Founded by son Edgar Virts for nursing majors.

Martha Murphy Virts, who was born in Ijamsville in 1896, graduated in 1918 from the Frederick City Hospital School of Nursing and was a member of the Frederick Memorial Hospital Nurses Alumni Association for over 50 years. After she married, she also worked on the family farm, tending chickens; growing strawberries, tomatoes, and potatoes; and milking cows to make and sell dairy products. She died in 1988 at the age of 91. Her son Edgar C. Virts, Jr. was inspired to create The Martha Murphy Virts Scholarship Fund in her memory to support scholarships for nursing students, with a preference given to those attending Frederick Community College with plans of working with the elderly, particularly in a Frederick County nursing home. Mr. Virts hopes this scholarship fund honors his mother’s legacy by contributing to an increase in the number of nurses and certified nurse aides who become skilled caregivers for the elderly, those living in long-term care facilities, and persons with disabilities and/or dementia.