Regional West Foundation Awards $48,500 in Scholarships to University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing and Western Nebraska Community College Students

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., ― The Regional West Foundation Board of Directors recently announced that $48,500 in scholarships has been awarded to 14 students enrolled at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Nursing and Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC).

Each year, Regional West Foundation grants health education scholarships to students from Regional West’s service area. Following graduation, many of the students pursue employment in the communities Regional West serves. Scholarship awards are split between the 2025 fall and 2026 spring semesters.

Norma Diaz Alvarez, Scottsbluff, was given a $1,000 Coleman scholarship, and Katelyn Ott, Morrill, received a $6,000 Regional West Foundation scholarship.

Drawbaugh scholarships were awarded to Sarah Arellano, Scottsbluff ($1,000) and Maria Lidia Garcia Martinez, Scottsbluff ($2,000).

Megan Bewley, Scottsbluff, earned a $7,500 Gerke scholarship and a $1,000 Regional West Foundation scholarship.

Leanne Leach, Scottsbluff, received a $5,000 Gerke scholarship and a $1,000 Regional West Foundation scholarship.

Ruvimbo Madhende, Scottsbluff, earned a $2,000 H. Swanson scholarship and Kennedy Gift Malunga, Scottsbluff, received a $2,000 A. Swanson scholarship.

Benjamin Okraska, Scottsbluff, was awarded a $1,000 Regional West Foundation Radiology Fund scholarship and a $2,500 Gerke scholarship.

Aspen Reinmuth, Gering, received a $3,000 Harvey scholarship and Ivan Rios, Scottsbluff, was granted a $1,000 Dill scholarship.

Steffi Tactacan, Scottsbluff, was awarded a $7,500 Gerke scholarship and a $1,000 Regional West Foundation scholarship.

Hannah Walker, Mitchell, earned a $3,000 Williams Connell scholarship and Sujeong Park, Laramie, Wyoming, earned a $1,000 Connell scholarship.

The Regional West Foundation was established in 1972 to support the health system’s mission of excellence in healthcare. Today, the Foundation's success is a continuation of a long and proud tradition of community support for superior healthcare services in the communities it serves.

About Regional West
Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Nebraska is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a regional referral center and the only Level II Trauma Center in Nebraska west of Kearney. Since 1924, Regional West has served the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming through innovative healthcare services. As the region’s sole tertiary medical center, Regional West offers an expansive array of medical specialties and numerous physician clinics.