MIDLAND — Under the stewardship of the MidMichigan Health Foundation, $207,300 has been awarded to 160 students for the 2020-2021 school year from The Bernard F. and Melissa Anne Bailey Family Fund.

More than $2 million in total has been awarded in scholarship funds by the Bailey Family Fund to assist students as they pursue a career in health care since it began offering scholarships in 2005.

The following local students have received scholarships for the upcoming school year:

Alcona: Lisa Dault and Brandy Tudor.

Alpena: Aaron DeCaire, Maia Haske, Georgeia Kolokithas, Chloe C. Lacombe, Maisie A. Pyles and Ashley Timmreck.

Examples of the health professions being pursued by these individuals include anesthesia, nursing, medicine, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy, radiology, respiratory therapy and speech therapy.

The Bernard F. and Melissa Anne Bailey Family Fund was initiated through a $3.3 million bequest left by Bernard Bailey to MidMichigan in 2004. Since Mr. Bailey’s bequest was placed in an endowment, a portion of the income earned from the fund is awarded annually to qualified individuals. More than 1,100 students have benefits from their legacy gift.

As lifelong residents of Midland, Bernard and Melissa Anne Bailey’s contributions in business, leadership and philanthropy have made a difference in the community for more than 50 years.

According to their nephew, William Bailey, “As their long and productive lives became more difficult in later years, their appreciation for those in the medical profession became the focal point of their legacy of giving. It was their sincere desire to recognize the contributions of all caregivers and to help those who have the passion to make caring for others their life’s work.”

Applications for the 2021-2022 school year will be accepted from Dec. 1, 2020, through March 1, 2021. Those interested in reviewing the eligibility guidelines, including a scholarship application, may visit www.midmichigan.org/bailey, or call 989-839-3638. Those interested in additional scholarship opportunities may visit www.midmichigan.org/scholarships.

The MidMichigan Health Foundation supports the patients and families served by MidMichigan Health by raising funds for equipment, services, and programs. MidMichigan Health is a non-profit health system headquartered in Midland, Michigan, affiliated with Michigan Medicine, the health care division of the University of Michigan. MidMichigan Health covers a 23-county region with medical centers in Midland, Alpena, Alma, Clare, Gladwin, Mt. Pleasant, and West Branch. In addition to its Medical Centers, MidMichigan Health also offers both home health care and physician services and has a strong commitment to medical education.