BCBSND Caring Foundation announces 2024-2025 Scholarship Recipients

Fargo, N.D. – Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) Caring Foundation is honored to announce the 30 recipients of its annual Health Profession Scholarship for students in North Dakota totaling $75,000. This is the seventh year the BCBSND Caring Foundation has provided this scholarship opportunity which aims to help address the health care workforce shortage and provide financial assistance to aspiring students who are pursuing a health profession to strengthen the workforce. According to previous recipient, Joslyn Nordmark, the scholarships are a helpful tool for growing the health care workforce in North Dakota.

“I am an occupational therapy student at the University of North Dakota. I applied for and received the Health Profession Scholarship last year. This scholarship helped make graduate school possible for me. It changed my graduate school experience and my life in general as it relieved a lot of financial burdens so I could focus better on my studies. That really paid off because I am currently in the honors society for occupational therapy now!”

The following outstanding students have each received a $2,500 Health Profession Scholarship for the 2024-2025 school year:

• Ali Schumacher, Nursing at North Dakota State University
• Amanda Linne, Public Health at North Dakota State University
• Arwyn Berke, Nursing at University of North Dakota
• Brock Klimek, Pharmacy at North Dakota State University     
• Cassie Kindsfater, Nursing at Bismarck State College
• Chastity Lightning, Social Work at University of North Dakota              
• Dana Zarn, Physical Therapy at University of North Dakota   
• Edwin Akomaning, Public Health at North Dakota State University    
• Ethan Bergeman, Biology at University of North Dakota         
• Garrett Bloms, Nursing at North Dakota State University       
• Gracie Doe, Nursing at North Dakota State University
• Hailey Wanner, Pharmacy at North Dakota State University
• Hannah Ulsager, Nursing at North Dakota State University   
• Joslyn Nordmark, Occupational Therapy at University of North Dakota            
• Kassidy Reiser, Nursing at North Dakota State University
• Mabel Larson, Physical Therapy at University of Mary             
• Madison Shreffler, Pharmacy at North Dakota State University           
• Marilee Byington, Nursing at University of Mary
• McKenzie Fuglestad, Nursing at Lake Region State College
• Megan Larson, Nursing at University of Jamestown
• Mikayla Bell, Social Work at Minot State University  
• Morgan Freije, Health Sciences at Valley City State University             
• Preston Kroeber, Biology at University of Jamestown              
• Shae Sherrod, Nursing at Williston State College       
• Shelby Ducheneaux, Social Work at Cankdeska Cikana Community College    
• Skye Witmer, Nursing at Dakota College at Bottineau              
• Tayler Mau, Nursing at North Dakota State University
• Taylor Pfeiffer, Nursing at North Dakota State University
• Victoria Reed, Pharmacy at North Dakota State University    
• Victoria Weinand, Nursing at University of Mary

Caring Foundation also awarded this year’s Healthcare Leader scholarship in the amount of $5,000 to Amanda Akers, a graduate student attending North Dakota State University in Fargo. Amanda is pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice and currently works as an on-call nurse.

The next round of scholarships will be open for applications from Aug. 1 to Oct. 1, 2025. For more information, please visit www.bcbsnd.com/caring-foundation.

About the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota Caring Foundation
Established in 1989, the BCBSND Caring Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Through giving and investing, the Caring Foundation focuses on key health issues to help improve the health and well-being of North Dakotans and their communities. Caring Foundation staff collaborate with grantees to support non-profit sustainability, promote shared outcomes and create lasting change.

Contact:

Melissa Richard
Director of Communications
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NORTH DAKOTA, FARGO
952-240-3477 (mobile) | melissa.richard@bcbsnd.com | www.bcbsnd.com