Through the generosity of our donors, UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's Foundation is able to provide grants, awards and scholarships. These programs help further our mission to support UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids in providing the healthcare we'd like our loved ones to receive.
For questions about these programs, please contact Tonya Arnold, Sr. Director of Operations at (319) 369-7572 or tonya.arnold@unitypoint.org.
Please click on an accordion below to learn more about specific applications, eligibility criteria and deadlines.
Awards
St. Luke's Foundation's Patient Care Excellence Award Program recognizes health care providers who demonstrate outstanding achievement in their chosen field.
Eligibility
- Be scheduled at 32 hours per pay period in a St. Luke's Hospital-based department
- Be an "exceptional performer" or be a "role model" in their most recent Annual Performance Assessment
- Be nominated by a peer, manager, director or physician
- Complete the Awards Application
Timeline
- Jan. 27, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. — Nominations Due to the Foundation
- March 3, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. — Applications Due
- May 8, 2025 — Patient Care Excellence Awards & Scholarship Ceremony at Coe College
This Award was created by St. Luke's Auxiliary in 2018 to honor Ted Townsend and mark his contributions and accomplishments as President and CEO of St. Luke's Hospital. One of Mr. Townsend's greatest achievements was to build a culture of engagement among St. Luke's team members. This Award recognizes an outstanding UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids team member who embraces Mr. Townsend's spirit of transformational leadership.
Like Mr. Townsend, this team member creates valuable and positive change within the team, hospital, healthcare system or community. This leader directs others through innovation, initiative and compassion. By expecting the best from everyone and pursuing improved ways to work together, this team member helps to deliver the healthcare we'd like our loved ones to receive.
Award recipients receive financial support for academic courses, continuing education, educational conferences or professional certification.
Eligibility
A team member in good standing of UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids working at least 32 hours a pay period. Members of the UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids family who are eligible for this Award, include:
- Abbe Center
- Helen G. Nassif Transitional Care Center Jones Regional Medical Center
- MedLabs
- St. Luke's Hospital
- Surgery Center of Cedar Rapids
- UnityPoint Clinic
- UnityPoint Health Information Technology (IT)
- UnityPoint Outpatient Hospice & Home Care
- UnityPoint at Home – Home Medical Equipment
Timeline
- Jan. 27, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. — Nominations Due to the Foundation
- March 3, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. — Applications Due
- May 8, 2025 — Patient Care Excellence Awards & Scholarship Ceremony at Coe College
2025 Ted Townsend – St. Luke's Auxiliary Award Nomination Form
Grants
UnityPoint Health – St. Luke's Foundation's iGrant Program supports innovative programs and equipment to enhance and strengthen the strategic framework of UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids.
iGrant is funded through the Foundation’s annual employee giving campaign and other funds. To be eligible, please complete the application and submit it to St. Luke’s Foundation by July 1 at 3 pm. The maximum request is $15,000.
Eligibility
One application per unit/clinic can be submitted. The following entities of UPH – Cedar Rapids are eligible to apply:
- St. Luke's Hospital Departments
- AbbeHealth
- Helen G. Nassif Community Cancer Center
- Jones Regional Medical Center
- MedLabs
- Surgery Center
- UnityPoint at Home and Hospice
- UnityPoint Health Information Technology (IT)
- UnityPoint Clinic
Purpose
All projects should be compatible with iGrant's purpose to assist UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids to:
- Advance the quality of the patient and/or family care experience.
- Improve the care innovation and/or care delivery for our patients and their families.
Timeline
- July 1, 2025, at 3 p.m. — Applications are due to St. Luke’s Foundation
The St. Luke's Foundation Rural Healthcare Grant Program supports:
- Equipment for emergency care in the pre-hospital environment.
- Training for emergency personnel to gain or enhance their skills.
- Basic, life-support training equipment such as Hand-Only CPR, Little Anne, Manikins.
- Mileage reimbursement for Transportation Programs.
Eligibility
The 2025 St. Luke’s Rural Healthcare Grant is due on May 28, 2025.
Applicants must reside in a rural community serving Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Delaware, Iowa, northern Johnson, Jones and Linn counties. Eligible entities include Ambulance Services, Paramedics, Fire and Rescue Departments, Transportation Programs and First Responders.
St. Luke's Foundation provides grants to:
- Nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) tax status with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
- Organizations that are part of a governmental unit (county, city, etc.) Documentation is required.
- If an entity is not part of the main government, provide a copy of the 28E Agreement.
Matching Grant Guidelines
Maximum grant request is $6,000. The grant will not fund more than 50% of the grant project. The grant is made on a matching basis whereby St. Luke's Foundation will award one dollar for every $1 raised.
Timeline
- May 28, 2025, at 3 p.m. — Applications are due to St. Luke's Foundation
Scholarships
Eligibility
St. Luke's School of Nursing Alumni are eligible to apply for scholarships to continue their education thanks to the Charlene Allely Revocable Trust. Alum may apply for $500 scholarships towards CEU registration fees. This scholarship can be used for travel or lodging needed to attend the CEU. The CEU scholarships may be applied for throughout the year and do not have be health related.
Alum choosing to continue their formal education are eligible for $500 scholarships. The scholarships do not have to be used toward health-related coursework. Scholarships will be awarded according to the school year – usually twice yearly. Applicants may reapply annually for scholarships.
Timeline
- Applications accepted anytime.
This is a graduate degree for nurses pursuing career advancement in nursing. The MSN Program in Nursing Administration or Nurse Educator requires 36 credit hours to complete the degree. The Keech MSN Scholarship will support 18 of the 36 credit hours. The remaining 18 credit hours will be the financial responsibility of the student. The student is encouraged to utilize the St. Luke’s Hospital Tuition Reimbursement Program and/or apply to St. Luke’s Foundation Scholarship Program.
After graduation with an MSN Degree, the Keech Scholarship Recipient is required to work five years in a St. Luke’s Hospital-Based Department. If the Scholarship Recipient is unable to fulfill this requirement, they will be expected to pay back the entirety of the scholarship ($11,000).
Eligibility
- Be currently employed at an eligible St. Luke’s Hospital-Based Department. Please see page 16 for a list of eligible and in-eligible departments.
- Have 12 months experience in a formal or informal nursing leadership role.
- Example formal leadership role: Unit Supervisor or Manager
- Example Informal Leadership Role: Charge Nurse or Nurse Preceptor
- Be accepted to Mount Mercy University’s MSN in Nursing Administration Program.
- Continue to work in an eligible St. Luke’s Hospital-Based Department for five years following the graduation of an MSN Degree.
Timeline
- Oct. 6, 2025 at 3 p.m. — Applications are due to St. Luke’s Foundation
- Dec. 8, 2025 — Retention agreement is due to Rhapsody Kirkpatrick
- Jan. 2026 — Classes begin
2025 Keech MSN Program in Nursing Administration or Nurse Educator Scholarship Application
St. Luke’s Hospital and Mount Mercy University offer an expedited RN to BSN accelerated curriculum. With this partnership, RN to BSN students can complete the 21 nursing credit hours required by Mount Mercy University’s RN to BSN Program in less than one year. Students may take face-to-face or online classes.
To achieve a BSN, Mount Mercy University will require the student to complete core classes. Depending on each student’s academic history, this could be a minimum of nine credit hours to as many as 27. Core courses will be the financial responsibility of the student. The student is encouraged to utilize the St. Luke’s Hospital Tuition Reimbursement Program and/or apply to St. Luke’s Foundation Scholarship Program (timeline is announced annually in January).
After graduation with a BSN Degree, the Keech BSN Scholarship Recipient is required to work three years in a St. Luke’s Hospital-Based Department. If the Scholarship Recipient is unable to fulfill this requirement, they will be expected to pay back the entirety of the scholarship ($9,181).
St. Luke’s Foundation’s Keech Scholarship offsets the expenses for the 21 nursing credit hours. The scholarship’s approximate value is $9,181 per student ($8,681 for tuition and $500 for books).
Eligibility
- Be currently employed at an eligible St. Luke’s Hospital-Based Department. Please see page 16 for a list of eligible and in-eligible departments.
- Have 12 months of nursing experience (RN) at time of the application process. Example: Nurse began employment as an RN in Dec. 2023; Nurse would be eligible to apply for the Keech Scholarship in Jan. 2025.
- Be accepted to Mount Mercy University’s BSN Program.
- Continue to work in an eligible St. Luke’s Hospital-Based Department for three years following the graduation of a BSN Degree.
Timeline
- Oct. 6, 2025 at 3 p.m. — Applications are due to St. Luke’s Foundation
- Dec. 8, 2025 — Retention Agreement is due to Rhapsody Kirkpatrick
- Jan. 2025 — Classes Begin
Louisa Peak devoted her life to children and volunteering. Louisa was a long-time teacher in the Cedar Rapids Community School District. She spent most of her career teaching and nurturing junior high (or middle school) students. While she was a teacher, Louisa also became an active volunteer in school activities, the community and at St. Luke's Hospital. When she retired, Louisa volunteered at St. Luke's Hospital 40 hours a week.
Louisa Peak was St. Luke's first 10,000-hour volunteer in 1978. When Louisa Peak passed away in 1981, her family created a scholarship in her honor. The Louisa E. Peak Scholarship was created to pay tribute to her two life interests: children and volunteering.
Eligibility
- The applicant must be an active student volunteer in good standing at St. Luke's Hospital.
- The applicant must be a graduating high school senior in good academic standing.
- The applicant must plan to enter a humanistic occupation such as teaching, healthcare or social work.
Timeline
- March 3, 2025, at 3 p.m. — Applications are due to St. Luke's Foundation
Eligibility
St. Luke's School of Nursing Alumni Scholarships provide scholarship funding from St. Luke’s School of Nursing Alumni Association to individuals pursuing a nursing degree (such as LPN, RN, BSN, MSN, DNP or PhD).
Recipients must be in one of the following categories with preference given to:
- St. Luke’s School of Nursing Alumni
- Children or grandchildren of St. Luke’s School of Nursing Alumni
- UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids employees
Timeline
- March 3, 2025, at 3 p.m. — Applications are due to St. Luke's Foundation
St. Luke's Foundation's Scholarship Program provides scholarships to UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids team members to advance their educational and career goals.
Eligibility
- Be employed in an eligible UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids department. See page 13 of the application for the list of eligible departments.
- Be a full-time, part-time or PRN employee. PRN employees must work a minimum of 12 hours a month. Please provide proof of hours worked for the previous three months.
- Be enrolled in an accredited college or university listed on the application. Please note, this scholarship is awarded in May 2025. Funds from this scholarship must be used for the student's summer or fall 2025 tuition or spring 2026 tuition.
- Complete the application, the applicant is eligible for both the Foundation and Auxiliary scholarship programs.
- If you are currently employed in an eligible UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids department, continue to work for the organization for at least one year.
Timeline
- March 3, 2025, at 3 p.m. — Applications are due to St. Luke's Foundation
2025 St. Luke's Scholarship Application (for Team Members)
Thank you to these individuals and organizations who have created scholarships at St. Luke's Foundation:
- Natalie and Joe Cohn
- Opal Fagle
- Ted and Lillian Feder
- May B. Gortner
- Walter & Ida Kansky
- Dr. Roy & Bess Keech
- Beatha Kuntz
- Dr. E.L Mansfield
- Darla Moander
- Norma Newmeister
- Nursing Scholarship
- Dr. J. Stuart McQuiston
- Ann and Forbes Olberg
- Greta Schuchmann
- Dr. Charles and Ruth Schwartz
- St. Luke's Auxiliary
- Ted Townsend, Sr.
- Ted Townsend, Jr.
- Maxine VanHamme
- Grace Wormer
- Merle and Myrtle Yanecek
- Brian D. Zimmerman
St. Luke's Auxiliary provides scholarships to UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids volunteers or auxilians as well as a child of a UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids team member or auxilian who is pursuing a degree in nursing or other health profession.
Eligibility
- Be a Unity Point Health – Cedar Rapids volunteer or auxilian pursuing a degree in nursing or other health profession.
- Be the child of a UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids team member or auxilian pursuing a degree in nursing or other health profession.
- Applicant's parent/guardian must work in an eligible UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids department. See page 11 of the application for the list of eligible departments.
- Be enrolled in an accredited college or university listed on the application. Please note, this scholarship is awarded in May 2025. Funds from this scholarship should be used for the student's summer or fall 2025 tuition or spring 2026 tuition.
Timeline
- March 3, 2025, at 3 p.m. — Applications are due to St. Luke's Foundation
2025 St Lukes Scholarship Application (for Non-Team Members)
The Theodore Townsend, Sr. Scholarship assists a UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids team member who is pursuing a non-clinical or health-related degree. The applicant must also be a non-traditional student who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Eligibility
- Be employed in an eligible UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids department. Please see page 13 of the application for a list of eligible departments.
- Be a full-time, part-time or PRN employee. PRN employees must work a minimum of 12 hours a month. Please provide proof of hours worked for the previous three months.
- Be enrolled in an accredited college or university listed on the application. Please note, this scholarship is awarded in May 2025. Funds from this scholarship should be used for the student's summer or fall 2025 tuition or spring 2026 tuition.
- Continue to work in an eligible UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids department for at least one year.
Timeline
- March 4, 2025, at 3 p.m. — Applications are due St. Luke's Foundation
Bob Yaw loved to brag that he started his friendship with St. Luke's when he was born at the hospital on December 20, 1913. Mr. Yaw became a leader at St. Luke's when he joined the hospital board. During his tenure, he saw a need for the hospital to have a Foundation.
His foresight led to the establishment of the St. Luke's Foundation in 1977. He took it upon himself to gather leaders from the Cedar Rapids area to build a Foundation that gave people the opportunity to make contributions and serve the healthcare needs of eastern Iowa. In 1998, he established the Yaw Scholarship to help children of St. Luke's Team Members. Since that date, hundreds of students have received funds to help them with their educational pursuits.
Eligibility
- The applicant's parent must be a St. Luke's team member working a minimum of 20 hours per week at St. Luke's. Please see the list of eligible departments on page 10 of the application.
- The applicant must be graduating high school in good academic standing.
- The applicant must have plans to pursue additional education at a college, university or accredited technical business trade school. The applicant does not need to be pursuing a degree in a healthcare related field.
Timeline
- March 3, 2025, at 3 p.m. — Applications are due to St. Luke's Foundation