Dr. Harold (Pete) and Lois Poff Memorial Healthcare Scholarship

pete and lois poff

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About the Scholarship

The Dr. Harold (Pete) and Lois Poff Memorial Healthcare Scholarship was started in 2023 to help graduates from Ashley, Ithaca, Fulton, and Carson City High schools and Alma College Students pursue a career in a healthcare field.

Dr. Poff and Lois both graduated from Enola High School in Enola, Pennsylvania, where they were high school sweethearts. They were married in 1952 while Pete was serving his country in the United States Airforce. After an honorable discharge, they returned to Enola where they started their family. At that time Pete owned his own gas station and later went on to attend Shippensburg State Teachers College while Lois worked as an IBM punch operator. After graduating they moved their family to Kirksville, Missouri, where Pete began his medical career at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, graduating in 1966.

The family’s next move was to Carson City, Michigan, where Pete served his internship at Carson City Hospital.  Following the yearlong internship, they moved to Ashley where Dr. Poff joined the practice at the Ashley clinic. Together they served the Ashley and Elsie communities for 50 years, with Lois working alongside her husband as the office manager. 

Raising their family in Ashley, they were very involved with the Ashley community and consequently influenced several young Ashley men and women to pursue a career in healthcare, including their own three children who all became Osteopathic Physicians.

This scholarship, started by their three children and people whose lives were touched by their presence, honors Pete for his commitment to practicing healthcare in a small town and Lois for her support of and involvement in, the decisions that led them on their journey. Pete passed away in 2018 and Lois in 2020.

Number of Awards and Value

This is a new scholarship fund at the Foundation. The first scholarship will be awarded in the 2024 scholarship cycle.

Requirements

The scholarship will be awarded based on the following criteria for eligibility:

  • Graduates of Ashley, Ithaca, Fulton, Carson City or Alma College (including high school graduating seniors), with preference to Ashley High School graduates.
  • For pursuit of undergraduate or graduate education in a healthcare field.
  • Must demonstrate academic excellence and high moral character.
  • Must provide evidence of service to community.
  • Two letters of recommendation: one from an instructor and one from someone who can attest to the character and morality of the applicant from a non-family member (e.g., teacher, advisor, clergy, etc.).
  • In 500 words or less, submit an essay outlining why you chose a healthcare profession and what you hope to accomplish.
  • Previous recipients may reapply without preference.

 

Scholarship Recipients

Recipients to be listed soon.