As Mason Health undergoes a number of capital improvement projects and recent expansion of primary and specialty services. The hospital district is also providing care to the newest generation of Mason County residents through the Birth Center at Mason General Hospital. Mason Health’s multi-faceted support for the next generation also extends to future healthcare workers, with dozens of scholarships awarded through a collaborative partnership with the Health Sciences Academy and Mason Health Foundation.
Mason Health Foundation Scholarships Supported by Centennial Guild, Auxiliary and Mason General Hospital Hospitalist Group Providers
It is a landmark year for the Mason Health Foundation, which awarded $95,000 in scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year. The newest Foundation scholarship fund was established this year by the Mason Health Hospitalist Group, made up of providers who care for patients admitted to Mason General Hospital. According to Dr. Douglas Lindahl, lead hospitalist at Mason General Hospital, the scholarship fund was a shared effort by hospitalist providers in support of knowledge and service to the community.
The scholarship’s selection criteria include academic success and interest in pursuing a healthcare-related career, with special consideration for first-generation college students. The inaugural $10,000 scholarship was awarded to Xiomara Sanchez-Barajas, a senior at Shelton High School. Sanchez-Barajas plans to attend the University of Washington School of Public Health this fall, and eventually apply to medical school.
The Mason Health Foundation Centennial Guild, a chapter of Mason Health Foundation, was established in 1989 to support the needs of the hospital. Over the years, this has included volunteer work, creating the Mason General Hospital Wellness Garden and fundraising for necessary medical equipment. In 2016, longtime member of the Centennial Guild Kristi Armstrong passed away. Soon after, the Centennial Guild shifted their focus to scholarship fundraising in memory of Armstrong.
The guild is currently made up of about 13 members, many of whom have been part of the guild since its founding. The Centennial Guild hosts a number of annual fundraisers in support of scholarships, including its annual Centennial Guild Scholarship Golf Tournament on September 25 at Salish Cliffs Golf Club in Shelton.
This year, the Centennial Guild awarded 19 scholarships, totaling $55,000, to local high school students and Mason Health employees interested in pursuing healthcare-related careers.
The Mason Health Foundation Auxiliary was one of the longest-running volunteer chapters at Mason Health. Over the years, the Auxiliary has provided critical volunteer support to events, blood banks and fundraising projects. The Auxiliary has also served as the caretakers of the hospital gift shop. Revenue from the gift shop helps to support healthcare scholarships for local students and Mason Health employees. This year, the Auxiliary awarded $30,000 across 18 scholarships, the MGF Auxiliary members have retired and the Foundation will continue to raise funds for scholarships into the future through a variety of fundraising efforts..
Mason Health also awarded the annual Health Sciences Academy nursing scholarships to four graduating seniors from Shelton High School, with three students accepting the award. The full-ride Health Sciences Academy nursing scholarships include tuition, books, supplies, lab fees and licensure application fees. Scholarship recipients also have the opportunity to work at Mason Health in nurse tech roles while they attend school to further their hands-on education and experience.
Mason Health Quality Patient Care Recognized Through Healthcare Awards from Professional Research Consultants
Recently, the Mason Health Birth Center and Mason General Hospital Inpatient Services were recognized for their exceptional patient experience through the Excellence in Healthcare Award from Professional Research Consultants (PRC).
PRC helps facilitate patient surveys after medical visits, emergency department visits and hospital stays. In addition to complying with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service regulations, Mason Health collects patient surveys through Professional Research Consultants in order to advance patient care and comfort. This feedback has helped Mason Health to take on projects that strengthen patient communication, including discharge and medication instruction.
The Birth Center received a Five-Star award from PRC, scoring in the top 10% in the US for Overall Hospital Rating, from data collected in the 2025 Inpatient OB/GYN Services Normative Database. Mason General Hospital’s Inpatient Services received the Four Star Award from PRC, scoring in the top 25% in the US for Overall Hospital Rating from data collected in the 2025 Inpatient Services Normative Database.
Mason Health Foundation Leads Fundraising Efforts for Birth Center Equipment
Each year, the Mason Health Birth Center attends to more than 350 births, with that figure continuing to grow. The Mason Health Birth Center goes above and beyond in their care for new mothers and babies, including check-in calls after they leave the hospital.
As medical technology advances, Mason Health plans to maintain a safe and comfortable birth experience through four new Philips Avalon FM series fetal and maternal monitors for the Birth Center. Wireless fetal monitors can track the fetal heart rate and signs of fetal distress, while also allowing the mother to continue moving and walking, which can be beneficial during labor. The new monitors are also resistant to interference from cell phones and other wireless hospital equipment.
Fundraising efforts are underway for the new fetal monitors, including proceeds from the Quality Care Open Golf Tournament that took place in July. The Mason Health Foundation is also looking ahead to its annual Enchanted Evening Dinner Auction on November 14, complete with an “Enchanted Evening in Wonderland” theme.
In addition to fundraising events, the Mason Health Foundation Forever Fund supports equipment needs across the hospital district, including for the Birth Center.
To learn more about Mason Health Foundation scholarships, the Forever Fund and upcoming fundraising events, visit the Mason Health website.
Sponsored
