About St. David’s Foundation
St. David’s Foundation is one of the largest health foundations in the United States, funding $80 million annually in a five-county area surrounding Austin, Texas. Through a unique partnership with St. David’s HealthCare, the Foundation reinvests proceeds from the hospital system back into the community, with a goal of advancing health equity and improving the health and well-being of our most underserved Central Texas neighbors.

About the Neal Kocurek Scholarship Program

As one of the largest scholarship programs in Texas, the St. David’s Neal Kocurek Scholarship is focused on investing in the education of Central Texas youth by providing resources to high school seniors within Travis, Hays, Williamson, Bastrop or Caldwell counties pursuing health professions and attending a university or college in the state of Texas. In 2005, St. David’s Foundation Community Fund established the St. David’s Neal Kocurek Scholarship to honor the vision and community spirit of its longtime CEO. A natural mentor, Dr. W. Neal Kocurek was an advisor to many Austin school superintendents and educators. The scholarships are awarded to students who exemplify Dr. Kocurek’s leadership and commitment to the community.

Today, the St. David’s Neal Kocurek Scholarship program helps foster Texas’ health care pipeline across a variety of specialties and has empowered hundreds of graduates from Central Texas high schools to pursue their aspirations of a career in health care. Since the scholarship’s inception, more than 600 Central Texas students have received scholarships to pursue health-related careers, many of whom have brought their skills and expertise back to Central Texas. 

Edward Burger, President & CEO, St. David’s Foundation states “The mission of the Foundation relies heavily on the tireless work of talented, dedicated health care professionals. And now, more than ever, it’s essential that we foster the next generation of physicians, nurses, dentists, lab technicians and other specialties to provide adequate care to underserved communities. As one of the largest health care scholarships in the country, we believe investing in and providing support to the bright young minds of Central Texas today can help advance health care in our five-county community tomorrow. We welcome students with the dream of helping to improve the health and well-being in our community to apply and look forward to welcoming our new class of scholars in the summer of 2021.”

St. David’s Foundation opened applications for the 2021 cycle of its St. David’s Neal Kocurek Scholarship program on Nov. 10, 2020. The scholarship provides recipients with financial assistance, a robust tutoring program, wellness coaching and mental health services, as well as pairs them with an accomplished health professional, who provides priceless mentorship throughout the scholar’s entire college journey. High school seniors within Travis, Hays, Williamson, Bastrop or Caldwell counties pursuing health professions and attending a university or college in the state of Texas are encouraged to apply. Eligibility requirements can be found online at scholarships.stdavidsfoundation.org. The deadline to apply is Jan. 8, 2021 at 11:59 PM. To apply, visit https://sdfscholarships.smapply.org/.

For more information:

YouTube Video – Overview of St. David’s Neal Kocurek Scholarship

·       Scholarship Website – St. David’s Neal Kocurek Scholarship