The Foundation of the Collier County Medical Society awarded a prestigious $15,000 scholarship to a third-year medical student at the Florida State University College of Medicine.
Kaitlyn Barnes of Naples (M.D. Class of 2028) is the recipient of the 2026 Dr. William and Nancy Lascheid Memorial Scholarship, which was created to help medical students who are legal residents of Florida and have demonstrated exceptional community service. It honors the memory of the Lascheids, visionary founders of the charitable Neighborhood Health Clinic in Naples, which uses a professional volunteer staff and funding by private philanthropy to deliver quality medical care to low-income, working but uninsured Collier County adults. Dr. Lascheid was a past president of the Collier County Medical Society; his wife was a past president of the Medical Society Alliance.
“The 12th annual Memorial Scholarship recognizes future physicians who exemplify not only academic excellence but also a lasting commitment to serving those in need,” said Dr. Rolando Rivera, board chair of the Foundation. “Ms. Barnes represents the compassion, dedication and commitment this award was created to honor. We are proud to recognize her accomplishments and support her future in medicine.”
Barnes is a graduate of Barron Collier High School in Naples. After completing her first two years of medical school at the college’s central campus in Tallahassee, Barnes is now based at the Pensacola Regional Campus for her clinical training rotations.
Keith Maples, CEO of Neighborhood Health Clinic in Naples, said the Foundation is able to award the scholarship because of the generous support of many people.
“This scholarship is a reflection of Bill and Nancy and their dedication to helping others,” he said. “Kaitlyn Barnes is a shining example of this similar understanding of sharing your talents to help others. We at Neighborhood Health Clinic are proud to be a part of her journey and the impact she will make.”
Barnes earned her B.S. in Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences from the College of Medicine in 2024. Her community service activities as an undergraduate student and as a medical student have included volunteering at the Leon County Humane Society, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, Big Bend Hospice, Cross Point Church, Big Bend Buddies and City Church, as well as mentoring pre-medical and medical students.
She has also served in a variety of leadership roles at FSU, including as an Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences program ambassador as an undergraduate and as FSU College of Medicine Dance Marathon co-chair, Christian Medical Association treasurer, Research Interest Group vice president, and Women in Surgery chair as a medical student.
"I am deeply honored to be selected as the Dr. William and Nancy Lascheid Memorial Scholarship recipient. This award represents far more than financial support; it is an investment in my calling to serve others through medicine,” Barnes said.
“The inspiration of the Lascheid family and the generosity of the Foundation of CCMS will help me continue pursuing my dream of becoming a physician dedicated to compassionate, patient-centered care. I look forward to one day returning to Collier County to serve the community that has given me so much, and I am grateful beyond words for this honor."
The Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization launched by the Collier County Medical Society in 2012, with the mission to provide support and leadership to programs that address access to healthcare and promote health education. It supports several scholarships in addition to the Lascheid one and has awarded almost $300,000 in scholarships since its inception.
The Foundation’s 13th Annual signature fundraiser, the Docs & Duffers Golf Tournament on Sept. 26, 2026, will help raise funds for scholarships and local healthcare initiatives. Further details can be found at ccmsonline.org/foundation/#golf and fb.com/ccmsfoundation.
