Honoring Service Through the Robert S Bonney Scholarship for Veterans of the U.S. Armed Services
To learn more about the inspiration behind the scholarship, its purpose, and the impact it hopes to have on student veterans, we spoke with Robert S. Bonney, JD, MSPH, MBA, LFACHE, retired healthcare executive and CAHME Board Member, about what inspired him to establish the scholarship and what it means to him. We also heard from two past recipients, Taylor Sisk and Lisa Hershiser, who shared their personal stories and reflected on the scholarship’s impact on their journeys.
As a veteran of the draft era, I have tremendous respect and appreciation for those who volunteer to serve in our armed forces today. This scholarship is a small way to acknowledge that service. Beyond the financial support, I hope it recognizes the recipient’s leadership, both in the military and in their community.
What does military service teach people about leadership that you believe translates particularly well to healthcare?
The military taught me a great deal about leadership, but two lessons stand out. First, stay focused on your mission. Second, recognize the people who help you achieve your goals.
Both apply directly to healthcare today. In the pursuit of financial margin, it’s easy to lose sight of the mission. And teamwork is essential to reaching any goal, because no one can do it alone. Always acknowledge the contributions of others.
What has impressed you most about past award recipients?
What impressed me most is how they give it their all. They volunteer, take the lead on or join additional projects, and are consistently recognized by others for their leadership.
To learn more about the Robert S Bonney Scholarship for Veterans of the U.S. Armed Services, visit the Awards/Scholarships page here.
2026 Award Recipient: Lisa Hershiser, EMHA
I’m a Client Relationship Manager in the Healthcare Business Unit at Cognizant Technology Solutions. In this role, I focus primarily on government clients, including work that supports veterans’ healthcare through large-scale technology and digital transformation initiatives.
What the scholarship meant to me:
Receiving the Robert S. Bonney Scholarship took a considerable amount of financial stress off me during the final year of my program. While working full-time, balancing the demands of my family, and assisting my husband, who is a 100% disabled veteran, with his needs, it allowed me to stay focused on my academics and finish the MHA without taking on additional student loan debt. That support made a meaningful difference at a busy time.
Where my career has taken me since:
Since graduating, my responsibilities at Cognizant have continued to grow. I’ve taken on several large new government accounts, which has given me more opportunity to contribute to technology solutions that support veterans’ healthcare and improve access and coordination for those who have served.
2025 Award Recipient: Taylor Sisk, MHSA
I currently serve as an Associate Administrator at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. In this role, I oversee Rehab, Respiratory Therapy, Environmental Services and Food & Nutrition Services and support facility projects and broader hospital operations. My work focuses on improving the patient experience, supporting our caregivers, and helping ensure our hospital delivers safe, high-quality care to the communities we serve.
What did receiving the Robert S. Bonney Scholarship mean to you at that point in your journey, and what did it make possible that might otherwise have been more difficult?Receiving the Robert S. Bonney Scholarship was both a tremendous honor and a meaningful source of support as I pursued my graduate education in healthcare administration. Transitioning from military service into healthcare leadership was an opportunity to apply the leadership, accountability, and service-oriented mindset I developed in the military to a new mission: caring for patients and supporting the people who care for them.
The scholarship helped ease the financial burden of graduate school and allowed me to focus more fully on my education and professional development. Beyond the financial support, it was an affirmation of my decision to pursue a career in healthcare administration and a reminder that the skills and experiences veterans bring to the profession are valuable. I’m grateful that CAHME and the scholarship’s supporters invest in veterans who want to continue serving others through healthcare.
Where has your career taken you since receiving the scholarship?
Since receiving the scholarship, I have completed my MHSA at the University of Xavier and progressed through HCA Healthcare’s executive residency pathway. I completed my Residency at HCA Florida West Hospital, where I gained hands-on experience in hospital operations, strategic initiatives, and capital projects. That experience helped prepare me for my current role as an Associate Administrator at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital.
Today, I have the opportunity to contribute to the operational and strategic work that supports our hospital’s mission, from the patient environment and support services to facility improvements that shape how care is delivered. Looking ahead, I hope to continue growing as a healthcare leader and ultimately serve as a hospital CEO. My goal is to build on the foundation I gained through my education and experiences, lead teams effectively, and make a meaningful difference for patients, employees, and the communities we serve.
I’m thankful to CAHME and the supporters of the Robert S. Bonney Scholarship for investing in veterans and helping make this journey possible. It’s rewarding to see how the opportunity to pursue graduate education can translate into a career dedicated to serving others.