Incoming RHOP participants announced

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

RHOP 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. Graduates of RHOP are encouraged and expected to return to rural areas of Nebraska to practice.

Student participants in the program complete pre-professional training at CSC with guaranteed pre-admittance to one of the UNMC sites if the program’s standards are met. Dental students will take advanced training in Lincoln, the nursing students in Scottsbluff, dental hygiene students in Gering and others in Omaha.

Kristal Kuhnel, director of the health professions program, said she was amazed at the maturity and organizational skills of the prospective students throughout the application process.

“They are a great group of students and we look forward to having them here in August,” Kuhnel said.

Faculty members Dr. Mathew Brust, Dr. Ann Buchmann, Dr. Joyce Hardy, Dr. Wendy Jamison, Dr. Tim Keith and Dr. Zachary Varpness participated in the selection process and interviews.

RHOP students

Dental Hygiene

Shelby Richards, Brule

Taylor Whetham, Morrill

Dentistry

Thomas Eckmann, West Point

Cael Sudbeck, Wynot

Medicine

Rebecca Hiatt, Spencer

Alisha Huynh, Scottsbluff

Roma Rodriguez, Hastings

Brawly Taylor, Fremont

Mikhail Thanawalla, Gering

Nursing

Myia Hamaker, Chadron

Kaitlyn Haug, Chadron

Maggie Morris, Sutherland

Trey Thayer, Harrison

Pharmacy

Katherine Homan, Creighton

Physical Therapy

Emily Hand, Columbus

Madison Watson, Mitchell

Physician Assistant

John Gill, Auburn

Riley Hall, Bridgeport

Brooke Charmosta, Ravenna

Radiography

Alicia Brown-Kasten, Big Springs