NCK Medical Center Volunteers announce 2026 Scholarship Recipients

Published July 13, 2026

(June 15, 2026) – The North Central Kansas Medical Center Volunteers are pleased to announce their health care scholarship recipients for 2026: Skylar Kahrs, Keidra Strait, Keri Farmer and Kylee Herrman. Each student has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

Skylar Kahrs is a 2024 graduate of Clifton-Clyde High School and has begun her college education at the University of Kansas. She plans to earn a degree to become a physician assistant. While always interested in science and research, she was ultimately drawn to a role as a health care provider. “This path stood out to me because it allows for meaningful patient interaction, while also offering the opportunity to continually learn and grow within different areas of medicine,” Kahrs said.

Keidra Strait graduated from Concordia High School in 2021 and attended Cloud County Community College, Fort Hays State and Hutchinson Community College before earning an associate’s degree in applied science. She plans to attend Labette Community College to further her education in radiology – specifically general and vascular sonography. “This would better serve my rural community by providing more technologists to perform the exams patients need, so they do not have to travel for their imaging services,” Strait said.

Keri Farmer is a 2026 graduate of Concordia High School. Farmer experienced the illness and death of her grandfather at a young age, and says, “I was always thankful for the nurses and doctors he had. They all treated him and my family with so much kindness.” She plans to major in health science at Cloud County Community College and then explore different health careers, such as physical therapy and sonography.

Kylee Herrman is a 2026 graduate of Concordia High School and plans to attend Cloud County Community College to further her training in nursing. She currently works at a nursing home as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Noting that some people are working just for the money, Herrman says, “One of my top priorities is making the residents feel loved.” Eventually, she would like to work as a hospice nurse.

NCKMC Volunteers encourage healthcare career choices by awarding scholarships each year to students who are entering a medical field of study.

Pictured: Keidra Strait, Skylar Kahrs, Kathy Kadavy (President), Keri Farmer and Kylee Herrman.