Scholarships reduce barriers for students seeking their nursing degree
For 24 years, the Ashland Community Health Foundation’s Nursing Scholarship Program has provided scholarships to nursing students to lighten the burden of their substantial tuition expenses. With the need for nurses continuing to increase across our region, these scholarships provide meaningful support for both students and local health care systems.
The Willam G. and Ruth T. Evans Endowed Nursing Scholarship, established in 2002, and the Colton Allen Memorial Scholarship, established in 2024, support the education and professional development of aspiring local nurses. Since 2002, ACHF has awarded more than $1.9 million in scholarships to future nurses, including $207,000 for this year’s recipients.
Following a thoughtful review process, ACHF’s scholarship committee was pleased to award $200,500 to 17 registered nursing students entering the 2026–27 academic year. Every recipient has demonstrated a commitment to strengthening the quality of health care in the Rogue Valley through their future work.
An additional $6,500 has been awarded to 13 students who graduated from RCC’s Licensed Practical Nursing Program this month. These awards will cover state licensing and examination fees, helping new graduates enter the workforce quickly and begin their health care careers.
“Every scholarship awarded is more than tuition assistance. It’s an investment in a future nurse and, ultimately, in the patients they will care for. Many nursing graduates enter the workforce carrying significant educational debt, the Evans Nursing Scholarship eases that burden, removing a key barrier to building the qualified nursing workforce our community relies on.” – Stephanie Roland, ACHF Executive Director
Congratulations to this year’s recipients on their significant achievement.
2026 Evans Nursing Scholarship Recipients:
From the OHSU Ashland Accelerated Program:
Barrett Gifford, Lydia Logan, Cassidi Knudson, Davina Pham, Marcella Six
From the OHSU Ashland 3-Year Program:
Nayely Contreras, Jasmine Cromwell, Allison Houston, McKenna Giangreco, Ryan Oliver
From the RCC Accelerated Program:
Amy Mikels
From the RCC 2-Year Program:
Samantha Gioia, Chassie Harris, Melissa Hartsell, Branson Rasmussen
2026 Colton Allen Memorial Scholarship Recipients:
From the OHSU 3-Year Program:
Misty Wigg
2026 Evans + Allen Combined Scholarship Recipient:
From the OHSU Ashland 3-Year Program:
Adela Mackey
2026 Nursing Scholarship Recipients
Photography by Bob Palermini. Not pictured in slides, McKenna Giangreco, Lydia Logan, Amy Mikels, Ryan Oliver, and Misty Wigg.
