Marion Joy Morse Scholarship
Congratulations to the newest Marion Joy Morse Scholarship award recipients from the MDIHS class of 2026! They are Lauren Donnell, Willa Dow, Lillian Norwood, Charlotte Stanley, Pixie Urquhart-Asbury, and Luna Wilhelm. Each recipient will receive a scholarship award of $3,500 after successfully completing their first semester of college.
Established to invest in the next generation of medical professionals, the Marion Joy Morse Scholarship provides financial assistance to students from Mount Desert Island, studying in a medical field, helping them achieve their educational goals while preparing to serve their communities. It was created in 1972 by Barbara Ellen Joy, who named it the Marion Joy Morse Scholarship to honor her mother who was the first President of the MDI Health Auxiliary. Since 2025, it has been managed by the Maine Community Foundation in collaboration with the MDI Health Auxiliary scholarship committee chaired by Debbie Dyer who has overseen the program since its inception.
Eligible applicants must either have been born on Mount Desert Island or have attended a school located on Mount Desert Island. The scholarship is available to students pursuing a wide range of healthcare-related educational paths. Students who remain in school may apply to have their scholarship renewed, the program thus providing ongoing support throughout a student’s educational journey. Awarded amounts vary with the number of successful applicants and their academic progress. The scholarship has long been supported by the Mount Desert Island Health Auxiliary, whose members are dedicated to strengthening healthcare on Mount Desert Island through volunteerism, fundraising, and educational support. Over the years, the Auxiliary has helped talented local students pursue careers in nursing, medicine, allied health professions, and other healthcare fields through the Marion Joy Morse Scholarship Fund.
By reducing financial barriers to education, the Marion Joy Morse Scholarship honors a tradition of community investment and encourages local students to pursue meaningful careers in healthcare. Many recipients go on to develop the knowledge and skills needed to make a lasting difference in the lives of patients and communities, carrying forward the scholarship’s mission of supporting the future of healthcare.
The MDI Health Auxiliary, formerly the MDI Hospital Auxiliary, has been a vital part of healthcare on Mount Desert Island since 1948. Through volunteerism, fundraising, and community engagement, the Auxiliary supports MDI Health’s mission of providing compassionate, high-quality care to patients across the region. Over the years, Auxiliary members have raised funds through community events, sales, auctions, and other initiatives, helping purchase equipment and patient care resources that directly benefit local healthcare services. The Auxiliary also supports the next generation of healthcare professionals through programs such as the Marion Joy Morse Scholarship Fund, which assists Island students pursuing careers in healthcare. With a longstanding tradition of service and philanthropy, the MDI Health Auxiliary continues to make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of our community.
