Author: empadmin

Connor Catron

Meet Connor Catron of Van Buren, AR - a previous winner of a Degen Scholarship. After graduating from UAFS in 2020, he now attends the University of Missouri School of Dentistry in Kansas City to work on his DDS degree. He received a $3,000.00 scholarship for the F23-S24 semesters. He plans to graduate in Spring 2025.

Connor was able to assist in surgery, sterilize and prepare trays, and help with patient flow while working with Dr. Pierce Osborne of Fayetteville. There he showed his professional conduct and ambition to become a dentist while observing the lasting impressions that dentists have on their patients.

“Getting the chance to observe many different dentists and their specialties, helped solidify my decision to become a dentist. He will hopefully return to the River Valley area to practice. Come on back, Catron! We need you right here!

Jania Flake

Introducing Jania Flake of Fort Smith, AR, who received a $3,000.00 F23-S24 scholarship to OSU where she will work on her MS in Athletic Training. Her anticipated graduation date is Spring 2025.

Her passion for the medical field began after sustaining an ACL and meniscus tear for which she received rehab and physical therapy. But it “intensified” after witnessing an athlete and her athletic trainer interact after an injury and she saw the relief on the athlete’s face.

Jania states, “I am a passionate, charismatic, extroverted individual with an optimism about life that drives me to pursue my passions with hope and excitement.” Her excitement is contagious, and we cannot wait to see Jania become a great Athletic Trainer! 

The Degen Foundation will support your efforts all the way!

Grace Browning

Here is Grace Browning of Fort Smith, AR who received a $2000.00 F23-S24 Scholarship to UCA to pursue her BSN degree, with plans to graduate in Spring 2024. 

She feels this will be a lifelong career that will make a true difference.  When her father was hospitalized during the pandemic, and no visitors were allowed, it was the nurses who sent pictures to the family to keep them informed of his situation and comforted him during his stay.  This was when Grace decided she wanted to be a nurse.  She has wanted to serve in the Peace Corps since she was 16 and wants to be” sent out in the world and give back to her community.”

We believe Grace will make an excellent nurse and will hopefully come back to our area to make a difference in her patient’s lives. Welcome to The Degen Foundation family of supporters.

Madison Combs

Introducing Madison Combs of Pocola, OK who received a $3000.00 F2023-S2024 Scholarship to Northeastern State University to earn her MS in Speech-Language Pathology. She is on track to graduate in Spring 2027. This bright young woman made Pocola High School history for graduating concurrently from high school AND receiving an associate degree in Sociology/Psychology from Carl Albert State College this past May!

Due to this, she is able to go straight into the program plan this Fall. Once she takes the National Certification test – she would like to work with young children to help them learn to communicate effectively as well as work with stroke victims.

She is pictured with her mother, Amanda Combs, a Nurse Practitioner and a former Degen Scholarship Recipient. 

We are so proud to have you in the Degen Family, Madison!

Mikelle Porter

Meet Mikelle Porter of Van Buren, AR who is attending UCA with plans to obtain her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She was awarded a $3,000.00 Fall 2023 – Spring 2024 scholarship and will graduate in Summer 2025.  She discovered her passion during the summer of 2020 after taking a job at a government-funded childcare facility where she interacted with multiple children who had delayed language development – which hindered their ability to communicate clearly.

She describes herself as “steadfast, hardworking, and driven. The most important things in my life are my faith and those around me that I love.” Her drive and compassion will make her a wonderful Speech Pathologist!

Welcome to the Degen Family!

Haven Spoon

A big welcome to Haven Spoon of Arkoma, OK, who received a $2000.00 scholarship to UAFS where she is working towards her BSN degree with plans to graduate in December 2024. This ambitious young woman witnessed her family go through many struggles – mental health, physical health and diagnosing difficulty which spurred her interest in becoming a nurse. She would love to be a part of administration or the state board of nursing where she could be an “advocate for the ill and colleagues.” She also wants to one day become a nurse practitioner. This high achiever wants to “leave an impression in this big world when she is gone.”

We believe you can do just that, Haven!

Kobe Panis

We are pleased to introduce Kobe Panis of Greenwood, AR who received a $2000.00 scholarship to UAFS where is he working towards his RN-BSN degree with plans to graduate in Spring 2023. His mom was the person who introduced him to healthcare as she is a 29-year Practice Manager for family practice and occupational medicine providers. They inspired him to become a nurse.

He will work at a local pharmacy to learn as much as he can while starting nursing school.  He hopes to become an APRN in the near future. We are thrilled to have you in the program, Kobe!

Miranda Smith

Please welcome Miranda Smith of Barling, AR,  working on her Doctorate of Nursing Practice – Nurse Midwifery degree and received a $4000.00 scholarship to the University of Tennessee for Fall 2023 & Spring 2024. She plans to graduate in 2025.

On her application, she stated, “the medical profession is not a choice but a calling for those who want to invest back into the communities supporting them.”  She understands the lack of obstetric and gynecological care for women in Arkansas and feels that “Nurse Midwives are an answer to effectively collaborate and provide state-of-the-art care with institutions like UAMS and OU Medical Center.” She continued to say, “from foster care to graduation, my small town of Clarksville rallied to help me destroy generational chains,” and wants to invest back into the state that took care of her. Her soul “yearns to cultivate a clinic in the Arkansas River Valley that provides specialized care for at-risk teen mothers and their children.“

We are behind you 100% Miranda!

Catherine Owen

Introducing Ms. Catherine Owen of Fort Smith, AR.  She received a $3,000.00 Fall 2023-Spring 2024 Scholarship to John Brown University where she is working on her Masters in Clinical Health Counseling.  She received her BS in Neuroscience from Rhodes College in 2020 and while taking an opportunity to intern with a local counseling group, conduct neuroscientific and psychological research, she developed “insight and passion for mental health counseling and a specific interest in treating substance abuse, trauma, and related neuropsychological phenomena.” She plans to graduate in Spring 2025, and we cannot wait for her to start working right here in the River Valley area!

Stephanie Marcom

Meet Ms. Stephanie Marcom of Cedarville, AR who received a $3,000.00 Scholarship to Chamberlain University for the Fall 2022-Spring 2023 semesters. She is working on her MSN to be a Family Nurse Practitioner and will graduate in April 2024.  Ms. Marcom started out as an LPN, got her Associates Degree, and then graduated with her BSN in 2018.  She began her journey to achieve the MS in FNP in 2019 but when COVID hit, a stint as an ICU nurse took its toll on her mental health.

She took a detour as a travel nurse recruiter where she could still support nurses. As time passed, she missed her true calling and stated, “I am grateful for the time I spent away from my career because it reiterated why I became a nurse in the first place.”  Now, she is almost done achieving her goal.  We are proud to support you, Stephanie, and are grateful you made the decision to come back to nursing.