Annually, MHS Association contributes to the continued growth and development of member organizations and their constituents through the Innovation Grant, member awards, and two student scholarships – the Elmer Ediger Memorial Scholarship and the Miller Erb Nursing Scholarship.
The MHS Association Innovation Grant is an annual grant of $4,000 awarded to one or more MHS Association member organizations to help fund new and innovative programs that enhance the mission of their organization. The funding for this grant is made possible through the Lebanon Fund, an endowed fund used to enhance institutional health programs.
In 2024, the grant committee, which included Roy Teramoto, MHS Association Board Member; Kerry Hoke, MHS Association Board Member; Jill Seifer, Oaklawn VP HR; Loralei LaVoie, OMRS CEO; Karen Lehman, MHS Association President & CEO; and Clare Krabill, MHS Association COO, reviewed and voted on the grant recipient.
The grant was awarded at the 2024 MHS Assembly conference, held in Savannah, GA, to Adriel, an organization that recognizes that the journey of foster care for those who are considering it, going through the licensing process, or currently providing care is filled with days of mixed emotions, including joy, happiness, confusion, doubt, and fear. The grant was awarded to support the creation of a new innovative program to increase the number of diverse licensed homes, retain the current homes, and provide additional support to all by providing them with a comprehensive foster parent toolkit that would include several resources to help answer important questions for both the children in care, as well as those caring for them.
Also at the 2024 MHS Assembly, MHS Association awarded its two annual member recognition awards – the Natan Award and the Koinonia Award. MHS Association CEO Karen Lehman presented both awards to the recipient organizations and their employees.
The Koinonia Award celebrates and recognizes an MHS Association member organization that exemplifies the Anabaptist principle of community. The Greek word “koinonia” conveys community, communion, joint participation, sharing, and intimacy. As Anabaptists, community is central to our lives. As health and human service ministries, this Anabaptist value can bring healing and wholeness. All nominations were reviewed and voted on by an awards committee, which was touched and inspired by the many ways the Anabaptist value of community is being brought to life through MHS Association member ministries.
The 2024 Koinonia Award was presented to Friendship Community, an organization that fosters community for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by creating opportunities for them to receive from and give back to their community. A few examples of this are:
- Annual mural painting to beautify the downtown with a partnership between differently abled artists and community businesses.
- Cooperation with a downtown studio and art gallery to display art from differently-abled artists.
- Music and motion worship program presented at multiple local churches.
- Providing a summer camp for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- A Monthly Expressions of Love & Praise service open to the public.
- An annual talent night to highlight the talents of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Offering an annual wheelchair/walker wash at a local retirement community.
The Natan Award was created as a way of celebrating the best of Anabaptist values in MHS Association member ministries and the people who work there. “Natan” is the Hebrew word for “to give”, and this award is presented annually to an individual or team whose work demonstrates Christ-like service in leadership. Nominations were reviewed and voted on by an awards committee made up of Tonya Keim, Bluestem Executive Assistant; Myron Weaver, OrrVilla CEO and MHS board member; Scott Miller, Garden Spot Communications Director, Karen Lehman, MHS CEO; and Brandon Bell, Jubilee Association Talent Acquisition Manager.
The 2024 Natan Award was presented to Pastor Ron Shank, Director of Pastoral Care at Brook Lane, who was nominated by two of their colleagues. Shank is known as a positive, thoughtful, and calm presence for staff and patients. His interactions lift people up, make them feel important and valued, and help all of his colleagues in their walk with Christ. He consistently has time for anyone who needs him. His spiritual leadership is invaluable, as it keeps the staff connected to their founding guiding principles which were drawn from the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. He demonstrates care in many ways, including sending birthday cards each year to all 500 staff members.
In his nominations, colleagues note that Shank is a blessing to staff and patients alike, and his humble disposition, collaborative approach, and genuine care and empathy exemplify the Christ-like servitude that is central to Brook Lane’s Mission, Vision, and Values.
Two student scholarships are awarded annually – the Miller-Erb Nursing Scholarship and the Elmer Ediger Memorial Scholarship – through MHS Association.
Two $2,500 Miller-Erb undergraduate scholarships are available for students pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN). In 2024, Ariana Campos and Emma Dolieslager were awarded these funds.
Four students studying in the field of behavioral health or developmental disabilities are selected to receive the $3,000 Elmer Ediger Memorial scholarship. Ariana Campos, Hollyn Miller, Zekiyat Ahmed, and Kristenell Fowler were selected as the 2024 recipients.
MHS Association is honored to contribute to the development of new programs and initiatives of member organizations through the Innovation Grant, recognize and celebrate member organizations, staff, and teams through member awards, and support the education of emerging leaders in health and human services industries. Congratulations to all 2024 recipients!