Hayes Clark of Green Sea Floyds High School was named the first recipient of the Ronald Fowler Next Generation Healthcare Scholarship on May 19.

Hayes plans on attending the University of South Carolina and majoring in biological sciences with an ultimate goal of medical school. A high-achieving student, Hayes has a solid healthcare foundation based on his volunteering at McLeod Health Loris and McLeod Health Seacoast. Of the 11 applicants he was also the only candidate with a certification in basic lifesaving (BLS). Hayes said that his interest in a healthcare career started when he saw various nurses and physicians give compassionate care to his grandmother after she suffered a stroke. The experience “really inspired me to want to do something similar, where I can make an impact on someone’s life the same way they did for my grandma,” said Hayes.

Fowler serves on the McLeod Health Board of Trustees and recently served as Chairman of the board. The McLeod Health Foundation will present the annual $1,000 scholarship annually to a student pursuing a career in healthcare.