FMDH Foundation Announces 2023 Medical Field Scholarship Recipients

The Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital (FMDH) Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of the 2023 medical field scholarships. The FMDH Foundation scholarship program started in 1990, with the first family memorial gift given in 1989 by Frank Heckner. With several generous gifts in the last few years, we have a total of 10 named scholarships. In order to have a named scholarship, a donation of $10,000 or more must be donated to the FMDH Foundation. It is a great way to honor a family member, continuing their legacy and passion for great healthcare in our community, by financially helping our local medical students.

This year, the FMDH Foundation awarded 20 scholarships with a total of $30,000 given to the following students:

The Frank Heckner Scholarship was established Oct. 19, 1989, by Frank Heckner. Mr. Heckner was a bachelor who farmed in the Richland, Mont., community. He was a great supporter of Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital and the Foundation. The awardees are:

Cash Salsbury graduated from Malta High School in 2022 and is enrolled at the University of Montana Western to obtain a degree in Kinesiology. He is expected to graduate in the spring of 2026 and after graduation, he will attend chiropractic school to become a licensed chiropractor.

Anika Peters graduated from Glasgow High School (GHS) in 2020 and is enrolled at the University of South Dakota to become a Doctor of Occupational Therapy. She plans to graduate in the spring of 2026 with a specialization in pediatrics. She’s involved in Future Health Science Professionals Club and is a volunteer volleyball coach for kids.

The Theo and Alyce Beck Memorial Scholarship was established Dec. 16, 1996. The trust was established to provide financial assistance to students from the Valley County area entering any medical field. The awardees are:

Ellie Page graduated from GHS in 2019. She is enrolled at the University of Mary to obtain her doctoral degree in Physical Therapy. She is expected to graduate in the spring of 2025. In the last year, Ellie has become interested in pelvic health physical therapy, specially postpartum care for women.

Khloe Krumwiede graduated from GHS in 2017. She is currently enrolled at Palmer College of Chiropractic to obtain her Doctor of Chiropractic. She will graduate in December 2024. This fall, she will receive her white coat and being working in the clinic. Her goal is to specialize in pre-natal, post-natal and pediatric treatment.

The Anna Berge Memorial Scholarship was established in 2008. Anna was a teacher in Hinsdale for many years and her belief in education created this scholarship to help graduates of Valley County continue their education in their chosen medical field.

The awardees are:

Benjamin Phillips graduated from GHS in 2017. He is currently enrolled at the University of Montana to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy (PT). He plans to graduate in May of 2026. In 2021, he was an Olympic trials qualifier and First-Team NCAA All-American. He believes that PT is just as much about building positive, committed relationships with the patients as it is being able to treat them effectively and this is a key reason why he chooses this field of study.

Kaylee Ross graduated from Glasgow High School in 2020. She is currently enrolled at Brigham Young University to obtain a degree in Public Health with a minor in Health Sciences. This will enable her to apply for a Physician Assistant post graduate program. She plans to graduate in 2027 and her goal is to return to Glasgow or another rural community in Montana. This summer, she is completing a Public Health Administration internship at FMDH as well as working as a medical assistant and gymnastics coach.

The Helen Tihista Marks Nursing Scholarship was established in 2011 by her four children. Helen served FMDH for over 50 years, starting as a nurse’s aide at the age of 15. This scholarship was created to help graduates of Valley and Phillips County pursue their dream of becoming a nurse.

Brett Chatten graduated from GHS in 2016. She is currently enrolled at Minot State University to obtain a degree in Nursing. She expects to graduate in the spring of 2026. She hopes to work in trauma or Home Health. She has a degree in Crop Science from MSU Bozeman but has gone back to school to become a nurse after working as an in-home caregiver in college. She loves helping and taking care of people and looks forward to doing that in the future.

Kenna Anderson graduated from GHS in 2020. She is currently enrolled at Flathead Valley Community College to obtain a degree in Nursing. She plans to graduate in the spring of 2024. Working at Valley View Nursing Home in high school sparked her journey to become a nurse, in addition to family members being nurses and doctors.

The Vera Terry Nursing Scholarship was established in 2013 by her daughter. Vera started her nursing career at a young age and it became her passion as she worked at FMDH. This scholarship was created to help graduates of northeastern Montana pursue a nursing degree. The awardee for both is:

Tori Kaufman graduated from Glasgow High School in 2005. She is currently enrolled at MSU – Bozeman to receive her Doctor of Nursing Practice specializing in psychiatric mental health. This will allow her to diagnose mental health illnesses, prescribe appropriate medications, and provide therapy to patients as an independent practitioner. She is also obtaining a minor in nursing education to become a Certified Nurse Educator. She will graduate in May of 2024.

Klaire Krumwiede graduated from Glasgow High School in 2022. She is currently enrolled at the University of North Dakota to obtain a degree in Nursing. She will graduate in the fall of 2026. She is currently a Student Ambassador at UND and volunteers through sorority life and at the School of the Blind. She is excited to dedicate herself to her future patients, making sure they can be the best they can be!

The Donald J. Baker Scholarship was established in 2017. Mr. Baker had a passion for the area he grew up and carried that with him to the end. He passed away in January of 2016 unexpectedly. He was an avid traveler and outdoorsman. This scholarship is to encourage students from here, you can do anything you set your mind to. The awardees are:

Chloe Koessl graduated from Nashua High School in 2016. She is currently in year three at the University of Washington School of Medicine to obtain her M.D. She has worked at FMDH since 2004 in various capacities like being a CNA and being part of the EMS crew. She was the 2022 recipient of the UW School of Medicine Service award and the WWAMI pro recognition award for “excellence, integrity, compassion, altruism and accountability.” She plans to graduate in 2025 and then proceed to a residency program. She hopes to return to FMDH as a physician for our community.

Wilson Overby graduated from GHS in 2020. He is currently enrolled at Brigham Young University to obtain a degree in Biochemistry. He will graduate in the spring of 2026. Following graduation, he intends to attend medical school and complete a family medicine residency.

The Sever & Esther Enkerud Nursing Scholarship was established in 2019. Sever wanted to honor his wife, Ester, who had a dream to become a nurse when she was a young girl and pursued it passionately. Ester passed away in 2015 and Sever is happy to help local students pursue their nursing dreams. The awardee is:

Cordelia Nickels graduated from GHS in 2019 and is currently enrolled at MSU-Bozeman pursuing a degree in Nursing. She plans to graduate in the spring of 2024. She currently works at St. Vincent’s in Billings as a CAN/ER Tech. Her goal is to become a flight nurse; however, she would like experience in the emergency room with more trauma experience first.

The Deborah Guenther Nursing Scholarship was established in 2019 by Keith & Deborah Guenther. Deborah has been a Perioperative nurse since 1986, and upon retirement wanted to give back. Keith and Deborah believe in the importance of a nursing education, including certification, and how it relates to the quality of care. This scholarship supports the nursing education and standards of care practiced when obtaining a degree or continuing to gain certification. The awardee is:

Melissa Leckie graduated from Helena High School in 2005. She is currently enrolled at Walden University to become a Family Nurse Practitioner with the goal of being a women’s health nurse practitioner. She plans to graduate in January 2025. In 2012, she graduated from Dakota College of Nursing. In 2014, she obtained her BSN online through Grand Canyon University. She has been a registered nurse at FMDH since 2014. She knows that women’s health, especially in rural areas, is an underserved demographic. She wants to join the healthcare providers of this community in the continued efforts toward a solution.

Macy Rose graduated from Huntley Project High School in 2022. She is currently enrolled at Williston State College to obtain a degree in Nursing. She plans to graduate in the spring of 2025. She is currently a CNA at FMDH. She is drawn to nursing because she wants to contribute to the well-being of individuals, families, and communities and be one source of comfort and support during some of the hardest times in their lives.

The Richard Winderl Scholarship was established in July 2020. Richard was a lifelong Valley County resident and the “neighborhood watchman.” He continues watching over the community he loved so much with his gift to the scholarship fund, helping to encourage our rural students down a medical path of success. The awardees are:

JoLynn Capdeville graduated from GHS in 2014. She has completed her second year at Roseman University of Health Sciences in Utah pursuing her DMD and plans to graduate in 2025. She has been selected to sit on Roseman University’s Patient Assistance Fund, where she is the current President. This philanthropic committee awards funds to Roseman University Dental Clinic patients who are facing financial barriers to oral care. She plans to come back to northeast Montana to provide her expertise to the community that aided in shaping her into who she is today!

Trevor Toavs graduated in 2016 from GHS. He completed his second year at Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University in Providence, R.I., to become a Doctor of Medicine with a Master of Science in Population Medicine. He expects to graduate in 2025. He volunteers with the Teddy Bear Clinic which teaches middle school students about health topics and “My Life, My Story” which interviews elderly community members and documents their life stories. He is excited to one day have a positive impact not only on the lives of his future patients but also on his community in rural northeast Montana.

The Audrey & Gerald Feda Scholarship is in memory of Audrey & Gerald Feda and their commitment to this community. The awardees are:

Jesi Kennedy graduated from GHS in 2018. She is enrolled at the University of Washington’s School of Medicine to become an M.D. She will graduate in 2026. She has worked as a Family Support Assistant at Youth Dynamics which accelerated her passion for mental health. Some of her favorite moments at school have included helping at the Neighborhood Health Initiative during clinic. She has done various procedures, washed feet and met a lot of phenomenal people.

Tarin Vandall graduated from Glasgow High School in 2022. She is currently enrolled at the University of Idaho majoring in medical sciences with the goal to go to Med School to obtain her MD. She would like to work as a Pediatrician in Family Medicine. She plans to graduate in May of 2026. She is determined to make a difference in the lives of those around her and use her skills and knowledge to help people live healthier, happier lives.

Tiana Johnson graduated from Glasgow High School in 2017. She is currently enrolled at Weber State studying to be a Radiography Technician. She plans to graduate in April of 2024. She has worked at Milk River, Inc., which sparked her interest in the healthcare field and works three clinical days per week at FMDH.

The FMDH Foundation is proud to be able to assist these students through the generosity of the Foundation donors and would like to wish all the awardees the best of luck in their studies and future endeavors.

Photos were not available for Brett Chatten and Tiana Johnson

For more information about the FMDH Foundation or to create a named scholarship, please contact the Foundation Office by calling 406-228-3556 or by emailing [email protected]. You can also check us out online at fmdh.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @fmdhfoundation.