Regional West Foundation awards $73,600 in nursing scholarships

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. – The board of directors of Regional West Foundation awarded $73,600 in scholarships to 25 area students enrolled at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing-West Nebraska Division.

Scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 were presented to seven students at a recent Foundation board meeting.

Kirsten Cross of Gering was awarded the $10,000 Regional West Foundation Scholarship. The 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.

Shelbi McAllister of Scottsbluff was awarded the L.T. Lovercheck Scholarship, which covers the full cost of tuition, fees and books.

Lindsay Soto of Mitchell was awarded a $10,000 Phyllis Gerke Nursing Scholarship and four additional students received $5,000 Gerke Scholarships. They included: Anastasia McCloud of Kimball, Ashley Hill of Mitchell, Laura Dreyer, who was raised in Merriman, and Eli Rodriquez, who was raised in Omaha.

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.

Regional West Foundation also awarded 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."

For more information about Regional West Foundation scholarships, contact the Foundation office at (308) 630-1485 or email [email protected].