The David E. Knox Memorial Nursing Fellowship was established to support outstanding candidates in the pursuit of registered nursing degrees and service to small Alaskan communities. The fellowship honors the memory of David Knox, who moved to Alaska in 1973 to pursue a career in surgical nursing after serving in the Army as a surgical technician in Vietnam. Starting his work in Sitka in the Public Health Service surgical unit, Knox soon earned his R.N. degree through UAA. After 10 years with PHS, he was hired to coordinate the surgical unit at Sitka Community Hospital. He brought a high level of leadership and expertise to Sitka’s surgical unit, helping it become one of Alaska’s leading rural health units.
The new surgical suite at SCH was dedicated in his honor and a plaque was erected that reads “a beloved husband, father, mentor, and friend who selflessly served his community, patients, family, and friends.” Ideal fellowship candidates will embody the same nurturing compassion, detailed organization, high technical standards, and devotion to healthcare for which David was known.
The Fellowship provides awards of up to $2,500 for those who agree to practice as a nurse/RN in a small community within the state of Alaska for a minimum of one year.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicant should reflect the personal and professional values of David E. Knox:
- Commitment to professional nursing in rural settings
- Compassion for patients and co-workers
- High level of organization and attention to detail
- Applicant should demonstrate motivation, academic, and/or leadership potential.
- Applicant must have completed prerequisites for nursing (BSN or RN) degree-seeking program
- Must be enrolled full-time in BSN or RN degree program by the beginning of the next academic session or semester when the award will be used.
- Applicants must be in good standing with a minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.0.
- Applicant must be a nursing student in 2, 3, and 4-year programs.
- Applicant must commit to a 1-year service obligation to practice nursing in a small community in Alaska (less than 50,000 residents per current census figures).
Preferences:
- Eligible for graduation within 2 years of the academic term for when the award will be used.
- Preference will be given to those who wish to practice in operating rooms.
- Preference will be given to students who demonstrate financial need.
Applicants will be Asked to Provide:
- Personal Essay
- Resume
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
- College Transcript
- Financial Need information
IMPORTANT: Scholarship recipients must submit their student ID number and program information to ACF through the online system before their award can be disbursed. If we do not receive the above information by June 30, 2024, the scholarship may not be awarded. Please contact ACF is you cannot send in the information by this date.
Contact The Alaska Community Foundation with questions: scholarships@alaskacf.org or 907-334-6700