Kristin Runyon’s compassion and dedication to nursing continue to inspire future caregivers through a memorial scholarship established in her name. Now in its 15th year, the Kristin Runyon Memorial Scholarship has helped 50 nursing students pursue their calling — extending Kristin’s legacy through a new generation of compassionate caregivers.
Kristin’s life and promising nursing career were tragically cut short in 2010. She is remembered for her unwavering commitment to patient care and her passion for the nursing profession. Her legacy lives on through the Kristin Runyon Memorial Scholarship, which recently awarded funds to eight aspiring nurses:
- Amelia Thomas of Lewisberry
- Ke-Ihja DeShields of York
- Brooke Taylor of Shippensburg
- Makenna Varner of Fayetteville
- Jessica Redos of Greencastle
- Tamara Hollar of Waynesboro
- Kayla Dolison of York
- Rachel Newswanger of Newville
These students embody the compassion and dedication Kristin championed throughout her career.
Kristin’s mother, Barb Runyon, helped establish the scholarship to honor her daughter’s memory and support future nurses. The scholarship is available to full-time students enrolled in a registered nursing degree program who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and reside in Franklin County or the surrounding counties.
Since its inception in 2011, the fund has awarded $154,000 to 50 nursing students. It is sustained by 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 nursing with the same passion Kristin exemplified.
Jessica Redos, a student at Saint Francis University, said her pursuit of a public health degree in tandem with a nursing degree will help her break down barriers to care for all. “I hope to combine my clinical knowledge with a public health perspective to not only care for patients on a personal level, but also strive to promote health equity, education and access to care in Franklin County and surrounding areas.”
Tamara Hollar, a student at Hagerstown Community College, shared that the COVID pandemic temporarily sidelined her dream to become a nurse, but she’s back at it with more energy and commitment than ever before. “Once returning to finish my prerequisites, I haven’t let up on the gas. … Becoming a nurse has been a passion of mine for years.”
