Hedrick Medical Center Medical Staff Continues Scholarship Opportunity

CHILLICOTHE, Mo. – The Hedrick Medical Center Medical Staff is pleased to announce the continuation of a scholarship program for area residents. The Harkness Scholarship is named after Dr. James A. Harkness, a former Chillicothe physician and Chief of Staff at Hedrick Medical Center. Dr. Harkness died in 1988.

The Harkness Scholarship aims to support and encourage individuals in the surrounding rural communities who have chosen the path to become a physician. Scholarships will be awarded annually, up to $1,000 per recipient.

Each scholarship will require recipients to share their grades and school status if requested by the Hedrick Medical Center Medical Staff. Applicants may apply for and receive this award each year throughout their education/training.

Eligible candidates include:

  • High school student accepted to a 6-year medical school
  • Undergraduate accepted into medical school
  • Current medical student
  • Current medical resident
  • Must be from one of the following counties; Caldwell, Carroll, Chariton, Daviess, Mercer, Grundy, Harrison, Livingston, Linn, Mercer, Putnam, Ray, Saline, Sullivan
  • Minimum GPA of 3.5
  • Completed 20 hours of community service

Applicants are required to write a short essay and include two letters of recommendation.

Scholarship applications can be found here. Applications must be received or postmarked by April 15, 2023.

For questions, contact Colby Baker, HMC Harkness Liaison, at 660-214-8114 or colbaker1@saintlukeskc.org.


Hedrick Medical Center is a member of Saint Luke's Health System, which consists of 14 area hospitals and several specialty and primary care practices, and provides a range of inpatient, outpatient, and home care services. Founded as a faith-based, not-for-profit organization, our mission includes a commitment to the highest levels of excellence in health care and the advancement of medical research and education. The health system is an aligned organization in which the physicians and hospitals assume responsibility for enhancing the physical, mental, and spiritual health of people in the metropolitan Kansas City area and the surrounding region.