Willis-Knighton Health System recognized 62 high school graduates as part of its Give Back program. On Friday, May 20. These students, all children of Willis-Knighton employees, received $2,000 scholarships to further their educations in a college, university, vocational or technical school setting. The Give Back Scholarship ceremonies were held at the WK Innovation Center and were followed by a reception honoring the young scholars and their parents.

The Give Back Scholarships are awarded annually to children of Willis-Knighton employees who learn at an early age to mirror their parents’ mission of service at Willis-Knighton by giving back to the community during their high school careers. Students submitted essays about community service activities in which they had participated and how it affected them. They were asked to be inspired by Willis-Knighton’s mantra: “You will never have a perfect day until you do something for someone who can never afford to repay you.”

Executives who implemented the program have noted that this is a special way to honor these young scholars and their dedicated parents and to encourage giving back to the community. They also believe that this project is one of the many benefits provided to Willis-Knighton employees that supports the health system’s low turnover rate. 

Since the program was established in 2010, the health system has awarded more than $434,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors whose parents are employed by Willis-Knighton.