The UCHealth Northern Colorado Foundation Employee Scholarship Program is made possible through the extraordinary generosity of our donors. Their support reflects a shared commitment to investing in the people who care for our patients, support our teams, and strengthen the communities we serve.
For the 2025–2026 academic year, donor contributions funded scholarships for 48 UCHealth employees in Northern Colorado, awarding a total of $88,000 to support continued education and professional development. These scholarships benefit employees across Northern Colorado in a wide range of roles, from clinical and patient-facing positions to corporate and operational teams, and at various stages of their educational journeys.
By supporting education, donors help employees develop new skills, expand their knowledge, and grow as health care professionals, advancing excellence in patient care and service. This investment creates lasting impact not only for individual recipients, but also for their families, their teams, and the patients and communities who rely on UCHealth every day.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the donors whose continued support makes this program possible year after year. Below, this year’s scholarship recipients share reflections on how this meaningful investment has supported their educational and personal journeys.
Ellie R. | Family Nurse Practitioner
To the kind donors,
Thank you so much for the UCHealth Northern Colorado Scholarship. I am overjoyed to be a recipient of this scholarship award. Because of your generosity, working as a medical-surgical bedside RN while going back to school for my master’s will ease some of the financial stress of doing both at the same time. I am nearing the end of my program, which means I am in my clinical rotations. Some of which have required me to drive 1+ hour multiple times throughout the week to get my clinical hours complete while balancing my work schedule.
Working for UCHealth for the past 5 years has provided me with so many opportunities to further my career in nursing. From wonderful and caring managers, career advancement opportunities, amazing coworkers, a safe and supportive place to work, and a fantastic work culture at Poudre Valley Hospital, I have felt blessed.
This past April, I got in a mountain biking accident at Horsetooth Reservoir. I ended up fracturing the transverse processes of the L3 and L4 of my spine. This was my first time experiencing UCHealth as a patient in an emergency situation. From the CNA at Harmony urgent care who braided my hair for me when I couldn’t lift my arm, to the prompt ER nurse practitioner provider who sent me to PVH emergency department for further work up, to all of the wonderful care I received at Poudre Valley Hospital from my own coworkers, I was beyond impressed. I felt proud to be an employee of such a wonderful institute. This Scholarship also helps provide me with finances for when I had to take medical leave from my back injury this summer, so the timing of receiving this scholarship feels like a blessing.
I moved to Fort Collins immediately after graduating nursing school from UNMC in Nebraska in 2020. I truly feel I am living my small town little girl dreams of living in a beautiful city, getting to do my favorite outdoor activities (I have since fully recovered from my accident!), working in a fulfilling career, making an impact for the sick, being able to bike to work from my home, and chasing my dream career I have had since 16 years old of becoming a nurse practitioner.
Thank you for giving back to the beautiful profession of nursing. I hope to do the same as you to others someday.
Dear generous donors,
Grounded in my experience as a retired servicemember and my PhD training in Counseling Education and Supervision, my goal is to serve as a counselor educator and clinical supervisor who prepares practitioners to deliver culturally humble, evidence-based care. I am focused on strengthening support for service members, first responders, and underserved groups. Within UCHealth, I will contribute by designing staff training modules, supervising learners in clinical rotations, and coordinating outreach to reduce barriers to timely behavioral health services. I will further strengthen care by mentoring interns, ensuring interventions remain aligned with current evidence, and collaborating with community partners to streamline referrals and improve continuity of care.
This scholarship has had a direct impact on my education. It has reduced financial strain, which allowed me to maintain full academic momentum and invest in essential resources that help me meet program milestones on time and maintain high academic standards.
The scholarship is also shaping my career trajectory. With less financial pressure, I can focus on developing teaching competencies, strengthening my supervision skills, and advancing a line of research that translates into training modules for future counselors. My long-term plan is to teach, supervise, and produce applied scholarship that improves services for military families and other underserved groups.
The day-to-day effects are meaningful. I can spend more time preparing lessons, completing clinical documentation with care, and engaging in reflective practice. The support eases the transition from military to civilian professional life and allows me to protect time for family and wellness, which sustains my effectiveness as a scholar-practitioner.
I am deeply grateful for this investment. Your support helps me succeed now and positions me to pay it forward through teaching, supervision, and service to the community.
With gratitude,
Jerry P.
Jerry P. | PhD in Counseling Education and Supervision
Kory S. | MSN/MBA
Dear UCHealth Northern Colorado Scholarship Donors,
I am truly honored to be selected as a recipient of a 2025–2026 UCHealth Northern Colorado Foundation Scholarship. Your generosity means so much, and I am grateful for your investment in my growth and education.
I currently serve as the manager of the Harmony Freestanding Emergency Department, where our team is proud to provide high-acuity care in a community-focused setting. Beyond my role at UCHealth, I am actively involved with the Emergency Nurses Association, where I lead initiatives on quality, safety, and injury prevention. This work allows me to partner with local organizations on projects such as firearm safety education, suicide awareness, and mental health and wellness outreach, efforts that directly support the health of the communities we serve.
This scholarship will support me as I continue my MSN/MBA studies, which are an important step toward my long-term goal of becoming a director within UCHealth. I am deeply committed to staying within this system and to growing as a leader who can support both patients and staff in meaningful ways.
This award not only eases the financial burden of pursuing an advanced degree but also motivates me to continue giving back to both UCHealth and the broader community. Knowing that our community and employee donors believe in supporting UCHealth staff is inspiring, and it reinforces why I am proud to be part of this organization.
Thank you again for your generosity and for making opportunities like this possible.
With gratitude,
Kory S.
BSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, TCRN, FAEN
Sarah S. | Master of Business Administration
I am honored to be a recipient of the UCHealth Northern Colorado Foundation Scholarship this year. Your generous support is making a meaningful impact on my journey as I pursue a Master of Business Administration at Louisiana State University, with a focus in healthcare administration.
For the past 15 years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as a nurse with UCHealth, and for the last decade, I’ve held leadership roles within perioperative services across the North region. This Scholarship is not only helping me further my education—it’s empowering me to grow as a leader and deepen my commitment to advancing healthcare within our community.
I am excited to apply the knowledge and skills I gain through this program to continue serving UCHealth with purpose and innovation. Thank you for investing in my future and in the future of healthcare leadership.
Thank you for supporting my continued education. Your generosity will help provide me with the knowledge and tools necessary to serve the mental health needs of our community and address issues such as suicide, violence, substance abuse, community safety, and homelessness.
Heather F. | BS-DNP Leadership and Healthcare Systems
I am incredibly grateful for the generosity of the UCHealth Northern Colorado Foundation. The Scholarship funds provided have allowed me to continue my graduate education and lighten my financial burden. I recently graduated in August from the University of Colorado – Anschutz with my Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and will pursue my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) next spring. I’m interested in focusing on healthcare policy and its impact on women’s health. Outside of work and school, I enjoy reading, photography & getting outside in nature.
I want to sincerely thank you for the generous donation gift I received for finishing my degree. I have struggled financially and have been paying for school every month on a credit card, and as you all know the percentage you pay for credit is very high. This donation will help me feel a little less squeezed for a few months, and I appreciate it very much. I feel blessed to have been chosen for this scholarship.
Ashley C. | Psychiatrics-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
I am truly honored to receive this scholarship, and I want to sincerely thank you for your generosity and support. As an employee of 20 years at UCHealth, this recognition not only eases the financial strain of pursuing my PMHNP degree but also deeply encourages me to continue growing in my profession. Your gift is helping me dedicate more focus to refining my clinical skills and advancing patient care in the psychiatric field.
UCHealth has been my professional home for two decades, and I am proud to serve both as a nurse educator and as a student furthering my knowledge to better support our patients. It is inspiring to be part of an organization that invests in the growth of its staff, and I feel truly blessed to be surrounded by such passionate colleagues and supportive foundations.
Outside of nursing, I live in Northern Colorado with my husband of 16 years and our four children—ages twelve, ten, and four-year-old twins. They are my biggest cheerleaders, and we love spending time together outdoors, especially picnicking and camping. Their pride in the work I am doing adds even more meaning to this journey.
Please know that your investment is reaching far beyond me as an individual—it is strengthening the care I provide to patients, supporting the communities I serve, and setting an example for my family. I am profoundly grateful for your belief in the value of nursing and in my ability to make a difference as an advanced provider.
Thank you once again for your generous support. I am honored to carry this encouragement with me throughout my studies and career.
Brian C. | Associate of Science in Nursing
Without the help I’ve been given via scholarships, my goal for becoming an RN would not have been able to happen. I truly, from the bottom of my heart, appreciate the assistance you have given me. I’m a single dad with 2 teenage kids, and completing my degree is not only a personal goal I set years ago, it will drastically improve the quality of life for me, and for my children. This is absolutely one of the top 10 best things to have ever happened to me, and in large part it is due to you and the other various scholarships I have been able to receive.
Thank you. My dogs thank you. My kids thank you. My mother, my siblings, my friends, and my fiancé all thank you. Better life is incoming!!
Bernadette F. | Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management
I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for awarding me with the UCHealth Scholarship. It is an incredible honor to be selected, and I deeply appreciate the opportunity. This Scholarship will significantly ease the financial burden of continuing my education while balancing professional responsibilities. With your support, I am now able to pursue my bachelor’s with greater focus and determination. I am committed to applying what I learn to contribute meaningfully to our organization and to grow both personally and professionally. Without the help of all the generous donors this scholarship program wouldn’t be possible.
Thank you once again for your investment in my future. Your support inspires me to work harder and to pay it forward whenever I can.
Alison G. | Doctor of Physical Therapy
Thank you very much for your generous donation. Because of your generosity, financing my education this semester is less of a worry. I am currently a full-time student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Colorado and a full time employee working on the ambulance in order to make enough money to be able to go to school. The financial burden of school is immense and something I must take on to be able to follow my dreams and your generosity truly takes a lot of my stress away as I go into this next semester. Your donation will help fund my education to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy. With this degree, I hope to serve individuals living in rural areas who are currently underserved and do not have equal access to healthcare and physical therapy. I hope you know how truly thankful I am for your support.
Amy B. | MS in Organizational Leadership
I am deeply grateful for your incredible generosity and support. This Scholarship not only provides me with the financial assistance I need, but also gives me the invaluable opportunity to accelerate my academic journey. I am truly excited to be able to focus more on my studies and work towards completing my degree sooner, thanks to your kindness. Your belief in my potential means a great deal to me, and I am committed to making the most of this opportunity.
Scott K. | Computer Science
Thank you so much for helping me pay for my education. It means the world to me that so many kind hearted people gave to help people like me achieve so much.
Keila C. | Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Donors, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity to gain a scholarship to put towards my educational pursuit. I promise that I’ll use these funds wisely and dedicate myself to becoming a great ER nurse who is proud to serve their Colorado community.
Don B. | Emergency and Disaster Management
Thank you all so much for the assistance with pursuing higher education. In my line of work we regularly witness emergencies at the local level my intent with the application of this additional funding is to not only manage those emergencies to a higher degree but also be able to assist with the larger-scale disasters that befall the community. I have dedicated my life to preserving life and property and you all have made that possible to a degree that may not be evident in day-to-day life. I am eternally grateful for this opportunity.
My wife and I recently had our first child and it has framed the delicacy of life as we see it today. So again, thank you, for allowing me the opportunity to pursue a higher level of service to our community.
Isaac D. | Cardiac Sonography
Thank you so very much for your gracious donation that will help me grow in my new career path. This award has been essential to getting me through school and will help my family and I for years to come. Words cannot express how grateful I am for you all.
Ashley N. | Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Thank you for your donation!
Stacy M. | Respiratory Therapy
Hello, my name is Stacy M., and I’m incredibly grateful to have been selected for this award.
I’ve been a phlebotomist at Medical Center of the Rockies for 12 years. In June of last year, my younger brother was in a serious car accident and spent five months in critical care. Watching him fight for his life was incredibly difficult, but the medical staff, especially the respiratory therapists, were amazing. Their care and dedication inspired me to pursue a career in respiratory therapy.
Being a full-time student while working night shifts and commuting daily has been challenging, both physically and financially. This award provides much-needed support, and I’m truly thankful to UCHealth and everyone who invests in student education.
Chris K. | PhD in Nursing Education
Thank you so much for the Scholarship! Working in the UCHealth system I appreciate our dedication to education and increasing our employee’s ability to grow and develop. I really appreciate your generosity!
Noemi R. | Liberal Arts with a minor in Spanish
Thank you for considering me for the Brian Gould Scholarship, part of UCHealth Northern Colorado Scholarship Foundation, for the academic year 2024-2025.
Currently, I am majoring in Liberal Arts with a minor in Spanish at Colorado State University. I plan to use my academic success to help interpret for UCHealth, thereby preventing barriers for Spanish-speaking individuals and ensuring they receive the care they deserve. I love helping people and plan to do so by being an advocate for the Spanish-speaking community. This Scholarship has alleviated my financial burden, enabled me to focus better on my studies, and brought me one step closer to achieving my goal.
Thank you for your generosity and belief in students. The support was a great inspiration to me, and I can follow my dreams of helping those around me.
Emily W. | Nursing
Thank you so much more supporting my nursing education! I just started my first semester at Aims Community College studying my associate’s in nursing. I’m excited to continue my studies in healthcare and become a nurse one day for UCHealth. Donors like you make it possible!
Mayra N. | Master of Science in Nursing Education
I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for your generous scholarship support. As I pursue my Master’s in Nursing Education, this award has significantly eased the financial burden of continuing my education. It has allowed me to focus more fully on my academic and professional goals while maintaining the valuable time I have with my family.
Your support has made a meaningful difference in my life, and I am truly honored to be a recipient. Thank you for investing in my future and in the future of nursing education.
Trevor G. | Biology and Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Chemistry
Thank you so much for your donation! I can’t express enough gratitude for your selfless support. With your help, I am able to continue providing care at my position as a paramedic while also furthering my education. Being a full time student and working full time certainly has its challenges, but your generosity has eased this burden an incredible amount. Thank you again!!