11/05/26

By: FHSU Foundation
HAYS, Kan. – Following a 43-year career in nursing, a Fort Hays State University alumna continues to care for others, this time by paving the way for future nurses. Throughout Myrna West’s career, she impacted countless lives and dedicated herself to helping underserved communities. Now, through a charitable IRA rollover, Myrna has established a scholarship at FHSU to support the next generation of nurses.

For Myrna, nursing was more than a job. It was a calling born from personal experience. A two-month hospitalization during her childhood left her with a deep appreciation for the care she received and a desire to offer that same compassion to others. As a result, when she enrolled at Fort Hays Kansas State College, as it was known then, she pursued a degree in nursing. During her time on campus, Myrna marched with the band as a majorette, was part of the Tiger Paws hostess group, and graduated summa cum laude in 1975.

Myrna credits some of her success to early mentors, including faculty members Calvina Thomas, Carolyn Insley, and Jean Stouffer, who helped her grow into a confident and capable nurse. A few years post-grad, Myrna packed her bags and headed west to California, eager to put her nursing skills into action.

In the heart of downtown Los Angeles, she cared for low-income patients, providing medical knowledge and care. Surrounded by nursing residents and doctors from around the world, Myrna gained invaluable experience working across cultures, laying the foundation for the global service that would define her career.

Though much of Myrna’s work was hospital-based, her greatest joy came from medical missions. Her nursing career took her abroad to seven countries, including Romania, Venezuela, and Kenya. On one Operation Smile mission, she and a team of fellow nurses and doctors treated more than 5,000 patients with facial deformities, an effort that earned a Guinness World Record. Her most recent mission trip, in 2024, took her to Kurdistan, Iraq, to treat Yazidi refugees housed in United Nations camps. Looking back, Myrna feels gratitude and pride, knowing she left a fingerprint on the lives of those she was privileged to serve.

Even now in retirement, Myrna’s heart for service remains strong. She worked with her financial advisor and used a Charitable IRA Rollover to support nursing students at FHSU on their path to service. Upon learning that a portion of her IRA could be distributed before taxes, Myrna knew it was the perfect option for her family.

“Our days are numbered.” Myrna said, “It’s important to get your plans set in place sooner rather than later.” Myrna's thoughtful planning also highlights one of the many ways donors can make a lasting impact through their estate and retirement assets.

Starting at 70 ½ years of age, donors can begin to draw down their IRAs by way of a qualified charitable distribution in advance of their required minimum distributions, which begins at age 73. Doing so allows them to give back to Fort Hays State while receiving tax benefits. Rolling your IRA to a charitable organization, such as FHSU, offsets tax liability that regularly falls upon descendants listed in estate plans.

Donors can also prevent the loss of retirement funding through taxes while providing opportunities to support students at Fort Hays State. Gifts to FHSU can take many forms, including land, grain, stock, or IRA transfers, as Myrna chose to do. FHSU can also be included in a will, trust, life insurance policy, annuity, or other estate plans. No matter how you choose to give, your support will leave a legacy at FHSU and impact the future of the university. 

To learn more about how you can make a difference with your IRA and take advantage of valuable tax benefits, contact Brent Williams with the FHSU Foundation team at b_williams19@fhsu.edu or by phone at 785-628-5719. Visit foundation.fhsu.edu to learn more about the Fort Hays State Foundation or to make a one-time gift online.