The medical staff at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital recently teamed up with the Community Foundation for Mason County to invest in local students who dream of wearing a white coat. The group’s newly established Ludington Hospital Medical Staff Physicians Scholarship Fund will support the next generation of doctors while also addressing the long-term health needs of the community.

Last month, the first scholarship from the fund was awarded to Adison Thorne of Mason County Central High School. Chief of Staff Dr. Ryan Rodd, who was instrumental in establishing the fund, presented the award at the MCC Scholarship Awards Ceremony.

In her application, Adison shared her inspiring drive and goal for the future: “After high school, I plan to attend Aquinas College for four years to get my bachelor’s degree in biology or biochemistry. To prepare for this, I have been setting aside money from each paycheck to help cover my college expenses, such as books and food. I have also been taking classes that relate to my major and my future career. I hope to become an anesthesiologist once I have gotten my MD.”

To ensure this support continues to reach students like Adison who are committed to the demanding journey of medicine, the medical staff outlined specific guidelines for applicants: The scholarship is for graduating seniors from Mason County high schools or college students from local high schools. Applicants must pursue an MD or DO at an accredited institution and maintain a 3.5+ unweighted GPA. The nature of the scholarship is unique; rather than offering just a one-time grant, the medical staff’s goal is to walk alongside a recipient throughout their entire higher education journey, providing ongoing support all the way through medical school.

Dr. Bret Autrey, the former medical executive staff treasurer who also helped create the fund, highlighted why investing in homegrown talent is so critical for rural areas. He noted that our country faces a significant shortage and maldistribution of doctors, with rural areas like Mason County hit the hardest. Dr. Autrey believes there is no better candidate for a future physician to serve our area than someone who is already from here and truly understands our community.

All of the physicians behind the fund know firsthand that the road to practicing medicine is a massive undertaking, heavy with academic rigor and financial strain. Reflecting on the daunting costs of medical education, Dr. Autrey shared, “My hope is that this scholarship will be a financial and emotional boost to let students know that they are capable and supported.”

Dr. Rodd highlighted the medical staff’s desire to give back to the region that supports their own practices. He said that the group of physicians is deeply grateful for the opportunities they have been given to provide care, and their hope is to return that support to the community for generations to come.

“The training experience in medicine is notoriously difficult; our hope is to ease some of the financial burdens of that process, and reinforce our commitment to the community,” Dr. Rodd explained.

The Ludington Hospital Medical Staff Physicians Scholarship Fund represents a multi-generational story of giving. For years, current and retired physicians contributed annual dues to a central hospital account, accumulating surplus funds over time. When deciding how to put that unspent money to its best use, the medical staff voted to invest it in the next generation. It has become a permanent, collective legacy that will continue to support local students long after today’s physicians have retired.

Dr. Rodd noted that it is truly an honor to be part of a medical staff with a vision for the future that extends well beyond their own careers.

Dr. Autrey echoed how meaningful it is to establish this legacy. “As physicians, we strive to make a difference in people’s lives. The impact that we have may last for a few weeks, to several years, but to be involved in starting something that could positively impact multiple generations of this community is pretty special!”