March 20, 2018

Hepper earns McGaw health administration scholarship

by Pete Rosenbery

Sarah Hepper CARBONDALE, Ill. — Sarah Hepper, a junior in Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Health Care Management program, is the recipient of a 2018 Foster G. McGaw Scholarship from the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA).

The Foster G. McGaw Scholarship provides financial support to undergraduate and graduate students in health administration. Since the program was established in 1975, more than 900 scholarships have been awarded. Another SIU student, Kendall Cole, earned the award in 2017.

Health care management is ‘right fit’

Hepper began her career at SIU studying biomedical sciences but opted to change to health care management.

“Within my first semester of taking HCM courses I knew it was the right fit. Between the material covered, the great faculty and abundant opportunities, I knew it was the right fit,” she said. “I have come to love this program.”

She added she is “very humbled and honored to be given this award from such a prestigious organization.”

Endowed scholarship honors Foster G. McGaw, founder of the American Hospital Supply Corp.

AUPHA states that McGaw recognized the importance of health administration education and the organization’s contributions. The fund supports the education of outstanding health management students and are awarded annually to all AUPHA full member programs.

“We are quite proud of Ms. Hepper and appreciate AUPHA for providing the scholarship so outstanding students like her can be recognized,” Sandra K. Collins professor and Health Care Management program director, said. 

Has a busy schedule in addition to her studies

Hepper is the daughter of Michelle and Greg Hepper of Wildwood, Mo. She plans to obtain a master’s in health administration with the hope of going into hospital administration.

In addition to making the dean’s list, Hepper balances a job, being a member of the Student Leadership Honors Society and a member of the Saluki Shakers dance team.