Metro East Sun

On November 5, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Emergency Services presented Elena LaFleur with the Dr. Jeffrey Shafer Memorial Scholarship, totaling $3,000. The scholarship is a collaboration between the hospital and Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC), intended for SWIC students pursuing careers in emergency medical services (EMS). The base scholarship amount of $1,500 was matched by Dr. Shafer’s family to support LaFleur's education and career development.

LaFleur is the first recipient of this annual scholarship, which will be awarded each year to one selected paramedic student. She is currently enrolled in SWIC’s EMS program and works as an emergency room technologist at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.

Dawn Elliott, Emergency Management Services Facilitator, said: “This award is not simply a recognition of excellence; it is a reflection of the spirit Jeff carried with him every day: a spirit of service, compassion, humility and genuine love for the work and the people in it. With this award, we proudly recognize Elena for carrying that spirit forward. She is someone who approaches her work with humility and passion, who cares deeply about her colleagues and community, and who does not just wear the uniform or title but honors it.”

Elliott also spoke about Dr. Shafer's background: “Jeff’s journey in medicine was unique. Before becoming an emergency physician and St. Elizabeth’s medical director, he walked in the boots of an EMS. He understood what it meant to kneel on a living room floor, to hold the hand of someone on their worst day, to make critical decisions with limited information and an unlimited heart. That background shaped him into the leader, teacher and caregiver we all came to admire,” shares Elliott. “May we each continue to carry forward the light Jeff shared with us.”

Dr. Shafer passed away unexpectedly in September 2024 after serving as both a paramedic early in his career and later as medical director for St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.