Health First Foundation Northern Arizona is now accepting applications for scholarships for health care students. The organization has awarded $150,000 in scholarships since it was established in 2016, according to spokeswoman Nancy Wiechec.
“The positivity that cascaded from there feels as though it hasn’t ended,” Lamm scholarship recipient Isis Meyjes said on Health First’s website, adding that the award helped her focus on her education. “I’m still riding the wave. I’ll never forget the generosity and hope to pay it forward someday.”
“We are looking to support the education of health care workers because of the severe shortage of those professionals in our region, especially in our rural areas,” Wiechec said. “Many of our scholarship recipients have gone on to work in northern Arizona health care facilities, but also Indian Health Services facilities and smaller clinics in our region.”
The Health Resources and Services Administration considers Sedona to be within a health professional shortage area with unmet needs in dental care, mental health and primary care. In a report released in May, the HRSA identified a nationwide shortage of 17,000 primary care practitioners, 12,000 dental health practitioners and 8,200 mental health practitioners.
“Rural health shortages run across the United States,” Wiechec said. “It’s hard to find professionals who want to move to rural areas to work. But studies have found if a student is studying and doing professional residencies in rural areas, they tend to stay there.”
The problem is even more pronounced on northern Arizona reservations, as pointed out by scholarship recipient Nicole Pablo from Coyote Canyon in the Navajo Nation. Pablo used her award to help start a career as an emergency department nurse.
“My grandfather lives 50 miles away from any medical care,” Pablo said on Health First’s website. “He doesn’t have running water. This is how many people in our region live. These factors cause major setbacks to health and were detrimental when COVID-19 hit.”
There are several different scholarships available that offer awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 in several fields. The awards can be used for tuition, books or other academic expenses.
Application is free, and applicants are required to submit an essay explaining how advancing their education will contribute to improving health care in northern Arizona. Applicants must also submit proof of enrollment and an advisor verification form. Students may apply for multiple scholarships; however, they may only be awarded one Health First Foundation scholarship per year.
“For most scholarships, you are eligible if you live or work in northern Arizona. For the Kary Christensen RN Education Scholarship and the Health First Board of Directors Nursing Scholarship, you must be enrolled in a college or university located in northern Arizona,” the program’s website states.
“Please apply. We are looking to support any student, either undergraduate or graduate, so professionals looking to advance their studies in the health area, and we’re looking to support those students,” Wiechec said.
Applications will be accepted until Friday, July 28. To apply and for more information, visithealthfirstforall.org/scholarships. Scholarship winners will be notified in August.
