40 students going to professional schools in health professions

Twenty-three of the students are participants in the Rural Health Opportunities Program that is a joint venture between Chadron State and the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha to help provide health care professionals for rural communities.

Sixteen of those honored are enrolled in the college’s traditional health professions programs and have been accepted by an assortment of professional schools.

In addition, Cassie Gnewuch of Pierce will attend Creighton University to study occupational therapy under the High Plains Health Opportunities Program.

Brad Fillmore, assistant professor of science at Chadron State, said the health professions program at CSC is thriving. He said those completing their training at CSC continue to do well at the professional schools they enter and the program continues to attract outstanding new students. He said more than 270 students are majoring in the health professions this year.

Also recognized at the dinner were two members of the science faculty who are leaving Chadron State. Dr. Jon Serra has accepted a position in biomedical research at the University of Pittsburgh-Titusville, and Avery Paulson will move to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to complete work on his doctorate.

Gregg Failla, a graduate of Chadron State who is now a pharmacist at Petersen Drug in Chadron, spoke at the dinner. He told those going on to professional programs that they have proven themselves and they will do well in the next phase of their training if they continue to work and persevere. Blending humor into his talk, Failla emphasized that persistence is the key to success and told the students not to give up if they receive a discouraging grade now and then.

Those in RHOP who will begin attending UNMC this fall are:

Clinical Laboratory Science—Tamara Lohmeier, Hebron, and Brett Van Briggle, Gordon.

Dentistry—Kaitlin Powell, McCook, and Jessamy Thornton, North Platte.

Medicine—Elizabeth Bay, Sutherland; Avery Shaw, Potter; Andria Daniels-Simons, Bridgeport; Jessie Spencer, Culbertson; and Scott Wewel, Ainsworth.

Nursing—Nichole Fitzke, Hastings; Casandra Race, Bartlett; and Julie True, Sutherland.

Pharmacy—Danyel Dux, Alexandria; Shane Halouska, Alliance; and Tara Matson, Kearney.

Physical Therapy—Alesa Hebbert, Gering; Josh Magill, Arnold; Lindsay Michael, Albion; Amy Niederklein, Hastings.

Physician Assistant—Eric Becker, Blair; Carrie Dunn, Falls City; and Brian Nice, Wahoo.

Radiography—Jennifer Lempke, Wallace.

CSC students in the traditional pre-professional program who have been accepted into various schools for their professional training are:

Clinical Laboratory Science—Amy Fairley, North Platte, to UNMC.

Dentistry—Karen Morrison, Mount Vernon, N.Y., to West Virginia University.

Nursing—Jessica Brottlund, Wright, Wyo., to UNMC program at Scottsbluff; Renee Roes, Chadron, to South Dakota State University program in Rapid City; Brittany Roost, Rapid City, to University of South Dakota program in Rapid City; Richelle Sorensen, Burwell, to UNMC in Omaha.

Dentistry—Travis Dickey, Morrill to UNMC in Lincoln.

Pharmacy—Lacey Deterding, Broken Bow, to UNMC; Trent Jebens, Rawlins, Wyo., to University of Wyoming.

Physician Assistant—Lindsay Monk, Grand Island, to UNMC.

Radiography—Leslie Faber, Alliance, to Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff; Holly Sukup, O’Neill, to UNMC in Omaha; Codi Teigen, Buffalo, S.D., to Mitchell, S.D., Technical Institute; Amanda Trampe, Elm Creek, to UNMC in Omaha; Jessica Williby, Creighton, to Mary Lanning Hospital in Lincoln.

Veterinary Science—Shane Terrell, Hay Springs, to Kansas State University.