Each year, the NCCHC Foundation helps a group of passionate, early-career professionals and students attend NCCHC conferences through its scholarship program. These individuals—physicians, nurses, mental health professionals, and students—are committed to providing high-quality care in institutions throughout the United States and Canada.

These scholarships are far more than travel stipends. They’re investments in the future of correctional health care—and in the people bold enough to lead it forward. For many recipients, the experience is life-changing. In April, the Foundation brought 14 scholarship winners to the NCCHC Spring Conference.

“This would not be possible, literally, without the generous donations of the Foundation. The fact that the Foundation prioritizes getting people like me to these events to be exposed to all of this great knowledge and networking… it’s really amazing.” – Danielle Hadley-Burkhead, RN
“I’ve met my people.” – Kimberly Dawson, MSN, RN

Two of this year’s recipients have lived experience and have come full circle to give back to their communities.

“It’s been amazing being able to establish rapport with the individuals and looking them in the eye and saying I get it and their face just lights up. My favorite thing to tell them, I say, yeah, I’m a corrections officer. I have a badge number. It’s 2290, but I also have a Louisiana DOC number. It’s 493057.” — Laura Stanley

Scholarship recipients gain more than education and networking—they gain a sense of belonging and the inspiration to continue their work in a challenging field.

“Having a mentor who works in a capacity similar to my own is going to carry on long after this conference ends.” – Julie Hart, MSA
“Just feeling really supported has been incredibly validating and reminds me I’m right where I need to be.” – Bianca Padilla, LPC

The Scholarship portal is open for the 2025 National Conference on Correctional Health Care, taking place November 1-5 in Baltimore. Learn more!