SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., ― The board of directors of Regional West Foundation is pleased to announce that $85,000 in scholarships has been awarded by the Foundation to 41 students who are enrolled at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Nursing West Nebraska Division, Western Nebraska Community College, and the Regional West School of Radiologic Technology.

“The college continues to be impressed with the dedication Regional West has to the nursing students that attend the UNMC College of Nursing West Nebraska Division. Regional West Foundation has had a longstanding tradition of supporting nursing education and that has paved the way for many students to become nurses. We are proud to live in a region that is so supportive of nursing,” said Kelly Betts, EdD, APRN, CNE, UNMC College of Nursing Assistant Dean of College of Nursing-Scottsbluff Division.

Kennedy Cyza was awarded a $10,000 Regional West Foundation scholarship and Trevor Benevides was awarded the $10,000 Phyllis Gerke Nursing scholarship.

Phyllis Gerke scholarships are available to nursing students at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing West Nebraska Division or Western Nebraska Community College. Applicants must have a 3.5 or higher GPA and desire to pursue employment in Regional West’s service area.                                                                  

Hannah Harwager, Shayleen Behm, and Rebecca Goldrick were each awarded $5,000 Phyllis Gerke Nursing scholarships. Two nursing students, Leah Newman and Marisa Servido, were awarded $2,500 Phyllis Gerke scholarships.

The Foundation awarded 24 additional $1,000 scholarships to students enrolled at the UNMC College of Nursing.

“The scholarships provided by Regional West Foundation have been a very important part of our recruitment process. Many of the students may not be able to attend nursing school without the support provided by the Foundation. Thank you to all the donors,” said Karen Schledewitz, MAEd, UNMC College of Nursing West Nebraska Student Services Coordinator.      

Regional West School of Radiologic Technology students Ashley Perrine, Abigayle Martin, Danielle Johnson, Anna Yanke, Amber McClanahan, and Megan Capal were also awarded scholarships totaling $7,000.

“The Foundation is honored to manage the memorial scholarships for numerous families from throughout the region,” said Julie Marshall, Regional West Foundation director of development. “All of these students are wonderful examples of the high quality students we have in the region that will someday be exceptional leaders in the health care industry. We are proud to help support them through their education journey.”

The Regional West Foundation also announced the winners of the James Massey Surgical Technology scholarships for the 2020 spring semester. Adrianna Welsh and Kinley Vowers were each awarded $1,500 to attend the Surgical Technology program at Western Nebraska Community College.

Surgical technologists play a vital role in preparing operating rooms and assisting surgical teams during medical procedures. They make sure the proper instruments are in place, drape the patient, verify equipment is ready for surgery, and hand each instrument to the surgeon as needed.

The scholarship was established by Regional West otolaryngologist James Massey, MD, to encourage high school graduates to pursue training in the Surgical Technology program at Western Nebraska Community College. The $1,500 scholarships are offered to full-time students in both the spring and fall.

For more information about Regional West Foundation scholarships or to make a donation, contact the Foundation office at 308-630-2244, email Julie.Marshall@rwhs.org, or visit RegionalWestFoundation.org.

Regional West Foundation raises, manages, and distributes funds to enhance the services, programs, and projects of Regional West Health Services. The Foundation supports projects to strengthen health care services that are essential to the quality and growth of our local medical community, including new technology, building improvements, and health education scholarships.

Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a 188-bed regional referral center and one of three Level II Trauma Centers in the state. As the region’s only tertiary referral medical center, Regional West offers care that spans more than 32 medical specialties provided by over 28 physician clinics. With nearly 300 in-network providers, and 2,000 employees, Regional West provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.