Columbia Basin Care Foundation awards $8,000 in scholarships
From Columbia Basin Care:
By Melodie Davis
The Dalles, Ore. July 16, 2024 — The future of good health just got brighter, thanks to the Columbia Basin Care Foundation which recently awarded $8,000 in scholarships to three local students pursuing careers in healthcare.
Scholarships of $2,500 to $3,000 were awarded in two categories: Residents of the Columbia River Gorge and Employees of Columbia Basin Care, a skilled nursing facility in The Dalles, Oregon.
The Columbia Basin Care Foundation supports the work and mission of Columbia Basin Care, the region’s only independent, nonprofit, skilled nursing facility. Since 2019, the Foundation has provided over $50,000 in scholarships to help grow and develop the expertise of the local medical community.
Recipients of the 2024 Columbia Basin Care Foundation Scholarships are: Nicole de la Cruz, Aleida Banuelos, and Lissette Beltran-Juarez
Nicole de la Cruz
Nicole de la Cruz, of The Dalles, was awarded $2,500 to pursue her dream of being a dental hygienist here in The Dalles. The scholarship will enable her to prioritize spending time with her young family this summer while working full-time and filling in at the local hospital as needed. Once she reaches her career goal, she hopes to use her skills on mission trips to South America or wherever she is needed.
Aleida Banuelos
Aleida Banuelos, a Hood River native, was awarded $2,500 to pursue a bachelor's degree in Nursing. She currently works at Columbia Basin Care as a Certified Nurse Assistant and is frequently recognized by her peers as a joy to work with. She stands out to coworkers and residents alike for her happy and hardworking nature. “This is a wonderful opportunity that was handed to me,” she says, “and I intend to make the best use of it that I can”.
Lisette Beltran-Juarez
Lisette Beltran-Juarez, of Mt Hood Parkdale, was awarded the Asher Anderson Award, a scholarship of $3,000 given in memory of Asher who passed in 2008 and for whom Columbia Basin Care established a scholarship tribute. She says that this scholarship has allowed her to accept her place at the University of Portland – her top choice in colleges. Upon graduation, Lissette intends to work as a social worker serving Spanish-speaking communities, with a focus on children in foster care.
The Columbia Basin Care Foundation is the charitable arm of Columbia Basin Care, the region’s only independent, nonprofit, facility for short-stay rehabilitation and long-term care.
“We received many applications, and it was a joy to read through them and see all of the aspiring healthcare professionals in our community”. “We are grateful for those who applied and for those who continue to donate to the foundation to make scholarships like this available to our community. “ said Aubree Schreiner, Executive Director.
Columbia Basin Care is located at 1015 Webber St. in The Dalles, Oregon. To learn more or to donate to the Foundation, go to colbasin.com/foundation, or contact Aubree Schreiner, Executive Director, at 541-296-2156.
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