Formed in 2006, the Southside Health Education Foundation (SHEF) is a 501(c)3 charitable organization serving Petersburg and the surrounding region. SHEF’s mission is to advance educational opportunities for students pursuing a career in the healthcare industry through the receipt and distribution of educational scholarships and funds to be used for tuition and other related educational expenses. By supporting the region in this way, SHEF plays a critical role in improving the lives of residents through access to education; improving the overall health and quality of life for the region by expanding the number of health care employees; and improving the economic vitality and future of the region by developing a skilled workforce.
In an effort to ensure financial assistance is available for students pursuing careers in allied health, SHEF established the Dr. Fred Ende Fund for Allied Health (the Fund). Allied health professionals collaborate with physicians, nurses, dentists, and pharmacists and include, but are not limited to, dental hygienists, diagnostic medical sonographers, dietitians, medical technologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, radiographers, respiratory therapists, and speech language pathologists. Allied health professionals comprise nearly 60% of the healthcare workforce and the demand for their specialized expertise is growing.
The Fund is specifically targeted to those students affiliated with SHEF’s service region who are pursuing an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or graduate degree in an allied health profession and who demonstrate financial need. An award from the Fund will be in the form of a forgivable loan. To be eligible to receive the award, students must have graduated from high school or received their GED, and they must be pursuing an associate degree or higher in the field of allied health. Students who accept an award from the Fund and successfully maintain employment following graduation in the SHEF service region will receive credit for their time worked against the outstanding balance of the loan. In establishing the Fund as a forgivable loan program, SHEF aims to connect this financial assistance to the healthcare workforce needs in its service region.
The Fund honors the legacy of SHEF’s second board chair and his advocacy to provide financial support to students affiliated with the SHEF service region who wish to become allied health professionals serving the needs of residents of SHEF’s service region.
Administration of the Fund
- A student accepted into an accredited post-secondary allied health program and has a 2.0 GPA or higher, may apply to receive an award of financial assistance from the Fund. SHEF will select qualified applicants and will administer the awards under the Fund for each semester of study.
- The financial award is distributed in the form of a forgivable loan, and the recipient must enter into a work commitment agreement with SHEF and promise to repay the loan if the conditions of the Fund are not satisfied.
- A student who has received an award from the Fund must enter the workforce in a position consistent with his or her academic discipline within one hundred eighty days (180) days following completion of their degree program. Students are responsible for obtaining employment, and SHEF has no responsibility to provide or offer employment to any student.
- A student who has received an award from the Fund but is unable to successfully find required employment in the SHEF Service Region within one hundred eighty (180) days following completion of their degree program, must commence repayment of the loan on the 181st day. The SHEF Board may, in its discretion, delay repayment if compelling reasons exist.
- Six (6) months of continual full-time or permanent part-time employment as an allied health professional in the approved geographic area will be credited for forgiveness of one (1) semester for which the student receives financial assistance from the Fund.
- SHEF retains the authority to set any additional conditions or requirements for awards to preserve the intention of the Fund.
- Recipients of this fund are required to obtain employment within the SHEF Service Region upon graduation and maintain employment within the service region for a minimum of two (2) years.