Kendall Market, Camryn Smith, and Ciara Thebaud, are the 2025 recipients of the Hughston Foundation Alumni Scrubs Camp Scholarship.
“We had planned for one student to receive the award, but after a generous donation from an anonymous supporter, we were able to grant 3 students with the inaugural scholarship,” said Executive Director, Belinda Klein. “We are especially grateful for the additional support because these winners are so deserving of the award.”
In their essay, each student described a clear path to a career in healthcare once they complete their collegiate education. They also described how Scrubs Camp helped them find their educational path to a medical career.
“To help me fully understand what I would be getting myself into by pursuing the medical field my parents signed me up for a Scrubs Camp. The way this camp changed my life and my whole understanding of the medical field was something I was not prepared for,” said Kendall Market. A mock baby delivery changed her life. Since Scrubs Camp, Market has spent her summers volunteering and working at an OB/GYN clinic. She is attending Augusta University in the fall with her goals set to attend medical school after graduation. “I tell everyone I delivered my first baby, because I know now that I want to spend my life being a doctor who helps deliver many more. I have my time at Scrubs Camp to thank for this.”
Camryn Smith said, “I have always had a strong desire to help people recover from injuries and improve their physical well-being, but Scrubs Camp allowed me to explore a variety of medical professions that broadened my perspective and reinforced my passion for rehabilitation.” Smith, who is a student at the University of Mississippi in the Exercise Science Department, said, “my long-term career goal is to become a physical therapist or sport rehabilitation specialist, where I can help individuals recover from injuries, particularly those related to orthopaedic surgery.”
“The moment I held an endoscope at Scrubs Camp, everything changed,” said Ciara Thebaud. “What was once a mere interest in healthcare transformed into a burning passion.” Thebaud is enrolled in the nursing program at Fort Valley State University. “What made Scrubs Camp truly life-changing was not just the hands-on experiences, but the confidence and clarity it gave me. For the first time, I saw myself as someone who belonged in healthcare, not just as a student, but as a future professional.”
Along with being a Scrubs Camp alumnus, to qualify, the students must be enrolled in an accredited college or university in a healthcare program. To apply, the students must answer 2 questions in essay format and submit them to the scholarship committee for review. The goal is to award the scholarship to at least one student each year from past attendees of Hughston’s Scrubs Camp program.
During the 5 days of Scrubs Camp, the students rotate to the Hughston Foundation, Columbus Technical College, Columbus State University, Mercer University School of Medicine, and Valley Healthcare. At these educational facilities, the students enjoy lab demonstrations, department tours, surgical videos, and hands-on activities. Speakers and topics covered during camp include medical illustration, surgical nursing and technologist, physician and residency program, physical and occupational therapy, athletic training, optometry, and a number of other medical professions. Our camps have been so successful; we offer it twice a year in June and July. Click here for more information.
Last edited on August 29, 2025