OGDENSBURG – The Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center Auxiliary has recently awarded two new Non-Traditional Adult Scholarships to help employees of Claxton-Hepburn Medical Campus, to further their education in healthcare.

All applicants for this scholarship must be at least 25 years old, enrolled in a healthcare field of study, must be currently employed at one of the listed locations below, and have completed at least one year of higher education.

They must be currently employed at one of the following locations: Claxton-Hepburn Medical Campus, Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center Behavioral Health Center, Canton Health Center, Heuvelton Health Center, Hammond Health Center, Madrid Health Center, Waddington Health Center, Claxton-Hepburn Health Center, Claxton-Hepburn Convenient Care, Richard E. Winter Cancer Treatment Center, Thomas Patterson Wound Healing Center, Ravinder Agarwal Renal Center, Claxton Medical Family Medicine Clinic, Claxton Medical Pain Management, Claxton Hepburn Pediatrics Clinic, or Claxton Medical General Surgery.

Scholarship winners were Lorraine Hollis and Erica Downey.

Hollis is currently attending Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service seeking her Master of Social Work. She is employed as a Treatment Coordinator at Claxton-Hepburn Inpatient Adult Behavioral Health Center. Hollis has been employed by Claxton–Hepburn since January 2022.

Her goal: Get her Master of Social Work and soon after get her license to become a Licensed Master Social Worker. Family, Community, and Volunteering are most important to Lorraine.

Downey is currently attending SUNY Canton in Healthcare Management. She is currently employed in the Informatics Department at Claxton-Hepburn as an Informatics Coordinator/Clinical Analyst. She has also worked as a dedicated nurse in multiple settings. Downey has been employed by Claxton-Hepburn since 2001.

Her goal: Get her Bachelor’s in Healthcare Management. Balancing her roles, she strives to create a nurturing environment for her family while pursuing her personal and professional goals.

The CHMC Auxiliary also presented $1,000 scholarships to eight high school seniors wwho will be entering the healthcare field.

Four scholarships were awarded to a graduating child or grandchild of an Employee or of an Auxilian of Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, Ogdensburg Campus and area Health Centers.

Four scholarships were awarded to a graduating senior in one of the area school districts (Ogdensburg, Canton, Lisbon, Heuvelton, Morristown, Madrid-Waddington, or Hammond) For this scholarship you do not need a parent or grandparent employed at CHMC or to be a member of the CHMC Auxiliary.

The recipients are Caleb Wilkinson, Lisbon Central School, Class Rank: 5 of 54 with a GPA of 92.51. Wilkinson will be attending SUNY Canton for one year majoring in Healthcare Management and then transferring to SUNY Binghamton in the Fall 2026 majoring in Pharmaceutical Science. He is the son of employee Julia Wilkinson and her husband Kevin.

“I’m going to be a Pharmacist and hope to one day own my own business,” he stated. He will be attending college for a minimum of 6 years for his doctorate degree. He was a member of Jr. National Honor Society, National Honor Society, All County Band for four years and was class for three years. Awards received in all sports; basketball, soccer, track indoor/outdoor, band, marching band. Out of school activities include skiing, hiking, volleyball, golf, part-time job working as a Weight Room attendant for the last year.

Raelee Downs, Morristown Central School, Class Rank: 6 of 29 with a GPA of 94.54. She is the daughter of employee Nicole and husband John Downs. Downs will be attending SUNY Canton in the Fall in the Nursing program.

Downs was the student representative for the Morristown Central School District Board of Education. Her goal: To become a successful nurse, eventually a Nurse Practitioner. My current goal is to help women’s health in our local areas. Out of school activities include baking and working part-time.

Bryan Doser, Ogdensburg Free Academy, Class Rank: 4 of 119 with a GPA of 97.25. Doser will be attending St. Lawrence University in the Fall. He is the son of employee Amy Doser and her husband Robert - Healthcare Field: Physician.

His goal: “My goals for life are to help my community and be successful in life”. Class Treasurer, 9th Grade, Football Team Captain, Alan Krause Award, Athlete of Distinction, Sportsmanship Award, Coach’s Award, Student of the Month - October 2022, Football, Hockey, Lacrosse, Jazz Band; Community Service: Lights on the River Cleanup, Elk’s Club Santa Visit Helper, coached youth box lacrosse - Out of School Activities: Volunteer Work, Jobs Lifeguarding at the City Pool, McDonald’s and refereeing Hockey and Football; High Honor Roll, National Honor Society.

Kaydence Stull, Ogdensburg Free Academy, Class Rank: 23 of 117 with a GPA of 93.16. Stull will be attending SUNY Canton in the Fall; she is the step daughter to employee Jamieka Stull; Healthcare Field: Nursing - Bachelor of Science Dual Degree Program.

Goals for Life: To successfully complete her BSN at SUNY Canton and then further her education to become a Nurse Practitioner while working as a Registered Nurse. Her ultimate goal through her education is to improve Health Care Services here in the North Country. Member of Key Club, National Honor Society, High Honor Roll - 4 years.

In her free time she likes to visit St. Joseph’s Nursing Home to spend individual time with the residents that she came to know through her employment. Out of School Activities: Activities Aide at St. Joseph’s Nursing Home. Provides home care for an individual on a weekly basis. Her employment at St. Joseph’s Nursing Home created her passion and commitment to the medical field, while also showing her the need for better health services in the community.

Julia Johnson, Ogdensburg Free Academy, Class Rank: 8 of 117 with a GPA of 96.13. She will  be attending Elmira College in the Fall, Healthcare Field: Nursing.

Goals for Life: Continue to make an impact in people’s lives, especially in my career and to make the best out of everything. Earth Club Secretary and Vice President, Drama Club President, National Honor Society and Honor Roll - 4 years, Jazz Rock, Choir, Drama Club, Marching Band, Band, Out of School Activities: Part-Time Job at local nursing home and Dance.

Madison Burnett, Heuvelton Central School, Class Rank: 11 of 35 with a GPA of 88.47. She will be attending SUNY Plattsburgh in the Fall, Healthcare Field: Nursing.

Goals for Life: Bachelors of Nursing at SUNY Plattsburgh and long term goal to become a Nurse Practitioner; National Jr. Honor Society, National Honor Society, Softball, Prom Committee, Yearbook Committee, American Red Cross, Out of School Activities: MASH Camp, Shadowed Occupational Therapy at Claxton-Hepburn, works as Dietary Aide at St. Joseph’s Nursing Home, Childcare provider.

Maeve Putman, Ogdensburg Free Academy, Class Rank: 11 of 117 with a GPA of 95.72; attending Rochester Institute of Technology in the Fall,, Healthcare Field: Physician Assistant BS/MS Program.

Extracurricular Activities: Chorus, All State Choir, All County Choir, Jazz Rock, School Musicals, Band, Marching Band, Art Club, Earth Club, Prom Committee, Student Council, Class President, Whiz Quiz, American Legion Jr. Auxiliary Member; Other Community Service: Red Cross, Ogdensburg Public Library Activities, Student Orientations, St. Vincent de Paul - Project Gabriel, Winter Track, Spring Track, Cross Country, Out of School: Works at Sweet Emilie’s Coffee & Ice Cream, Dog Sitter, High Honor Roll, National Honor Society.

Sara Aldous, Hugh C. Williams Canton Senior High School, Class Rank: 12 of 83 with a GPA of 93.74; attending SUNY Canton in the Fall, Healthcare Field: Nursing (RN and BSN)

Goals for Life: She believes as a registered nurse she can make a difference. She wants to enter the healthcare field because she wants people to feel seen, valued and heard. She wants to help people through vulnerable situations and show them it doesn’t define who they are. She hopes to specialize in Labor and Delivery and possibly continue on to be a Nurse Practitioner.

She was selected to be an Ambassador at the HOBY Youth Leadership Conference in 2023. High Honor Roll - 4 yrs, Academic All Northern, National Honor Society, School Council, School Yearbook, Basketball, Soccer, Lacrosse, Hobbies: hunting, training and leading cows at local fairs, skiing and waterskiing, Member of Canton Kids Care, Coach Canton Pee Wee Association, Tutor at Canton Central School, Volunteer at International Student Services and Local Benefits, Out of School Activities: Housecleaner, Childcare Provider, Lifeguard, Waitress Mission Statement of the CHMC Auxiliary is to support the Medical Center community through volunteerism, advocacy and fundraising.

For more information on becoming a member of the CHMC Auxiliary, please contact CHMC Auxiliary Manager Ramona Kennedy at 315-393-1559 or email her at rkennedy@chmed.org