Tammy Lopez, Dr. Tom Gilmore, Dr. Shawn Elliott, Kathy Rogers, Kathy Robbins, El Pomar senior vice president; and Mari Tanabe, El Pomar program associate, encourage local nursing students and professional nurses to pursue their academic goals.
The El Pomar Foundation presented an $111,000 check to the Adams State University Foundation, on February 4. El Pomar established the scholarship four years ago and pledged to continue this support through the 2016-2017 academic year.
According to Tammy Lopez ’91, ’00, executive director of the ASU Foundation, the total of includes $45,000 to undergraduate students, while $66,000 is targeted to those pursuing advanced degrees at any university as nurse practitioner, nurse educator, or physician assistant. "Most of the students receiving this part of the scholarship are our faculty, or live here in the valley and are currently working in the field," Lopez said. "They are all taking classes on-line through other universities."
Dr. Shawn Elliott, director of the Nursing Program, appreciates the support. "This scholarship is a vital resource."
Dr. Tom Gilmore, former Adams State president, and Kathy Rogers, Rio Grande Savings and Loan Association vice president and director of marketing, are members of the El Pomar regional council. Gilmore said El Pomar is committed to helping improve the quality of life in the San Luis Valley for all of its residents. "Better quality and more access to medical care will be a real benefit to all the people living here."
According to Rogers, the original goal included assisting nursing students, most likely to work in the valley. "We hoped to alleviate some of our primary care access challenges in the SLV. We also achieved other positive outcomes, such as the provision of much needed nursing instructors for both ASU and TSJC."
Based in Colorado Springs, the El Pomar Foundation funds grants and programs that enhance, encourage, and promote the current and future well-being of the people of Colorado.
