A radiology employee at UPMC Chautauqua is pictured.

A Lakewood couple has donated $100,000 through the WCA Foundation to establish a workforce scholarship fund benefiting UPMC Chautauqua employees.

Of the total gift, $50,000 will be invested into an endowment to provide a permanent source of scholarship support for future generations of healthcare workers, while the remaining $50,000 has been designated as an immediate impact gift, allowing scholarships to be awarded right away as the endowment grows and matures.

The scholarship fund is intended to help employees pursue higher education, certifications, and professional credentials that will allow them to advance within the healthcare field. Whether an employee hopes to transition to a different department, pursue a new healthcare profession, or gain specialized skills, the fund will help remove financial barriers to achieving those goals. By investing in education and career advancement, the scholarship program will empower employees to improve their personal financial circumstances while strengthening the quality of healthcare available throughout our community.

“We are thrilled and deeply honored to receive this extraordinary gift from a couple with strong ties to our community,” said Kristin Melville, executive director of the WCA Foundation. “Their generosity demonstrates a meaningful commitment to supporting the growth and development of UPMC Chautauqua’s healthcare workforce. This scholarship fund will create opportunities for employees to pursue new career paths, earn degrees and credentials, and achieve greater financial stability for themselves and their families. At the same time, it will help address workforce needs and enhance the care provided to our community.”

The donors’ decision to create both an endowed fund and an immediate-use scholarship fund ensures that employees can benefit today while establishing a legacy for the future. While they have chosen to remain anonymous, Melville said they look forward to staying involved with the WCA Foundation and seeing the impact of their investment grow.

“This transformative gift reflects the donors’ belief that investing in people is one of the most meaningful ways to strengthen healthcare.” Melville said, “One of the most inspiring aspects of this gift is that it creates an opportunity for others to join in its impact. Anyone can contribute to the fund and help invest in the future of our healthcare workforce. Together, we can create opportunities for employees, strengthen healthcare in our community, and build a legacy that will benefit generations to come. The best way to sum up this wonderful gift, is through the donors themselves whose heartfelt message to UPMC Chautauqua employees, “‘Be all you can be at UPMC.”