Jefferson County students honored with scholarships to pursue health care careers
BEND, Ore. – St. Charles Health System, St. Charles Foundation and Cascades East Area Health Education Center (AHEC) have awarded scholarships to 12 college students and high school seniors from Jefferson County who are pursuing careers in health care.
Awards are based on students’ grade point averages and activities, but the most compelling factor is their commitment to returning to a rural location upon completion of their education. Several of the students have participated in St. Charles’ job shadowing program and credit it with inspiring them to pursue a health care career.
“In this difficult time, it is more important than ever to recognize the efforts and commitment of these students to pursue a career in health care,” said Cascades East AHEC Director Debbie Cole. “We look forward to their returning to Central Oregon as valuable partners in our community’s health.”
College students awarded a scholarship include:
- Jordan Gemelas, a fourth-year medical student at OHSU, who will receive $4,000 from Cascades East AHEC
- Catylynn Duff, a third-year student and track athlete at the College of Idaho, who will receive $3,000 from the St. Charles Foundation-Jefferson County fund
- Kaliyah Iverson, a student at Portland State University, who will receive $1,000 from Cascades East AHEC
Culver High School students awarded a scholarship include:
- Felicia Belvoir, who will receive $1,000 from the St. Charles Foundation-Jefferson County fund
- Johan Jaimes, who will receive $1,000 from the Redmond Medical Staff
- Janae Rhen, who will receive $500 from Cascades East AHEC
- Karyssa Pettersen, who will receive the $2,000 Mary Ann Thomas Hosier scholarship for nursing
Madras High School students awarded a scholarship include:
- Kelly Huang, who will receive $2,000 from the St. Charles Foundation-Jefferson County fund
- Kelsey Olivera, who will receive $2,000 from Cascades East AHEC
- Brianna Carvajal and Elizabeth Egoavil, who will each receive $1,500 from the St. Charles Foundation-Jefferson County fund; Egoavil will also receive $500 from Cascades East AHEC
- Treyvon Easterling will receive $1,000 from the St. Charles Foundation-Jefferson County fund
About St. Charles Health System
St. Charles Health System, Inc., headquartered in Bend, Ore., owns and operates St. Charles Bend, Madras, Prineville and Redmond. It also owns family care clinics in Bend, Madras, Prineville, Redmond and Sisters. St. Charles is a private, not-for-profit Oregon corporation and is the largest employer in Central Oregon with more than 4,200 caregivers. In addition, there are more than 350 active medical staff members and nearly 200 visiting medical staff members who partner with the health system to provide a wide range of care and service to our communities.
###
