FutureCare NC Announces Recipients of the Polly Godwin Welsh LTC Nurses Scholarship 

FutureCare NC is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Polly Godwin Welsh LTC Nurses Scholarship. This year, two outstanding long-term care professionals were selected to receive $10,000 scholarships in support of their nursing education and continued commitment to serving residents in long-term care settings. 

The 2026 scholarship recipients are:

• Kathy Styles – College Pines Health and Rehabilitation
• Jessica Fitzgerald – Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation

The Polly Godwin Welsh LTC Nurses Scholarship was established to honor Polly’s lifelong dedication to quality improvement, leadership, and advocacy in long-term care. The scholarship is designed to support individuals who demonstrate a passion for resident-centered care and a commitment to advancing their careers in the profession. 

This year’s recipients were selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants representing facilities and organizations across North Carolina. The selection committee was inspired by the applicants’ personal stories, dedication to long-term care, and desire to continue growing as healthcare professionals. 

“Long-term care depends on compassionate and committed professionals who are willing to continue learning and growing,” the FutureCare NC Board of Directors said. “We are proud to support these scholarship recipients as they pursue their nursing education and continue serving some of North Carolina’s most vulnerable citizens.” 

FutureCare NC also encourages applicants who were not selected this year to reapply in the future. One of this year’s scholarship recipients was a repeat applicant, reflecting the importance of persistence and continued dedication to professional growth. 

Congratulations again to this year’s scholarship recipients, and thank you to all who applied for their commitment to the long-term care profession.