Wood-Bond Legacy Scholarship

Funded by
user profile avatar
Michela Blain
$3,500
1 winner$3,500
Awarded
Application Deadline
Sep 13, 2025
Winners Announced
Oct 13, 2025
Education Level
Undergraduate, Graduate
1
Contribution
Eligibility Requirements
School Name:
University of South Carolina
Field of Study:
Nurse-Midwifery

Midwives play a vital role in women’s health and pregnancy care. Their importance extends beyond prenatal care and childbirth to encompass a holistic, supportive approach to care throughout a woman’s reproductive life. Excellent nurse midwifery care can have ripple effects throughout entire communities and improve the health and lives of so many.

This scholarship seeks to support a nurse midwifery student who plans to dedicate their career to advancing care for women and families in the state of South Carolina. It is named in honor of two Certified Nurse-Midwives who dedicated their long careers to improving women’s health care and advancing the field of midwifery in South Carolina, Leigh Wood and Sharon Bond.

Applicants for this inaugural scholarship must be accepted for full-time study to the University of South Carolina, College of Nursing, Nurse-Midwifery education program. Once enrolled, student applicants should join the American College of Nurse-Midwives as a student member. Scholarship funds can be applied to educational expenses, including tuition.

To apply, please tell us about yourself and how you plan to make a difference through your career as a Certified Nurse-Midwife in South Carolina.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Drive, Impact
Published June 11, 2025
Essay Topic

Please tell us a bit about yourself and how you plan to make a positive impact through your career as a Certified Nurse-Midwife in South Carolina.

400–600 words

Winning Application

Kathryn Braddock
University of South Carolina-ColumbiaHartsville, SC
My name is Kathryn (Kate) Braddock, and I am currently enrolled in USC’s first-ever Master of Nursing Midwifery cohort. Delivering babies has truly been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. I distinctly recall answering the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” in second grade with, “An OB-GYN.” Fast forward to my freshman year of college, when my advisor introduced me to the field of midwifery—I never looked back. My obstetrics professor, a Certified Nurse Midwife, embodied the core values of what it means to be a CNM. She instilled in us the importance of excellence, evidence-based care, inclusiveness, and so much more. She also advised me to gain experience in critical care, and I followed that guidance. After graduating in May 2020, I entered nursing during the uphill battle of a global pandemic. I managed ventilators, titrated pressors, ran CRRT, administered enteral feedings, and performed more postmortem care than any 22-year-old ever should. And although it feels strange to admit, I am grateful for that experience. My two years in the ICU gave me invaluable knowledge, confidence, and growth in critical thinking and time management. Once I had built that foundation, I knew it was time to transition to labor and delivery and fully commit to my path of becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife. There have been countless “God winks” along the way that have guided me here. While I couldn’t always make sense of them in the moment, I can now see the bigger picture and appreciate the challenges I’ve overcome to reach this point. Through the past few years, I have also had the privilege of working with Linda George, a CNM, who left some very big shoes to fill. While I know it will never be easy, I am determined to give this calling everything I have. I believe the gifts and blessings we receive are meant to be shared with others, and nursing is the perfect avenue for that. As a labor and delivery nurse, I have shared thousands of intimate moments with patients and families. I view each of these encounters as a blessing and strive to leave a positive impact. I do this by fostering a judgment-free environment and supporting patients’ autonomy and informed decision-making. I set aside personal preferences and serve as a neutral advocate. As I move forward in achieving my dream of becoming a CNM, I will carry this same philosophy with me. I want my patients to feel heard and valued—not dismissed. I will work toward this by providing education grounded in up-to-date, evidence-based practices while maintaining excellence, inclusivity, and respect for every patient’s right to choose. In a world often clouded by hate and harm, my goal is to serve as a safe and supportive presence for all.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Sep 13, 2025. Winners will be announced on Oct 13, 2025.