St. David’s Foundation has donated $50,000 to the Austin Community College Foundation for scholarships benefiting students enrolled in ACC’s Health Sciences programs. The ACC Foundation will award 25 scholarships, each worth $2,000, for the 2010-2011 academic year.

St. David’s Scholarship Donation Check Presentation (left to right: Earl Maxwell, CEO of St. David’s Foundation Community Fund; Dr. Eileen Klein, executive dean, ACC Health Sciences; Allen Kaplan, vice chair of the ACC Board of Trustees; Cassandra Wiggins, ACC Foundation Board of Directors; Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, ACC president/CEO).

The scholarships are named in honor of Dr. W. Neal Kocurek, who served as president/CEO of St. David’s HealthCare System for six years. He was passionate about creating a healthcare structure for the uninsured among regional providers and addressing the root causes of health problems in Austin. Dr. Kocurek was also a valued member of the ACC Foundation’s Board of Directors. He passed away in 2004.

“With the tremendous need for more professionals in the healthcare field, we are delighted to provide this financial support for students who are pursuing Health Sciences degrees,” said Earl Maxwell, CEO of St. David’s Foundation and a founding member of the ACC Foundation.

The generous donation will help the ACC Foundation award $460,000 in scholarships during the upcoming year.

“We are pleased St. David’s Foundation has chosen to partner with the Austin Community College Foundation,” says Cassandra Wiggins, ACC Foundation board member. “Many students face incredible barriers just getting to college, and the cost can easily be a deterrent. This scholarship program is a lasting tribute to Neal Kocurek’s passion to further education, which in turn will provide quality healthcare for our region.”