Seven Cascade Medical employees were awarded a total of $5,600 in scholarships this spring through Cascade Medical Foundation’s Mark Judy Memorial Caregiver Education Fund.
This is the second year for the scholarship program that honors the legacy of former hospital administrator and Foundation board member Mark Judy and helps grow the skills of highly coveted health care workers at Cascade Medical.
“We are excited to advance Mark Judy’s legacy by awarding educational scholarships to 7 Cascade Medical employees,” said Bob Adamson, Foundation board member who leads the education committee. He noted the number of employees receiving scholarships and the total amount are more than twice what was awarded last year.
“We are proud of every scholarship recipient, and the impact they will continue to make at Cascade Medical as they grow educationally,” he said.
This year's scholarship recipients are:
- Katie Larsen, medical laboratory technician, received $1,500 toward a bachelor of laboratory science degree. She has worked at Cascade Medical for nearly nine years, starting when still a student completing clinicals in the lab, then getting hired as a tech. She is currently halfway through the program to be a certified medical technologist/clinical laboratory specialist.
- Hannah Smith, medical assistant certified, nursing assistant certified, received $1,000 toward prerequisites for a nursing degree from Wenatchee Valley College. She has worked at Cascade Medical for 1 year and 9 months, going through Cascade Medical’s apprentice program, earning her medical assistant certification, and her nursing assistant certification after completing the MAC to NAC bridge course.
- Patricia Weatherwax, Family Clinic referral coordinator, received $1,500 toward a bachelor’s degree in Health Information and Statistics Management. She has worked at Cascade Medical for more than three years, and has been in the medical profession for 15 years. She has 20 college credits in billing, coding and pre-nursing, with another two years to get the degree. It will help her be better equipped to optimize hospital systems, analyze healthcare data, contribute to evidence-based decision-making processes and mentor younger colleagues.
- Four members of the business office team received $399 each for the national Healthcare Financial Management Association’s “revenue cycle specialist” certification. The group application was submitted on their behalf by Jerri Smith, director of business services. The training will provide additional expertise with billing, claim submissions and revenue collection.
- The team members seeking the certification are:
- Jaimie Goehring, lead revenue recovery specialist: Jaimie started at Cascade Medical as a physical therapy representative 5 years ago, then moved to the billing department right before COVID. She was soon named lead biller, which includes Medicare billing.
- Julie Skylstad, payment and adjustment: Julie started as a patient service representative in February 2021 and moved into the payment and adjustment position in the business office in August 2021. She helped with the Meditech implementation and Healthland conversion of historical accounts.
- Blossom Schur, provider enrollment and contract coordinator: Blossom joined Cascade Medical in May 2011 as a part-time patient service representative in the emergency department and helped assist other departments as needed. She was hired as a PSR in the rehabilitation department and was soon promoted to rehabilitation service coordinator. In 2021, she transitioned to provider enrollment and contract coordinator. Her responsibilities include enrolling provider staff with all insurance payers — Medicare, Medicaid and commercial insurance plans — and ensuring compliance with facility contractors. She also helps with billing claims for military plans.
- Lora Zamudio, Blue Cross reimbursement specialist: Lora has been an employee since 2003, starting as a patient service representative. She moved to the business office two years ago.
- The team members seeking the certification are:
The scholarship program offers Cascade Medical — and its employees — an edge.
“There’s a shortage of healthcare workers across the U.S. This shortage is often exacerbated in rural areas where it can be difficult to recruit people with the right technical expertise,” Cascade Medical CEO Diane Blake said. “Fortunately for our community, the Mark Judy fund helps provide essential funding to support our team members as they desire to grow their expertise. This helps retain stellar team members and ensures we have the right skillsets to best care for our community. We’re grateful for our ongoing partnership with the Foundation.”
Pictured above: The 2025 Mark Judy Memorial
Caregiver Education Fund Scholarship recipients
show off certificates presented in April
by Cascade Medical Foundation Board Members.
Pictured, standing from left: Terri Judy (CMF);
Hanna Smith; Bob Adamson (CMF);
Blossom Schur; Patricia Weatherwax;
Jaimie Goehring; Karen Nodolf (CMF);
Julie Skylstad; Lora Zamudio and
Katie Larsen (with Teddy). Front row:
Kathi Nash (CMF). (CMF photo)
Cascade Medical Foundation continues to build the core fund to ensure scholarships will be available in perpetuity while offering resources to employees looking to improve their skills and advance their careers with training and certifications. The hope is to continue to increase the scholarship amounts available each spring.
The scholarship winners were selected from a pool of exceptional applicants by a committee of four Foundation members, a community member and two Cascade Medical staff members. The committee considered criteria including education and career plans, financial need and whether the training fills a strategic or personnel need for Cascade Medical.
About the Mark Judy education fund
2024 scholarships