Scholarship Winners Are Named

Merlin Brondum Scholarship:

Rachel Tietz, a Winside native, has been selected to receive the Merlin Brondum Memorial Scholarship. Rachel is a student at BryanLGH College of Health Sciences - School of Nurse Anesthesia. Tietz is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Nurse Anesthesia. She graduated from University of Nebraska Medical Center in Lincoln with a bachelor of science in nursing in 2003. Her career goal of working in a rural community is reinforced by being raised on a farm in rural Nebraska. "I strive each day to give patients the best possible health care experience." She is currently residing is Lincoln with her husband, Brent, and daughter, Carleigh.

The $2500 scholarship is awarded annually in memory of Merlin Brondum. Merlin worked at Pender Community Hospital for 27 years, most of which were as Director of the Laboratory. He died in 2003 after a brief illness and will be remembered by the PCH staff as a friend and family member. The scholarship committee makes its decision based on health care experience, academic performance, financial need, career objectives in a rural area and community contributions.

Gloria Vollers Scholarship:

Kristin Walsh of Hubbard has been selected to receive the 2nd annual Gloria Vollers Memorial Scholarship. Walsh graduated in May from Northeast Community College in Norfolk with an Associates Degree in Nursing. She will be pursuing her bachelor's degree in nursing through the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She has previously worked at PCH in the medical records department as a medical records clerk and as a certified nursing assistant at Wakefield Healthcare Center. She is currently working at Pender Community Hospital as a registered nurse. She and her husband Justin reside in rural Hubbard.

Gloria, a registered nurse, worked at Pender Community Hospital for over 30 years as a staff nurse, surgery supervisor and Director of Nursing. The $2000 scholarship was made possible by a generous donation from Dr. Cyrus Beye, a retired general surgeon who served the Pender Community Hospital for many years. Dr. Beye was touched by Gloria's compassion, caring spirit, professionalism and dedication to nursing. The first recipient of the Gloria Vollers scholarship was Susan Hall-McQuistan in 2007.