Methodist Jennie Edmundson Pharmacy Intern Awarded Iowa Hospital Education and Research Foundation Scholarship

Brittni Foster, a Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital pharmacy intern, was awarded a $3,500 scholarship from the Iowa Hospital Education and Research Foundation (IHERF), which is supported by the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA). She was among 62 outstanding students from across Iowa selected to receive assistance this year from the IHERF Health Care Careers Scholarship Program.

”I am very grateful to the IHA for allowing me the opportunity to do what I really enjoy,” said Foster, a native of Clarinda, Iowa. “Every bit helps in paying for an education in health care. I am extremely appreciative of the IHA and its IHERF program.”

A six-year member of Jennie Edmundson’s pharmacy department, Foster has made a strong impression among her coworkers as well. 

“Brittni is an integral part of our department,” pharmacy director Melanie Ryan said. “She began as a pharmacy technician prior to starting pharmacy school and now works as a pharmacy intern. Brittni goes above and beyond not only for our department, but also for patients. She is detail-oriented, takes pride in her work and always has a friendly smile on her face. Brittni will make an excellent pharmacist when she graduates from Creighton next May.”

Foster’s desire to pursue a career in pharmacy is no accident.

“I knew as soon as I joined this group at Jennie that becoming a pharmacist is what I wanted to do,” she said. “The team is so professional, unified and supportive. Not just of each other, but of every other department at Jennie. They put the patient first at every opportunity. Their dedication and love of the job really inspired me to do the same.”

Iowa hospitals established the scholarship program in 2004 to help address the ongoing shortage of health care professionals and encourage young Iowans to remain in the state as they establish their careers. Since its inception, 560 students have benefited from the program and over $1.8 million has been awarded.

In exchange for financial support, recipients agree to work at least one year in an Iowa hospital for each year they receive an award, helping to stabilize and enhance Iowa’s hospital workforce. Today, more than 327 scholarship recipients are working in Iowa hospitals.

“We are very proud to support these high-achieving students who help Iowa hospitals continue their tradition of high-quality health care,” IHA President and CEO Kirk Norris said.

Hospital leaders from all parts of the state evaluated scholarship applications from hundreds of students. Applicants were judged on grade-point average, a written personal statement, letters of reference and extracurricular, community and health care-related activities.