The Christina Lynn Rushing Memorial Scholarship committee is pleased to announce Shenelie Askew, Brent Easton, Brittany Tovar and Jennifer Strayhorn as 2022 award recipients. 

Billy and Cindy Rushing created the scholarship fund after the sudden passing of their 19-year-old daughter, Christina Lynn.

“We decided to establish the Christina Lynn Rushing Scholarship Fund,” Billy said. “We wanted to honor the legacy of a short but meaningful life.” 

Cindy retired from Mercy Health – Lourdes Hospital and is a member of the foundation’s scholarship committee that selects recipients. 

As someone who took advantage of continuing education later in life, Cindy felt the annual scholarship was the perfect way to keep Christina in their hearts.

“Education is such a vital component for everyone; it even helped me cope with my grief,” Cindy said. “Our family wants to help associates at Lourdes Hospital achieve their goals. We miss Christina dearly, but being able to help someone further their education would certainly make her smile.”

Recipient Shenelie Askew started her career with Mercy Health working in food services. Once Askew became a health unit coordinator, her understanding of health care deepened, which helped her realize her desire for helping patients. 

Thanks to the help of the Christina Lynn Rushing Memorial Scholarship, Shenelie is planning to pursue higher education to become a LPN (licensed practical nurse). 

“For me, it is tremendously, greatly appreciated,” she said. “Being a single parent with children, it’s difficult sometimes to try to further and better yourself.”

The committee awards the annual Rushing Scholarship to employees of Mercy Health – Lourdes Hospital who want to continue their education in the health field. A scholarship committee selects winners from a field of applicants. Applicants must have at least one year of employment with Mercy Health.