Scholarship Support Helps Future Respiratory Therapist Find Her Place at Valley Health 

For Chloe, a career in healthcare has always felt like a path filled with purpose and stability. 

Growing up in Petersburg, West Virginia, Chloe was familiar with the impact healthcare professionals can have on their communities. Her mother worked as a nurse at Valley Health Hampshire Memorial Hospital and often spoke positively about her experience there. That early exposure helped Chloe see healthcare as a meaningful and dependable career path, one where she could make a difference while building a future for herself and her family. 

At first, Chloe thought nursing might be the right fit. But after earning an associate degree in health science from Potomac State, she discovered respiratory therapy through the program at Allegany College of Maryland.  What started as a “why not try it?” decision quickly became something more. 

Now entering her second year in the respiratory therapy program, Chloe is preparing for a career focused on helping patients breathe easier, literally and figuratively. She appreciates that respiratory therapy allows her to concentrate deeply on a specialized area of care, including the lungs, heart and how those systems work together, work that feels both meaningful and manageable. 

Removing Financial Barriers, Opening Doors 

Chloe recently received a respiratory therapy scholarship funded through Valley Health Foundations, support that will cover her tuition for both the current semester and next semester. After graduation, she plans to take her boards and begin working with Valley Health. 

For Chloe, the scholarship is more than financial assistance. It is relief, encouragement, and a reminder that others believe in her future. 

“It means a ton,” she said. “Any amount of money for school is a huge help, but especially when you’re in college and in a program that requires your full attention.” 

Chloe said the scholarship has helped reduce the financial stress that can come with pursuing a demanding healthcare program. She has been fortunate not to take out student loans so far, and this support helps her continue that path. 

A Welcoming Environment That Stood Out 

As part of her training, Chloe has completed clinical experiences at several locations. During her time at Winchester Medical Center, she noticed something that made Valley Health stand out: the culture. 

Chloe described Winchester Medical Center as one of her favorite clinical settings, saying the atmosphere felt happy, uplifting and supportive. She especially appreciated that she never felt like she was “in the way” as a student and felt comfortable asking questions. 

“I never felt stupid for asking a question,” Chloe said. “I definitely felt like I was helped a lot more there than at other places. The environment was just a lot happier.” 

That experience played an important role in her decision to apply for the scholarship and consider Valley Health as the place where she wants to begin her career. 

For students and early-career healthcare professionals, that kind of support matters. Learning in a fast-paced clinical environment takes confidence, curiosity and a team willing to teach. For Chloe, Valley Health offered exactly that, a place where she could learn, grow and feel welcomed. 

Preparing for What's Next 

After graduation, Chloe hopes to begin working at Winchester Medical Center and is already thinking about how she may continue her education in the future. She is considering pursuing a bachelor’s degree, potentially through online coursework while working. 

More than anything, she is excited to start her career in a field she has grown to love, and in a health system where she has already felt supported. 

“I really think I’ll like it there,” Chloe said. “Hopefully, I’ll be able to stay longer.” 

For Valley Health, Chloe’s story is a reminder of why investing in the next generation of healthcare professionals matters. Scholarships like this help remove barriers for students pursuing high-demand careers, including respiratory therapy, and create pathways for talented, compassionate individuals to serve patients across the region. 

For Chloe, it is the beginning of a meaningful career. For Valley Health patients, it is an investment in future care. And for the donors and Foundation supporters who made it possible , it is a powerful example of generosity at work.