The Higher Foundation, in partnership with Sage Consulting Partners, is proud to announce the launch of the SASH Scholarship (Shirley Ann Steinback-Hawthrone Scholarship) — a new community-sourced initiative designed to support the next generation of healthcare leaders and honor a lifetime of service and leadership. The SASH Scholarship will support a Georgia college student pursuing a degree in the field of nursing.

A Birthday Celebration with Purpose

The scholarship is championed by Shirley’s children, Shammara Pope and Cameron Steinback, as a special legacy project to celebrate their mother’s 75th birthday. Rather than marking the milestone with traditional gifts, the siblings chose to launch a crowdsourced scholarship campaign that invites Shirley’s community of family, friends, and former colleagues to invest in emerging healthcare leaders.

“This is a meaningful way to transform personal celebration into a community investment for the next generation. The campaign highlights how a collective effort can create lasting impact through education-focused philanthropy” said Cameron, a passionate educator and community advocate.”

A Community-Funded Legacy

“Instead of focusing on a single day, we wanted to create something lasting that reflects the values our mother has lived by and gives others the opportunity to be part of that legacy” said Shammara, Founder of Sage Consulting Partners. The SASH Scholarship will be funded through a six-week public fundraising campaign from February 13 through March 31, 2026. The campaign reflects a collective approach to philanthropy, inviting friends, colleagues, and community members to contribute toward a shared goal of supporting students pursuing careers in the nursing field.

Honoring a Career in Healthcare and Education

The SASH Scholarship honors the academic and professional legacy of Shirley Ann Steinback-Hawthrone, a retired healthcare executive and registered nurse whose career spanned nearly five decades. She earned degrees from San José State University and the University of San Francisco, and spent her professional life advancing patient-centered care, education, and leadership within  healthcare systems. While the scholarship carries her name, its broader purpose is forward-focused — supporting students who are preparing to serve their communities through healthcare, education, and leadership.

The Meaning Behind SASH

The scholarship’s name reflects both personal legacy and shared values. SASH represents:

• Service — Leadership rooted in community impact
• Advocacy — Promoting equity and access in healthcare
• Stewardship — Ethical leadership and responsible decision-making
• Humanity — Compassion and respect for all people

These principles guide the scholarship’s mission and selection criteria.

How to Support the SASH Scholarship

Shirley’s family, friends, professional network, affiliate organizations and the community at large are invited to support the SASH Scholarship through The Higher Foundation’s secure, tax-deductible donation platform at www.givebutter.com/SASH-Scholarship. Please consider donating $50 to honor her nearly 50 years in healthcare or $75 to celebrate her 75th trip around the sun. Contributions will directly support a student currently enrolled in a Georgia college or university and help strengthen their pathways into healthcare leadership. This campaign closes on March 31st or when the donation goal has been met. Together, The Higher Foundation and Sage Consulting Partners are proud to celebrate this milestone and demonstrate the power of community and collective wisdom.

How to Apply to the SASH Scholarship

Our scholarship criteria and application can be found at https://form.jotform.com/HigherFoundation/SASH. Our open application period is May 1st-August 1st. Top applicants will be selected by September 1st, and the 2nd Round application deadline is September 15th. The scholarship committee will select one student as The Shirley Ann Steinback-Hawthrone Scholarship recipient, and he or she will receive $2,000.00 directly via PayPal by September 30th. This scholarship will help the awarded student pursue education or training in nursing, unhindered by basic needs insecurity. If students have any questions, they may contact the scholarship committee at onesagepartner@gmail.com.