BCCHF Community Health Projects

Health Care Scholarships

Each year, our Foundation awards health care scholarships to Bates County students who are pursuing a career in health care.

The Gehm Scholarship is for four years, payable $500 per semester, for a total of $4,000, provided that the recipient stays in a health care field and maintains the required GPA.

The BCCHF Health Care Scholarship is a one-year, $1,000 scholarship, for residents of Bates County who have already been accepted into a chosen health care educational program. The applicant must have a GPA of 3.0.

Scholarship Criteria:

Reside in Bates County
Pursuing a career in the healthcare field
Must be accepted in a chosen healthcare program
Maintain a grade point average of 3.0 (provide copy of transcript)
Good communication skills
Essay stating why a healthcare career is being pursued
Three letters of recommendation

Complete scholarship criteria and application process is found in the application form. Deadline to submit applications: May 24, 2024.

BCCHF Scholarship Application

For more information, please contact:

Administration Office
Bates County Community Health Foundation
P.O. Box 370
Butler, MO 64730
Phone: 660-200-7072
Fax: 660-200-7004

Proposed Regional Activity Center

A community center has long been on the wish list for residents of Bates County. This project began in 2022, when an investment broker approached the BCMH board of directors, stating that a trust had been established solely for this purpose, with the condition that a center be located on the hospital’s grounds. An action committee was formed to explore this effort. Currently, the action committee is seeking a relationship with the YMCA.

Action Committee members for the Proposed Regional Activity Center are Linda L. Jennings, Mike Taranto, David Hilgenberg, Greg Weaver, Larry Burch, Larry Hacker, Chance Hedrick, Chris White, Jeremy Jones and Shanya Hedrick.

How You Can Help

All donations for a Proposed Regional Activity Center center will be channeled through the Bates County Community Health Foundation (BCCHF). The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) and contributions made to the organization are tax deductible. For more information or to make a contribution contact: