37 high school students chosen to RHOP at CSC

The selections were based on college entrance examination scores, academic success and leadership exhibited in high school and personal interviews.

The RHOP program began in 1990 as a joint venture between CSC and the University of Nebraska Medical Center to help counter the shortage of medical professionals in rural Nebraska. A recent study showed that RHOP is achieving its mission as 52 percent of its graduates are practicing health care in rural Nebraska and another 16 percent are working in the lesser-populated areas of other states.

Students selected as participants in the program take pre-professional training at CSC before transferring to one of the UNMC sites. The dental students will take advanced training at Lincoln, the dental hygiene and nursing students at Scottsbluff and the others in Omaha.

The selections consist of 27 participants and 10 alternates. Often, the alternates become primary participants before their training at CSC is completed.

Participants and their high schools, listed by discipline of study:

Clinical laboratory science — Brittany McCoy, Alliance

Dental hygiene — Macey Huston, Loomis

Dentistry — Donald Hlava, Gordon-Rushville; Alexis Hoagland, Gordon-Rushville; Jill Schiltmeyer, Pope John XXIII Central Catholic at Elgin

Medicine — Emory Dye, Mitchell, Brooke Housh, Hay Springs; Garrett Johnson, Chadron; Jens Johnson, Chadron; Rebecca Rose, Creek Valley at Chappell

Nursing — Erica Burr, Holdrege; Victoria Chesterman, Bertrand; Hannah Christian, Gordon home school; Rahne Kunzman, Alliance; Alecia McCabe, Chambers

Pharmacy — Zachary Cullers, Ord; Alex Johnson, Kearney; Marla Munsen, Hershey

Physical therapy — Kaitlen Flynn, Schuyler Central; Anthony Garcia, Neligh-Oakdale; Andrew Leider, Alliance; William “Zach” Long, Wayne

Physician’s assistant — Jonathan Ehlers, Tri County at DeWitt, Mallory Murdoch, Holdrege; Rebecca Oligmueller, West Point Central Catholic

Radiography — Jessica Chittenden, Paxton; Kristy Stevens, Ord

Alternates and their high schools, listed by discipline of study:

Dentistry — Kelsey Coffman, North Platte; McKenzie Owen, Valentine

Dental hygiene — Gabrielle Hall, Alliance

Medicine — Travis Doht, McCool Junction; Emily Gubbels, Randolph; Kristin Miller, Scottsbluff; Andrew Post, Bridgeport; Kate Seifer, McPherson County at Tryon

Physical therapy — Keanna Gross, Ainsworth; Lucas Winslow, Kearney Catholic