Sandy Backus, a patient service representative at HFM Cancer Center, has been awarded the Karen Kvalo Deehr Memorial Scholarship from Holy Family Memorial.
The scholarship is awarded annually to an HFM employee pursuing higher education in a health care-related field.
Sandy began her career with HFM in 2012 and is working toward earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Silver Lake College to become a registered nurse.
The scholarship was created in honor of Karen Kvalo Deehr by husband, retired Judge Allan Deehr, and Karen’s parents, Arnold and Harriet Kvalo. Karen’s family established the scholarship with a high regard for education and the opportunity to expand knowledge as Karen Deehr did. Karen earned a bachelor’s degree in health care administration one month prior to her death. Karen was director of HFM’s Home Health and Hospice Department from 1986 through 1995.