates to seasoned professionals seeking continuing education. Redwood Memorial Hospital employees can apply for professional development opportunities, while community members pursuing health care careers receive support throughout their academic progression.

“I serve on a few scholarship committees, and we all have had the same conversation. There are a lot of opportunities for high school seniors, but once you get into that second, third and fourth year of college, those wells seem to dry up a little bit,” said Sarah Mora, Redwood Memorial Foundation Board Chair.

“The unique thing about this is we are rewarding the people who have actually made a commitment to their chosen profession.”

This philosophy recognizes that students in their later years of study demonstrated genuine dedication to health care careers, from nursing and pharmacology to radiology and specialized medical fields.

The program serves residents of the Eel River Valley, Southern Humboldt and Southern Trinity areas, with a hopeful eye toward graduates returning to serve their home communities. Mary Johnson, scholarship committee chair, whose daughter received the scholarship twice while pursuing her pharmacology degree, emphasizes the program’s practical impact: “Young people are our future, and school just keeps getting more expensive.”

Another unique aspect is that students can reapply for support, acknowledging that health care education often spans multiple years and significant financial investment. This flexibility has enabled recipients to receive consecutive years of support.

“This is a labor of love for us,” says Mary. “We want to support these community members in pursuing their dreams.”