West Valley announces 2017 scholarship recipients

West Valley Medical Center recently awarded its annual Allied Healthcare Scholarship to four local students. These funds are earmarked for their education in the health care field. This year's scholarship recipients are:

• Jacinda Buzzard, of Caldwell, graduated from Middleton High School and will begin studies in nursing at Boise State University this fall. Buzzard received a $1,000 scholarship.
• Analiese Cook, of Parma, graduated from Nampa Christian School and will begin studies in nursing at Lewis-Clark State College this fall. Cook received a $1,000 scholarship.
• Rachel Davis, of Nampa, graduated from Skyview High School and is now a junior studying nursing at Northwest Nazarene University. Davis received a $1,000 scholarship.
• Brooke Hansen, of Parma, graduated from Vale High School. She currently holds her associate degree and plans to continue her studies with a bachelor's program in nursing at Idaho State University. Hansen received a $1,000 scholarship.

The Allied Healthcare Scholarship is open annually to students who attended local high schools in Owyhee or Canyon counties and/or currently reside in the hospital's service area. Students must be currently attending or plan to attend a college/university in the southwest Idaho or eastern Oregon area to pursue an associate or bachelor's degree in an allied health care program.

Scholarship criteria is focused on academic performance and interest in an allied health field. Students must demonstrate a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher and agree to allow the hospital an opportunity to recruit them for employment upon completion of their degree; however, no work commitment is required.