Ashtyn Nelson named to RHOP at CSC

2014 Mar 10

Ashtyn Nelson of Chadron, Neb. has been named as a Participant in the Rural Health Opportunites Program at Chadron State College. Nelson plans to study Medicine in RHOP at CSC.

Incoming student participants in the collaborative Rural Health Opportunities Program between Chadron State College and the University of Nebraska Medical Center have been named. Jill Mack, director of Health Programs and RHOP at CSC said, "They are a great group of students and we look forward to having them here in August."

Mack said some interviews, which took place in January, were conducted in-person while others were conducted using distance technology. Students must be residents of rural communities in Nebraska to apply for the program. All participants receive four-year, full-tuition waivers as long as they remain eligible.

The selections for students seeking careers in nine health sciences were based on college entrance examination scores, academic success and leadership exhibited in high school and personal interviews.

RHOP began in 1990 as a joint venture between CSC and UNMC to help counter the shortage of medical professionals in rural Nebraska. Graduates of RHOP are encouraged and expected to return to the rural areas of Nebraska to practice.

Students selected as participants in the program take pre-professional training at CSC, with guaranteed pre-admittance to one of the UNMC sites if the program's standards are met. The dental students will take advanced training at Lincoln, the nursing students at Scottsbluff, dental hygiene at Gering and the others in Omaha.

The selections consist of 22 participants and four alternates. Often, the alternates become primary participants before their training at CSC is completed.