Students and members of the community gathered together on Thursday afternoon as the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Prescott (JCF) awarded the first 12 of 96 healthcare scholarships at Yavapai College.

Concerned about the projected shortage of healthcare professionals in the coming years, and specifically in Yavapai County, the JCF worked together with Yavapai Regional Medical Center and Yavapai College to create a program which will ultimately award 96 full tuition and fee scholarships over the next five years to students in the nursing and radiologic technology programs.

As part of the scholarship, the JCF also presented stethoscopes to the nursing students and a set of markers to those studying radiology.

Speaking to the scholarship recipients, Wills said, "You're going to set the bar for what Yavapai students can do. I have every confidence of that. I know our students, and you'll do fine, you'll do great."

Wills then thanked the JCF and YRMC, who is also contributing to the scholarships.

In a press release, Yavapai College President, Dr. Penny Wills stated, "This forward-looking gift from the Jewish Community Foundation comes at a time when college affordability and financial resources are significant barriers for many students and their families, especially when the family may have limited funds to help defray the costs of a college education."

Recognizing the generous donation from the JCF, Wills continued, "In providing scholarship support for healthcare students at Yavapai College, JCF has shown a commitment to working in partnership with local organizations to ensure that the highest quality healthcare workforce is available in our community for future generations."

JCF President, Dr. David Hess remarked in the press release, "In providing scholarship support for healthcare students at Yavapai College, JCF has shown a commitment to working in partnership with local organizations to ensure that the highest quality healthcare workforce is available in our community for future generations."

Retired Radiologist Dr. Seymore Rife spoke briefly for the JCF, "It's our pleasure to offer sponsor the scholarship program. The friends and donors of the Foundation have a strong interest in healthcare and education in the Prescott community. It's terrific to meet and see all of the inaugural class of the scholarship program. We'd like to wish you the best of luck in your studies, and we're looking forward to hearing good things as you go along... Congratulations to all of you."

It's a program that makes a difference not only to the student, but in many cases, their entire family, as Stephanie Reininger explained. "This scholarship is going to mean I can have time with my family, and not have to work full time, so I can focus on my studies and become a better nurse."

She smiled as her son, Chris, picked up the the shiny new stethoscope and tried to listen to her heart. Chris, who said he was proud of his mom, wants to be a doctor or nurse when he grows up, too.

This is the largest scholarship program in the history of Yavapai College.

Jewish Community Foundation nursing scholarship recipien :
JoAnn Beltran, Prescott
Mary Dennis. Kirkland
LaRee Gray, Prescott Valley
Michael McLeod, Dewey-Humboldt
Michael Kean, Prescott
Sarah Little, Cottonwood
Kristen Nelson, Prescott Valley
Stephanie Reininger, Chino Valley
Jason Sewell, Prescott
Linda Thornbro, Prescott

Jewish Community Foundation radiology scholarship recipients 2012:
Jennifer Jording, Prescott
Raymond Trujillo, Cottonwood

Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Prescott website

Yavapai Regional Medical Center website

Yavapai College website

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