Owatonna Hospital Auxiliary awards $25,000 in scholarships

Festival of Tables event raises $21,500 for next year’s scholarships

OWATONNA, Minn. (May14, 2026) — Allina Health Owatonna Hospital Auxiliary recently awarded a total of $25,000 in healthcare scholarships to 16 students. In addition, the auxiliary awards a $2,000 scholarship to a nursing student from the Donald Sanford endowment which they manage.

This year’s scholarships recipients are:

  •  Abigail Beaver ($2,000)

  • Taya Selbrde ($1,000)
  •  Chaya Blum ($2,500)
  •  Cody Shaw ($2,000)
  •  Anastasia Carreon-Sorensen ($1,500)
  •  Jocelyn Simones ($2,000)
  •  Genevieve Froman ($1,000)
  •  Piper Srp ($1,500)
  •  Orion Heintz ($1,000)
  •  Tessa Underdahl ($2,000)
  •  Lauren Kubicek ($1,000)
  •  Josephine Volkmann ($2,500)
  •  Madison Lea ($2,000)

  • April Zago ($2,000 Donald Sanford Endowment)
  •  Isabella Schultz ($1,000)
  •  Genesis Zetino ($2,000)

All students are pursuing a major in nursing or a health-related field, live in Steele County and are employed by Owatonna Hospital or have an immediate family member employed by the hospital.

In addition to these qualifications, the Donald Sanford recipient must have completed pre-requisite coursework and been accepted into a nursing program at a college or vocational school.

“The Owatonna Hospital Auxiliary is proud to award these students scholarships to help offset some of the expense of pursuing their healthcare goals,” said Sharon Whelan, Co-chair of the Owatonna Hospital Auxiliary. “Fostering future healthcare providers and care givers is extremely important as demand for care increases. We hope many of them choose to stay in our community, strengthening local healthcare for years to come.”

Since 1960, the Hospital Auxiliary has distributed several scholarships annually in the spring through various fundraising activities. Most funds are raised during its Festival of Tables event held every May at the Owatonna Country Club. This year’s event raised $21,500 for next year’s scholarships. The auxiliary also hosts a booth at the Steele County Fair and an annual Holiday Bazaar at St John Lutheran Church.

We welcome and appreciate all the support from community members,” Whelan added. “Working together we build a healthier and stronger community.”

The Owatonna Hospital Auxiliary is made up of approximately 130 community volunteers. Its mission is to help fund unbudgeted items for the hospital or amenities that provide patient care and comfort, in addition to healthcare scholarships.