Natalie Barrows is the 2026 winner of the Diane and Dana Whitten Scholarship.

This year marks the 20th annual award, given in honor of the Whittens' decades of dedication to improving the lives of kids in their community. Dr. Whitten of Belfast Pediatrics was the first pediatrician to join the staff of Waldo County General Hospital in 1976, and pioneered many child-specific health interventions over his 42 years of service to Belfast kids, according to a news release. Diane Whitten, RN, PNP was a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner who started work at the Boston Floating Hospital and moved up to Belfast where she was the Home Health nurse for years.

"We offer this annual scholarship to carry on their work to improve the lives of children," said Dr. Joseph H. Anderson MD FAAP at Belfast Pediatrics and Young Adult Medicine, in a news release. "In pediatrics, we have a unique opportunity to guide young lives towards health and fulfillment. We want to encourage the next generation to share that joy."

According to the clinic, Natalie Barrows, an exemplary 2026 BAHS graduate, is already known to many local parents for her work with kids at the YMCA, Northport's Drinkwater School, CASS and Troy Howard Middle School. She has demonstrated her commitment to kids and is working towards earning a certification in Early Childhood Education. She will be attending UMO in the fall to study Early Childhood Development.

"Congratulations Natalie!" said the release.