CHAMBERSBURG – The memory of Kristin Runyon, a devoted nurse at WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital, continues to make a profound impact through a scholarship created in her honor.
Kristin, whose life and promising nursing career were tragically cut short in 2010, is remembered for her unwavering commitment and passion for nursing.
Her spirit lives on through the Kristin Runyon Memorial Scholarship, which recently awarded funds to four aspiring nurses: Shantel Armstrong of Chambersburg, Mackenzie Sampere of York, Karlee Hendricks of Greencastle and JoHannah Warner of Waynesboro. These students embody the passion for health care that Kristin championed during her lifetime.
Kristin’s mother, Barb Runyon, remembers her daughter as someone who was not only committed to her profession but also deeply cared for each patient she encountered.
“Kristin had a remarkable ability to connect with her patients and make a significant impact on their lives,” Runyon said. “Losing her was a profound loss for us and the community she served.”
Determined to keep her daughter’s memory and passion alive, Runyon helped establish the Kristin Runyon Memorial Scholarship for students enrolled full time in a registered nurse education program. Applicants must have a minimum grade-point average of 2.8 and live in Franklin County or the surrounding area.
Since 2011, the scholarship fund has awarded $108,000 to 35 nursing students. This fund thrives on the generous donations from family, friends, colleagues, former patients and the broader community.
The scholarship not only provides financial assistance but also encourages recipients to pursue their nursing careers with passion.
“I have always had a passion for helping others,” said Armstrong, who is enrolled in the nursing program at Harrisburg Area Community College in Gettysburg. “With this mindset, I understand that pursuing a career in the medical field would allow me to fulfill that passion.”
Sampere is studying nursing at Penn State Mont Alto, with hopes of attending graduate school to become a certified nurse midwife specializing in home births.
“I plan to not only enhance my professional skills as a nurse, but also enhance my knowledge in the field every day,” Sampere said. “In addition to this, I will continue to work hard in my job and everyday life where I succeed and build connections with others.”
For Hendricks, nursing is a family tradition.
“It has always been a dream of mine to become a nurse,” said Hendricks, who is enrolled in the nursing program at Hagerstown Community College in Maryland. “I remember the excitement I would get hearing stories from my grandmother and mother about their experiences as nurses. To be a nurse is truly one of the biggest accomplishments I will ever have.”
Warner, who also studies at Hagerstown Community College, aims to blend her love for travel with her nursing career, focusing on labor/delivery or intensive care.
“Women’s health has always been near and dear to my heart, drawing me to labor and delivery,” said Warner. “No matter what style of nursing I do, I know I desire to travel as a nurse.”
The recipients are not only grateful for the financial support but also for the opportunity to honor Runyon’s legacy.
“Receiving the Kristin Runyon Memorial Scholarship not only serves as a testament to my hard work and dedication but also as a critical steppingstone in my journey toward becoming a nurse,” Armstrong said.
Hendricks added, “Receiving this scholarship is an honor, as I want to honor Kristin’s memory by being the best nurse I can be.”
As more students like these benefit from the Kristin Runyon Memorial Scholarship, Runyon’s dedication to nursing continues to inspire a new generation of health care professionals, ensuring her influence endures well beyond her years at WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital, hospital officials noted.
