Health science students accepted to professional schools

Sixteen of the students are Nebraskans participating in the Rural Health Opportunities Program, a joint venture with the University of Nebraska Medical Center that is designed to provide health care professionals to lesser-populated areas of Nebraska.

Dr. Kristi Johnson, a Chadron family physician, was the guest speaker at the banquet. Johnson, whose husband Dave also practices medicine in Chadron, shared insights about the health care field.

The 16 RHOP students and their hometowns, listed by field of study:

Dental Hygiene: Clarissa Babb, St. Edward; Melanie Shafto, Amherst.

Medicine: Chelsea Keeney, Callaway; Naomi Matthews, Benkelman; Adam Rasmussen, Mead; Kortany Schultz, Scottsbluff.

Nursing (UNMC West at Scottsbluff): Sarah Counts, Chappell.

Pharmacy: Valarie Hoffman, Chambers.

Physical Therapy: Natalie Dunn, Valentine; Kelsey Gregory, Bayard; Taylor Lovitt, Tryon; Adam Peetz, Sidney.

Physician Assistant: Alysia Mowry, Bartley.

Radiography: Marilee Boals, Sutton; Laura Hamling, Valentine; Breanne Ritz, Ravenna.

The 14 traditional track students, their hometowns, the schools they will attend and their field of study:

Clinical Lab Science: Sarah Crackel, North Platte, UNMC; Rebecca Gronewald, Gothenburg, UNMC.

Medicine: Katie Brown, Smoot, Wyo., University of Washington; Alex Villeda, Grand Island, University of Missouri.

Nursing: Brittany Billingsley, Bayard, UNMC West; Katie Goff, Whitney, UNMC West; Sarah Plettner, Creighton, UNMC West; Whitney Trumbull, Tryon, UNMC West; Angela Waugh, Chadron, UNMC West; Katie Zacharias, Long Pine, UNMC West.

Optometry: Paige Bosch, Wheatland, Wyo., Pacific University.

Physician Assistant: Josh Garza, Minatare, UNMC; Ashley Nutsch, Highlands Ranch, Colo., Mount Union College.