Dr. Jeffrey Shafer Memorial Scholarship Presented
November 11, 2025
On Wednesday, Nov. 5, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Emergency Services had the honor of presenting Elena LaFleur with the Dr. Jeffrey Shafer Memorial Scholarship for $3,000.
This $1,500 scholarship, in partnership with Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC), is awarded to SWIC students pursuing a career in emergency medical services (EMS) in memory of Dr. Jeffrey Shafer and his career as an EMS trained physician. Dr. Shafer’s family generously matched the scholarship amount of $1,500 to further support Elena’s career growth as an EMS.
Elena LaFleur is the first recipient of the Dr. Jeffrey Shafer Memorial Scholarship, which will be awarded annually to one selected paramedic student per year. Elena is a student in SWIC’s EMS program and works as an emergency room technologist at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.
“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,” shares Dawn Elliott, Emergency Management Services Facilitator. “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.”
“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 unexpectedly passed away in September 2024. He was a dedicated leader and committed community member. He started his medical career as a paramedic, served with O’Fallon first responders and was an emergency physician who served as medical director for St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.
Photo caption: From left to right: Dr. Basem Khishfe, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Emergency Department Medical Director; Dawn Elliott, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Emergency Medical (EMS) Coordinator; Jamie Shafer, wife of Dr. Jeffrey Shafer; Elena LaFleur, paramedic student and recipient of Dr. Jeffrey Shafer Memorial Scholarship; Erin Hazen, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Director of Emergency Department and EMS; Dr. Dan Normansell, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital EMS Medical Director.
This $1,500 scholarship, in partnership with Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC), is awarded to SWIC students pursuing a career in emergency medical services (EMS) in memory of Dr. Jeffrey Shafer and his career as an EMS trained physician. Dr. Shafer’s family generously matched the scholarship amount of $1,500 to further support Elena’s career growth as an EMS.
Elena LaFleur is the first recipient of the Dr. Jeffrey Shafer Memorial Scholarship, which will be awarded annually to one selected paramedic student per year. Elena is a student in SWIC’s EMS program and works as an emergency room technologist at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.
“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,” shares Dawn Elliott, Emergency Management Services Facilitator. “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.”
“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 unexpectedly passed away in September 2024. He was a dedicated leader and committed community member. He started his medical career as a paramedic, served with O’Fallon first responders and was an emergency physician who served as medical director for St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.
Photo caption: From left to right: Dr. Basem Khishfe, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Emergency Department Medical Director; Dawn Elliott, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Emergency Medical (EMS) Coordinator; Jamie Shafer, wife of Dr. Jeffrey Shafer; Elena LaFleur, paramedic student and recipient of Dr. Jeffrey Shafer Memorial Scholarship; Erin Hazen, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Director of Emergency Department and EMS; Dr. Dan Normansell, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital EMS Medical Director.
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