2025 Aspirus Scholars named to tackle physician shortage

The Aspirus Health Foundation has awarded two medical students $350,000 in scholarships through its Aspirus Scholars Program. The students, both from the Medical College of Wisconsin-Central Wisconsin campus (MCW-CW), accepted their scholarships during a ceremony on February 6.

The Aspirus Scholars Program is a community collaboration to address the national physician shortage and meet the needs of people and communities in north central Wisconsin and Upper Michigan today and for future generations.

It provides generous scholarships for tuition to medical students and connects them to Aspirus and the communities served by Aspirus during their training. In return, students commit to employment at Aspirus in the areas of primary care, psychiatry, or general surgery.

This year’s scholarships were awarded to:

Kaylynn Imsande, First-Year Medical Student (Hometown: Menomonie, WI)

Rhiley Maguire, First-Year Medical Student (Hometown: Mosinee WI)

“Our Aspirus Scholars award recipients already have strong ties to our area and are passionate about medicine and caring for patients,” said Lanna Scannell, Aspirus Vice President, System Philanthropy. “Both will be a tremendous addition to the Aspirus family and help us grow access to vital services in our communities.”

A selection committee made up of Aspirus physicians and community members from Wisconsin and the U.P. screened applications and selected the recipients. This is the ninth class of Aspirus Scholars.

The Aspirus Scholars Program is made possible through contributions from Aspirus hospitals, as well as community partners such as The Legacy Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, Judd S. Alexander Foundation, Dwight and Linda Davis Foundation, B.A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation, Dudley Foundation, and the family of the late surgeon Dr. Al Molinaro.