BCBSND Caring Foundation expands scholarship program, supporting future health care professionals

Scholarship recipient Michelle Albrecht is pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia at the University of North Dakota.

Fargo, N.D. -The Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) Caring Foundation is proud to announce 50 outstanding students as recipients of the annual Health Profession Scholarship and one student as the Health Care Leader recipient. Now in its ninth year, the scholarship program continues to invest in the next generation of North Dakota health care professionals, expanding from 30 to 50 Health Profession Scholarship recipients for the first time. This increased investment helps strengthen the state's future health care workforce and supports access to quality care in communities across North Dakota.

For recipients like Michelle Albrecht, this scholarship will help her pursue the goal of serving the communities that once served her.

"I am incredibly grateful to receive this rural healthcare scholarship as I pursue my DNP in Nurse Anesthesia. I grew up in the small town of Parshall, ND, where I learned what it means to live in a rural area. The support of this scholarship brings me one step closer to my goal of providing safe, high-quality anesthesia care to rural communities."

The Caring Foundation offers these scholarships because North Dakota needs more health care professionals close to home. About 62% of residents live in an area with a shortage of mental health professionals, and 24% live in an area with a shortage of primary care providers, according to the "Health and Well-Being in North Dakota Closeup" study conducted by North Dakota State University (NDSU) Center for Social Research and funded by the Caring Foundation.

Health Profession Scholarship Recipients

The following outstanding students have each received a $2,500 Health Profession Scholarship for the 2026-2027 school year:

• Adyson Gallagher, Diagnostic Medical Sonographer at Bismarck State College
• Alaina Charvat, Nursing at North Dakota State University
• Alora Berke, Nursing at the University of North Dakota
• Amy Giordano, Social Work at Cankdeska Cikana Community College
• Anna Lee, Doctor of Physical Therapy at the University of Jamestown
• Ashley Mehlhoff, Medical Laboratory Technician at Bismarck State College
• Ashley Wingenbach, Doctor of Nursing Practice at North Dakota State University
• Austin Kalla, Physical Therapy at the University of Jamestown
• Baylee Halverson, Radiologic Technology at Minot State University
• Blessing Monday, Nursing at the University of Jamestown
• Brady Schock, Physical Therapy at the University of Mary
• Brea Chrest, Nursing at Bismarck State College
• Brynn Gibson, Nursing at the University of Mary
• Bukola Shokunbi, Doctor of Nursing Practice - Nurse Anesthesia at the University of North Dakota
• Caleb Nissen, Nursing at North Dakota State University
• Carly Borrman, Occupational Therapy at the University of Mary
• Dhivyaa Sivakumar Hemapriya, Master of Public Health at the University of North Dakota
• Elyanna Schmitz, Nursing at North Dakota State University
• Eric Pladsen, Doctor of Nursing Practice - Nurse Anesthesia at the University of North Dakota
• Ethan Bergeman, Doctor of Medicine at the University of North Dakota
• Graci Offner, Dental Hygiene at North Dakota State College of Science
• Hattie Fitterer, Occupational Therapy at the University of Mary
• Inna Yudicheva, Nursing at Lake Region State College
• Jaci Fischer, Exercise Science; Pre-PT at the University of Mary
• Jada Schwartzenberger, Pharmacy at North Dakota State University
• Jessica Mwamba, Nursing at Bismarck State College
• Kadence Rambur, Biological Sciences at North Dakota State University
• Kalissa Armstrong, Nursing at Lake Region State College
• Kendra Nickerson, Radiologic Science at North Dakota State University
• Laxmi Adhikari, Public Health at North Dakota State University
• Levi Preston, Family Nurse Practitioner at the University of North Dakota
• Liam Devine, Physical Therapy at the University of Mary
• Lindsy Simms-Jones, Nursing at Rasmussen University
• Lisa Pennington, Master of Public Health at North Dakota State University
• Lisa Tompkin, Nursing at Lake Region State College
• Lorren Postl, Pharmacy at North Dakota State University
• Madison Kasper, Nursing at North Dakota State University
• Madison Kirschemann, Doctor of Physical Therapy at University of Jamestown
• Madison Schatz, Occupational Therapy at the University of Mary
• Maggie Metson, Nursing at North Dakota State University
• Mariah Byrnes, Doctor of Physical Therapy at the University of Mary
• Michelle Albrecht, Doctor of Nursing Practice - Nurse Anesthesia at the University of North Dakota
• Nichole Enno, Public Health Education; Pre-Med at the University of North Dakota
• Odele Rajpathy, Nursing at the University of North Dakota
• Paula Amahndong, Nursing at Lake Region State College
• Rachel Walz, Doctor of Nursing Practice - Nurse Anesthesia at the University of North Dakota
• Tavi Hirchert, Pharmacy at North Dakota State University
• Trisha Yusi, Nursing at North Dakota State University
• Victor Gromoff, Doctor of Nursing Practice - Nurse Anesthesia at the University of North Dakota

Health Care Leader Scholarship Recipient

Courtney Davis, a PhD student in the Department of Indigenous Health at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, was selected for BCBSND Caring Foundation's Health Care Leader scholarship. Davis is passionate about building stronger, more meaningful partnerships across health organizations and Tribal nations, helping advance more collaborative approaches to improve health and well-being.

The next round of scholarships will open for applications in September 2027. For more information, visit bcbsnd.com/scholarships.

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.