Centralia, IL — SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary is proud to announce two recipients of its 2025 scholarships: Gracie Kelly and Bridgette Joy, both exceptional team members who exemplify dedication to patient care and professional excellence.  The scholarships are given to support continued education and professional growth.

Gracie Kelly, who works in the Radiology Department, will continue her career at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, furthering her commitment to excellence in patient care. Bridgette Joy, who works in the Behavioral Health Unit, plans to remain with the hospital as a Registered Nurse, continuing her dedication to mental health services.

The scholarships were awarded through the SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Program, which supports the hospital’s mission to investing its people and enhance patient care. Georgia Lambert, Chair of the SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Committee, emphasized the importance of nurturing internal talent:

“It’s important because we want to grow our own and keep them close by. These young ladies exceeded all the expectations we had. This scholarship is a testament to how much we care about each other here. It’s important that our new nurses especially know they’ve got a whole team behind them, ready to support them whenever they need it.”

The Auxiliary plays a vital role in supporting the hospital’s mission, not only through scholarships but also by funding critical patient care needs such as bariatric beds and pediatric respiratory equipment.

SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital and the Auxiliary congratulates Gracie and Bridgette on their achievements and looks forward to their continued contributions to the health and well-being of the community.