FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Melissa Tackett

Director of Marketing & Public Relations

Little River Healthcare System

Rockdale, TX

512-446-4500

LITTLE RIVER HEALTHCARE SYSTEM SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

Rockdale, Texas (January 14, 2008) – Little River Healthcare System recognizes education as a fundamental catalyst in realizing human potential.  This scholarship program is established to enable interested persons located in Milam County to continue or pursue an education in healthcare.  Applications are now available for the Little River Healthcare System Scholarship.  All applications must be received at the LRHS administrative offices no later than May 1, 2008.

“The LRHS Scholarship Program has been a great success, funding healthcare education for five individuals during the 2007-2008 academic year, while graduating one recipient”, stated Melissa Tackett, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Little River Healthcare System.  Recipients of the 2007 LRHS Scholarship were Camille Campbell, Charlissa Foster, Jill Morrow, Kaylee Niemtschk, and Karen Watson. 

When Blackhawk Healthcare acquired Richards Memorial Hospital in November, 2006, they established this scholarship program that will provide $25,000 per year for 10 years for local students with an interest in healthcare.  Five individual scholarships worth $5,000 each will be awarded each year to Milam County students who pursue medical careers.

“I believe education brings hope, confidence and a brighter future for individuals and their community.  This scholarship will help open doors and give the opportunities that one might not have had otherwise”, said Matt Kruse, Vice President of Communications for Blackhawk Healthcare.

Applications can be obtained by visiting the front desk at Richards Memorial Hospital, calling the main number at 512-446-4500 or by logging onto the Little River Healthcare website at www.lrhealthcare.com.

About Little River Healthcare System
Little River Healthcare System formed in November 2006 when Blackhawk Healthcare merged with Richards Memorial Hospital to create a for-profit healthcare system dedicated to providing high quality, patient-centered care to the community.  Little River Healthcare System is currently comprised of 4 facilities in surrounding areas: Richards Memorial Hospital, Family Care Center, Little River Medical Clinic - Rockdale, Little River Medical Clinic – Cameron and Little River Medical Clinic - Hearne.  Our energized and committed staff of employees, physicians and volunteers work together everyday to deliver our mission.

About Blackhawk Healthcare
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Blackhawk Healthcare is an owner and operator of rural healthcare facilities, specifically Critical Access Hospitals. Rural America is the most underserved, outdated sector of the healthcare industry. Rural community hospitals face a host of challenges ranging from attracting high-level expertise to obtaining state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to maintaining the trust and patronage of its community. Blackhawk is grateful for the opportunity to serve rural communities and improve the healthcare delivery of every rural community we serve. As such, we are passionately dedicated to the uniqueness of rural healthcare and improving the community by bringing the resources required to meet the broader needs of each "hometown" we touch. Blackhawk is inspired to provide excellence in service and modern facilities that convey trust, confidence and healing.