Student

Amarillo College – LVN to RN

Hailey Ruvalcaba is continuing directly from Amarillo College’s LVN program into the RN program. Her own experience with severe eczema inspired her interest in dermatology and showed her how good care can restore both health and confidence. She plans to remain in Amarillo and work in a dermatology setting, giving patients the attention and reassurance she once received. This scholarship will allow her to continue her education without taking another year away from school to work and save for tuition.

Student

Amarillo College – Associate Degree Nursing

Christian Roybal is an Associate Degree Nursing student at Amarillo College who works 12-hour shifts as a mental health technician at Northwest Pavilion. That experience has taught him to remain observant and patient while caring for people during difficult points in their lives. After earning his RN, Christian plans to work in acute or critical care at Northwest Texas Healthcare System. His long-term goal is to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. This scholarship will give him more time to study, rest, and prepare for that future.

Student

West Texas A&M University – RN to BSN

Jessica Aguilar is a wife, mother, and emergency room nurse completing West Texas A&M University’s RN to BSN program while working full-time. Her family’s experience with infertility shaped her long-term goal of expanding reproductive health and fertility resources in the Texas Panhandle. Jessica hopes to continue working in rural health care in Hereford while teaching patients, students, and fellow nurses. This scholarship will reduce the overtime required to cover tuition and give her more time for her education and family.

Student

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center – Traditional BSN

Bailee Douglas is a first-generation college student pursuing her BSN at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Amarillo. Raised by a teenage mother and supported by her grandmother, Bailee learned early what sacrifice and compassionate care look like. She is beginning an internship at BSA and is especially interested in women’s health and OB-GYN nursing. Her long-term plans include becoming a nurse practitioner and possibly caring for military families or veterans. This scholarship will allow her to devote more time to her coursework and clinical training.

Student

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center – Traditional BSN

Kristy Silva-Alvarado is pursuing her BSN at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center while working as a pharmacy technician at BSA. She hopes to remain at BSA after graduation, drawn to its teaching environment and the respect she has seen among its staff. Kristy also volunteers with the Panhandle Adult Rebuilding Center, where listening to people’s stories has strengthened her desire to care for patients who are often overlooked. This scholarship will help her reduce her work hours and spend more time developing her nursing skills.

Student

West Texas A&M University – Traditional BSN

Janet Banuelos was raised in Booker and plans to bring her nursing education back to the rural communities of the Texas Panhandle. She currently works as a patient care technician and nursing intern at BSA while completing her BSN and a minor in psychology at West Texas A&M University. Janet plans to begin her career in Amarillo before returning to Booker, where health care resources are limited. This scholarship will support her education as she prepares to help patients facing transportation, financial, and language barriers.

Student

West Texas A&M University – Traditional BSN

Andrea Marquez is a West Texas A&M University nursing student from Dumas. Her mother’s experience with a rare cancer and the financial strain of traveling to Houston for treatment have shaped Andrea’s view of the challenges many families face when seeking care. She plans to work at Northwest Texas Healthcare System after graduation and hopes to organize health fairs offering screenings and health information in Spanish. This scholarship will help cover tuition, textbooks, and testing fees while giving Andrea more time for clinical practice and study.

Student

West Texas A&M University – Master of Science in Nursing

Isabel Mitchell is pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing and preparing to become a family nurse practitioner. A former NICU nurse who now provides pediatric home health care, she hopes to work at a pediatric clinic in Amarillo after graduation. Isabel grew up in Borger and wants to improve access to care for children and families across the Texas Panhandle. As a bilingual provider, she also hopes to help Spanish-speaking patients communicate more comfortably with their care teams. This scholarship will support the demanding clinical hours required by her program.

Student

Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi – Doctor of Nursing Practice

Ryann Thompson is pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership while working in emergency and critical care and teaching nursing students. Her doctoral project focuses on improving communication when patients are transferred from the emergency department to intensive care. Ryann plans to continue serving through BSA Health System and West Texas A&M University, connecting bedside care, nursing education, and hospital leadership. This scholarship will support her research and her work preparing nurses to serve the Texas Panhandle.

MSN, RN, NE-BC, Student

University of Texas at Arlington – Doctor of Nursing Practice, Executive Leadership

Dena Shapley is a nursing leader for women’s, infants’ and children’s services at BSA Health System. Her work across the Texas Panhandle has focused on improving care for patients and families while supporting the nurses who care for them. Dena is pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice to advance evidence-based care, prepare future nurse leaders and expand access in rural communities. Receiving the Dr. Valerie Kiper Doctoral Leadership Scholarship will help her continue developing programs that improve patient outcomes and give nurses the confidence to lead.