Published on June 28, 2024
Madisonville Healthplex, Foundation Host 2024 Gaines Scholarship Event
Four Hopkins County students received the Scott E. Gaines Memorial Scholarship at a ceremony held at the Madisonville Healthplex on June 27. The event is an annual tradition that honors the life and legacy of Dr. Scott Gaines, co-founder of Multicare who died in 2013.
Inspiring the Next Generation
For the first time in the scholarship’s 11-year history, each recipient will receive a $5,000 award—twice as much as the previous amount.
“It is such an honor to be able to invest in the dreams of young people,” said Tracy Naylor, executive director of the Owensboro Health Foundation. “Dr. Gaines left a wonderful legacy of service and excellence, and we are proud that you are following his example.”
Under the stewardship of the Owensboro Health Foundation, the Gaines scholarship fund has enjoyed tremendous growth in recent years. Last year the scholarship eclipsed $100,000 in fundraising and also expanded from two to four recipients.
Meet the Class of 2024
The four scholarship recipients were:
- Mackenzie Creekmur – Dawson Springs Independent School
ESSAY EXCERPT: “Being a pediatric nurse practitioner is my dream job. I want to make a difference in people’s lives.” - Zoe Long – Hopkins County Central High School
ESSAY EXERPT: “I want to follow his legacy and transform the lives of citizens in Hopkins County, starting with every student sitting in a classroom.” - Madison Littlepage
ESSAY EXCERPT: “I want to work with oncology patients. I would love to take my knowledge and combine it with Dr. Gaines’ mission to ensure quality for Madisonville.” - Ann Claire Lutz – Madisonville North Hopkins High School
ESSAY EXCERPT: “As the daughter of a law enforcement officer, I understand the challenges of first responders and their families.”
Creekmur is also the first Dawson Springs High School student to receive the Gaines scholarship.
Remembering Dr. Gaines
Multicare Madisonville’s Brenda Fowler made opening remarks and conducted the ceremony. She invited the class of 2024 to “come back” to Madisonville and serve in the spirit of Dr. Gaines.
“He was a pillar—a true leader who inspired others,” she said. “He could have gone anywhere, but he chose to come home and serve Hopkins County.”
Multicare joined Owensboro Health in 2006. The Healthplex became the system’s second Madisonville location in 2018—continuing Dr. Gaines’ vision for expanded access to care in Hopkins County.
Each year, Owensboro Health Foundation joins forces with the Madisonville locations and friends of Dr. Gaines to hold a golf scramble, which supports the scholarship fund. Learn more about the event here and sign up at OwensboroHealth.org/GainesClassic.
About Owensboro Health
Owensboro Health is a nonprofit health system with a mission to heal the sick and to improve the health of the communities it serves in Kentucky and Indiana. The system includes Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, nationally recognized for design, architecture and engineering; Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital; Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center; the Owensboro Health Medical Group comprised of over 350 providers at more than 30 locations; three outpatient Healthplex facilities, a certified medical fitness facility, the Healthpark; a weight management program, and the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center.
On average each year, we have more than 19,000 inpatient admissions, deliver 2,000 babies and provide the region’s only Level III NICU. Owensboro Health physicians perform nearly 33,000 surgical procedures, including nearly 150 open-heart surgeries. Our physicians and staff have 90,000 Emergency Department visits and more than 1.25 million outpatient visits annually. Visit our home page for more information.