April 22, 2020
Healthcare professionals help protect our community’s health and wellness, bringing incomparable benefits to our region. Because Robert and Betty Gatski’s work in the healthcare field—specifically in Danville—was so important to them, their children wanted to honor their lifelong work while supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals. The Robert L. Gatski, M.D. and Betty E. Gatski Healthcare Profession Scholarship Fund was created through the Danville Area Community Foundation to support a Danville High School senior pursuing a degree in and showing a passion for a healthcare-related field.
Robert and Betty Gatski met at the School of Nursing at the Danville State Hospital and formed a life-long partnership. They both worked to put Robert through medical school, and returned to the Danville State Hospital after his graduation. Robert worked at the Hospital for 28 years, serving as superintendent of the institution from 1955 until his retirement in 1977.
“We wanted to honor our parents by making it easier for deserving Danville students to follow in their footsteps,” explains Robert and Betty’s son, Bob.
The family hopes that students who would not have otherwise been able to do so will pursue careers in medicine.
Recipients of this scholarship fund will be eligible for an annual scholarship for up to four years of undergraduate studies. The Gatski Family is looking forward to supporting these future healthcare professionals by awarding the first scholarship in Robert and Betty’s memory in 2021.
Contributions can be made to this Fund online at csgiving.org, or mail to the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation, Attn: Gatski Scholarship Fund, 725 West Front Street, Berwick, PA 18603.