CHADRON – Local students have been chosen for the Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP) at Chadron State College.
The local students are Peyton Hofmann of Polk (medicine), Cannen Mooney of Benedict (medicine), Sydney Hengelfelt of Stromsburg (physical therapy) and Luke Hoffschneider of Waco (physician assistant).
Students selected as participants in the program are awarded full-tuition scholarships and prioritized admission to their respective programs at the University of Nebraska Medical Center while students selected as alternates are offered other scholarships. All students are provided with specialized professional development opportunities with UNMC and additional mentoring.
Dr. Joyce Hardy, a professor of biology who has been on the faculty since the fall of 1991, said the students who interviewed this year were outstanding.
“We interviewed a phenomenal group of students. They have the ability, commitment, and passion for where they’re going. They bring the energy and enthusiasm to do the necessary work,” she said. “When our students come in with that attitude, they will thrive. That’s what we’re looking for. We want students who are dedicated and engaged in a collaborative learning process. We provide an environment where they can gain the skills, knowledge, and abilities they need to reach their goals. This new cohort will fit well with our current student body of both RHOP and traditional pathway students.”
Students who successfully complete their pre-professional education at CSC advance to UNMC. Founded in 1989, RHOP is a collaborative program between Chadron State College and UNMC. After earning their professional degrees, RHOP participants are expected and encouraged to return to rural Nebraska to provide health care.
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