For more than 20 years, Mimi Diffley dedicated her life to caring for patients as a nurse for Sanford Health Bemidji. She was known for routinely putting the comfort of her patients first, even if it meant skipping breaks or working late to catch up on paperwork.
Mimi passed away in 2007 after a six-year battle with breast cancer. Even when she had to retire early and later lost her vision due to complications related to her cancer treatments, she never lost her spirit or her positive attitude.
Her family later established the Mimi Diffley Memorial Employee Scholarship through the Sanford Health Foundation to help inspire and educate the next generation of health care professionals, ensuring Mimi’s legacy of care and compassion lives on.
This year, the program is helping four Sanford Bemidji employees further their careers in health care.
2024 Mimi Diffley Memorial Scholars
Kiera Hoefer
Patricia Anne Valenzuela
Shannon Seibel
Chelsey Gilbertson
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I am eternally grateful! This scholarship will provide me with additional funds to further my education in physical therapy and nursing, and continue my career with Sanford Health.
2024 Mimi Diffley Scholarship Recipient