The Southwest Memorial Hospital Foundation is accepting applications for its 2017 healthcare career scholarship.

Annual recipients are selected based on their qualifications and the availability of funding. Scholarships are awarded up to $2,000 each, and strong competition among applicants is anticipated. Priority will be given to candidates who plan to pursue a health care career in Montezuma and Dolores counties.

Submitted applications will be shared with the Leonard Cain Medical Scholarship Fund and Hoover Endowed Scholarship Program, to give applicants access to additional funding sources.

To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants must have chosen health care as a career, finished prerequisites for the fall school year by June 1, maintained “satisfactory progress” in school work and be a resident of Montezuma or Dolores counties. Applicants are required to complete an application, write a letter describing career plans and goals, past education, work, and life experiences, provide three letters of reference, submit verification of grades and a personal photograph, and be available for an interview if requested. Because the applications will be scanned and distributed for review by the foundation’s board of directors, they should be submitted stapled only, without folders or other packaging that complicates copying.

Applications and instructions for completion are available at the front desk at Southwest Memorial Hospital, the foundation office in the administrative wing at the hospital, and at local high school guidance offices. The application can also be downloaded from the hospital website, www.swhealth.org. Applications submitted Feb. 20 – March 27 (postmark date) will be considered. Email Susan Thomas at sethomas@swhealth.org with questions.