WASILLA, Alaska (KTUU) – Alaska is facing a critical shortage of healthcare workers, putting immense strain on hospitals and clinics across the state, but a local organization is stepping in to help.
The Mat-Su Health Foundation is offering nearly $4.5 million in scholarships to anyone looking to start or advance their career in healthcare.
At the Mat-Su Career Tech High School in Wasilla, students bustled through the halls during passing period and lunch. Among them are future healthcare professionals like 18-year-old Kylee Geren, who dreams of becoming a pediatric oncologist.
Her classmate, 18-year-old Kynedi Clark, is interested in anesthesiology after completing the school’s Certified Nursing Assistant program (CNA).
“I did CNA here at tech, and it was an amazing class. I loved it,” Kynedi shared.
Grayson McDowell, a 17-year-old senior, is drawn to biomedical engineering, inspired by his own experiences as an athlete.
“I’ve been an athlete my whole life, and whenever I like, experience an injury or something, I go in to get checked out by doctors,” he said. ”I just found that something I’m really interested in and helping people, specifically helping athletes, but helping people in general.”
The Mat-Su Health Foundation’s scholarship program is designed to support students like Kylee, Kynedi, and Grayson in achieving their career goals.
“By investing in our residents, helping them pay for college, defer their educational expenses, we’re helping support the workforce as well,” said Adelina Rodriguez with the Mat-Su Health Foundation.
Rodriguez is also instrumental in helping applicants through the process and added, “It gives me hope that there are still individuals still wanting to go into the nursing field, knowing there is such a shortage.”
These scholarships aren’t just for high school seniors. Anyone pursuing a career in health or human services can apply, whether they’re continuing their education, making a career change, or already working in the field. There’s no age limit, and the goal is to keep Alaska’s healthcare workforce growing.
“I would be open to going to school somewhere else and then coming back here and working in healthcare for a little bit,” Clark said.
McDowell echoed that sentiment, saying, “As of now, I’m not really sure, but I would love to come back here and bring what I’ve learned back to Alaska.”
Even if students take their skills elsewhere, the most important thing is that they know this opportunity exists helping them get started on their journey, wherever it may lead.
The application process is open through March 15. Click here to apply.
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