SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – Regional West Foundation and The Volunteers and Friends of Regional West are pleased to announce that more than $60,000 in scholarships has been awarded to area students who are enrolled in local nursing and health education programs this fall.

Regional West Foundation awarded $49,500 in scholarships to 18 students from western Nebraska. Two students were awarded $10,000 scholarships.

Adrian Jochum of Sutherland, Neb., received the Regional West Foundation $10,000 scholarship. She is a third level student at the University of Nebraska College of Nursing-West Nebraska Division.

Jochum attended Chadron State College through the RHOP before entering nursing school. She serves on the Nebraska State Student Nurses Association and is chair of the Image Committee that promotes professionalism among student nurses. Jochum hopes to work as an RN at Regional West and then purse a degree as a nurse practitioner.

The $10,000 annual unrestricted Regional West Foundation Scholarship is available to applicants who attend the Western Nebraska Community College nursing program, the UNMC College of Nursing-West Nebraska Division, or the Regional West Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology.

Emily O’Boyle of Gering was awarded a $10,000 Phyllis Gerke Scholarship. She is a third level nursing student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing-West Nebraska Division. O’Boyle is president of the Scottsbluff Student Nurses Association and is a Teammates mentor. She hopes to work in the Intensive Care Unit and eventually become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

The 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.

In addition to O’Boyle, three other area residents were awarded Gerke Scholarships; they include: Teri Jo Robinson of Scottsbluff, Ashley Hill of Mitchell, and Lindsay Soto of Gering. Robinson received $5,000 to attend the ADN program at Western Nebraska Community College, while Hill and Soto each received $2,500 to attend UNMC College of Nursing, West Nebraska Division.

Regional West Foundation also awarded a total of $19,500 in memorial and honorary scholarships to 18 students enrolled at the UNMC College of Nursing.

“These scholarships are possible due to the generous support of the community and our employees,” said Shelley Knutson, executive director of Regional West Foundation. “We hope to retain these talented scholarship recipients as employees here at Regional West or other western Nebraska communities.”

In addition to the Foundation scholarships, the Volunteers and Friends of Regional West awarded ten scholarships totaling $11,000. The group annually funds RN scholarships for students enrolled at the UNMC College of Nursing-West Nebraska Division.

For almost 60 years, the hospital’s volunteer organization has dedicated fundraising efforts to furthering the education of the area’s future nurses. Fundraising events include book fairs, jewelry sales, and craft fairs. Proceeds from the Daily Grind coffee cart and the hospital Gift Shop also contribute to the scholarship fund.

“We focus on providing nursing scholarships to help recruit nurses for the hospital and local clinics,” said Kay Gabel, president of the Volunteers and Friends of Regional West.

To learn more about nursing scholarships or to contribute to nursing scholarships through the Volunteers and Friends of Regional West, contact Janelle Debes, Assistant Director of Volunteer Services and Guest Relations at 308-630-1271 or email janelle.debes@rwmc.net.

For more information about Regional West Foundation scholarships, contact the Foundation office at 308-630-1485 or email knutsos@rwmc.net.

Regional West Health Services, with over 1,800 employees, provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, Regional West offers care that spans more than 30 medical specialties. Regional West Medical Center, a subsidiary of Regional West Health Services, is accredited by The Joint Commission and is one of three Level II Trauma Centers in Nebraska.