WICKENBURG, AZ (June, 15, 2021) – A young woman born and raised in Wickenburg is the 2021 recipient of two scholarships from the Wickenburg Community Hospital Foundation. Kiley McTighe, was awarded the Wickenburg Community Hospital Scholarship and the William J. Firth III, M.D., Rural Medicine Scholarship. She will be attending Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff to study nursing.
McTighe, the valedictorian of Wickenburg High School Class of 2021, knew she wanted a career allowing her to help people. During middle school she focused on nursing and planned to specialize in trauma medicine, but she changed her mind while volunteering at WCH.
“I learned a lot volunteering,” says McTighe. “There are so many kinds of nursing so I’m not sure which specialty I’ll choose, but my experience at WCH confirmed how important nurses are and how big of an impact you can make being one.”
While her time volunteering made quite an impression on McTighe, she also made an impression on those she worked with at WCH.
“It was a pleasure having Kiley on our volunteer team,” says Gogi Gay, manager of volunteers and training at WCH. “Our program allowed her to spend time with patients and see our care teams in action solidifying her interest in healthcare.”
McTighe received $1,000 from WCH employees who contributed to a scholarship fund through the Jeans for Charity Program. She also received $1,000 from the family of Dr. William Firth, and was selected for both scholarships based on her academic achievement, history of citizenship and commitment to excellence.
“I am amazed by the generosity in Wickenburg,” says McTighe. “So many are willing to help and interested in seeing me grow. I am so thankful.”
McTighe’s roots are in Wickenburg. When she graduates from nursing school at NAU, she plans to return to her childhood home, practice nursing at WCH and help her community the way it helped her.
Erika Braaksma
Wickenburg Community Hospital Foundation
Executive Director