Community Healthcare Scholars Program

In 2012 Yavapai College announced the creation of the largest scholarship program in its history when the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Prescott (JCF) provided full tuition and fee scholarships to 48 students in the nursing and radiologic technology programs over a five-year period. The first recipients of the Jewish Foundation Healthcare Scholarships began their professional studies at Yavapai College in August of 2012. Along the way other community organizations contributed funds to the program such that by the time the program ended in the spring of 2017, the scholarship program had successfully graduated 54 new healthcare professionals.

Those involved in the initial scholarship program recognized the importance of the program and the need to continue the program for another five years. The ‘call’ went out and six organizations stepped forward to fund another 63 students for Phase 2 of the program through the fall of 2021. The success and impact of the program along with the dedicated community partners has enabled Phase 3 and will fund yet another 70 students with the final cohort scheduled to graduate Spring 2025.  The organizations are: Harold James Family Trust, Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Prescott, Margret T. Morris Foundation, Prescott Radiologists, LLP, Yavapai College Foundation, Yavapai Regional Medical Center and The Fain Signature Group.  Upon completion of Phase 3, these generous partners will have funded over $1 million in healthcare scholarships, nearing 200 recipients.

The scholarship program is designed to address two issues: (1) the expected shortage of healthcare professionals in coming years and (2) the inability of rural communities to effectively compete with urban communities for these highly valued professionals. To date, the program has achieved a 91% completion rate.  Of those who have completed their training, 91% have stayed in the immediate area.  The Community Healthcare Scholarship program is a community effort to identify, support, and train students who are committed to pursuing a healthcare career in our local community. As described by JCF president, David Hess, M.D.: “The program simultaneously supports education and healthcare, while ensuring a ‘pipeline’ of vital healthcare professionals for the local medical community.”

When asked about the Community Healthcare Scholars Program, Paul Kirchgraber, Director of Development at Yavapai College Foundation said: “The College is overwhelmed with the enthusiasm our community has shown in supporting these aspiring healthcare professionals. The generosity of these respected organizations is truly amazing and the provided scholarships relieve the financial burden for students allowing them to concentrate on their studies.”