The Ilse Droell Memorial Women's Medical Career Scholarship Fund

Ilse Droell, my mother, was born in Germany in 1913.  At the age of 14, after her younger brother died of meningitis, she decided to become a physician.  Upon completing a college prep school, she entered Justus Liebig University Giessen in Giessen, Germany.  She was one of only four female medical students.

After she completed her internship in 1937 she got married and started a family.  In 1939 World War II began.  The war and post-war occupation lasted through 1947.  During this time her home was bombed out and her husband was gone, serving the military, nearly 7 years.  Nevertheless, she volunteered her medical skills assisting the county physician and the village mid-wife and provided medical care to prisoners in a forced labor camp.

At the end of this time, when it had become financially possible for her to resume her studies, ten years had elapsed since her internship and she was ineligible to complete her medical residency. 
She then moved to Langen (Hessen), Germany, where she and her husband spent the rest of their lives being active in the welfare of their city.

Ilse Droell died Christmas morning 2010 at the age of 97 years and seven months.  In her later years she was able to visit Morton several times and held this country in highest regard.  I am glad she will help others to reach their medical education goal through the Ilse Droell Medical Scholarship Fund.

Hanna Vernon

Qualifications for this Scholarship:

• Must be a female resident of Morton or Morton Township who is or will be attending an accredited 2- or 4-year college or a university.

• Financial need may be considered but is not the primary consideration in the selection process.

• Each applicant must complete an essay to be reviewed by the Selection Committee. The essay should explain why the applicant wants to pursue a career in the chosen Medical Field and state all reasons why this career is important to the applicant.

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to this endowment fund, please click the button below for online donations.  Or, you can mail a check to 135 S First Ave, Morton, IL 61550.

Past scholarship recipients:

2014 - Rachel Funk

2015 - Kathleen Saunders

2016 - Alexa Atkins and Maria Feucht

2017 - Sydney Cooper and Michelle Gehner

2018 - Sophia Maclean and Sanjna Patel

2019 - Kathryn Reiman and Emily Rein

2020 - Tori Larrabee and Olivia Patton

2021 - Anamaria Mueller and Breanna Moore

2022 - Emma Whitaker and Sarah Wefer

2023 - Ava Robinson and Savannah Sauder

2024 - Taygen Beyer and Elyse McNeer

2025 - Amalea Herman and Amelia VanMeenan