The Salem Health West Valley Foundation announces that 19 students in medically related fields will receive scholarships for the 2017 to 2018 school year.

Scholarships help build the skills and knowledge needed to provide the community with high-quality care into the future.

The Foundation awarded a total of $19,500 in scholarships to students pursuing degrees in a variety of programs.

Recipients for the 2017 to 2018 school year:

Kyle Lenz; McKayla Ruettgers; Mitchell Bollman; Amanda Dankenbring; MaKenzie Davis; Kaitlin Smith; Sarah Solvedt; Alisha Aime; Rylie Gaither-Lyell; Skyla Ihne; Jillian Sunderman; Heidi Sunderman; Brenda Hess; Hilary Keck; Megan Ronco; Kara Cardwell; Kaci Cheavtharn; Micah Masei; Gabriela Hernandez. 

“This scholarship will help me further advance my studies in trauma care,” said scholarship winner Hilary Keck, clinical nurse at Salem Health. “I’m grateful to the Foundation for granting me these funds to use to serve the community and advance my career.”

The Salem Health West Valley Foundation is a charitable organization that supports programs and services at Salem Health West Valley. Its 13 member Board of Directors helps to raise funds and manage the resources of the Foundation. This is the tenth year that the Salem Health West Valley Foundation has awarded scholarships. This year’s scholarship awards were funded by the proceeds from the Foundation’s 2016 Moonlight & Vines Gala. The 2017 Moonlight & Vines Gala will be held August 25, 2017 at the Nesmith Readiness Center in Dallas, Oregon. For ticket information, please contact the Salem Health West Valley Foundation office at wvhfound@salemhealth.org or 503-814-1990.

Scholarship applications for students in medically-related fields of study are available each year beginning February 1. Applicants must have a permanent residence in Polk County or be a current employee or family member of a current employee at Salem Health West Valley, and must have applied to a college in their field of study before applying for this scholarship. Since 2008, Salem Health West Valley Foundation has awarded $210,500 to 198 students. Find more information online at www.salemhealth.org/wvhf.

Salem Health — an OHSU Partner — offers exceptional care to people in and around Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley. It comprises hospitals in Salem and Dallas, a medical group of primary and specialty care providers, plus other affiliated services. Visit us at www.salemhealth.org; “Like” us on www.facebook.com/salemhealth; follow us on Twitter: @salemhealth; and view us at www.youtube.com/salemhealth.