A $25,000 gift from ʻOhana Health Plan to the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu’s pre-nursing program is a boost to addressing the nursing shortage in Hawaiʻi. The ʻOhana Health Plan Pre-Nursing Scholarship-UH West Oʻahu will help support students pursuing a career in nursing by covering tuition, books and other related expenses.
The UH West Oʻahu bachelor of applied science, health professions, general health science concentration with a pre-nursing pathway was designed to address the nursing shortage and aims to develop and prepare scholarly leaders from west Oʻahu who are interested in improving the health and wellness of their community through a career in nursing.
“Healthcare and increasing the number of healthcare professionals—especially nurses—is paramount in Hawaiʻi,” said Rebecca Romine, faculty director of the Pre-Nursing Pathway Program.
“These scholarships will help reduce financial stress so our students can focus more on their studies and academic performance,” said Romine, an associate professor with the Division of Mathematics, Natural and Health Sciences. “The scholarship funds will help students from the west side of Oʻahu learn and practice the skills and knowledge within the pre-nursing curriculum so that they pursue their nursing career.”
Scholarship criteria and eligibility requirements
- UH West Oʻahu student enrolled in the pre-nursing program
- Undergraduate, full-time
- Graduate of a Hawaiʻi high school, preferred
- Resident of Hawaiʻi, as determined by the university admissions office, preferred
- Demonstrates academic merit, as determined by the selection committee
Visit the UH Foundation website to learn more about the scholarship. Students may apply through the UH System Common Scholarship Application.
Investment in the future of healthcare
Nicole Akana, co-lead of the Pre-Nursing Pathway Program, added that the scholarship is more than financial support for students.
“It’s an investment in the future of healthcare on the west side of our island,” Akana said. “By empowering aspiring nurses, we are addressing the critical nursing shortage and strengthening our local workforce, ensuring quality care for our community for generations to come.”
ʻOhana Health Plan initially created the scholarship in 2016 with a $10,000 gift that impacted 12 students.
“Hawaiʻi is experiencing a nursing shortage and ʻOhana Health Plan is committed to investing in our local workforce development,” said Scott Sivik, ʻOhana Health Plan president and chief executive officer. “We are pleased to offer another round of Pre-Nursing Pathway Scholarships at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu to students interested in transforming the health of the community, one person at a time.”
