Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital Foundation Awards Healthcare Scholarships to Eleven Local Residents

Advancing Our Local Healthcare Workforce of Tomorrow

Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital Foundation (SYVCHF) awarded eleven healthcare scholarships, totaling $33,000, to Santa Ynez Valley residents entering or enrolled in a medical health-related field of study and who are committed to pursuing careers in our community. These scholarships help offset the increasing costs of a college education and can be used to pay for tuition, books and other educational expenditures.

“Hospitals, especially rural community hospitals, are experiencing shortages of nurses, technicians and other essential clinical staff,” said Katie Gorndt, Vice President and Nursing Director at Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital (SYVCH). “These scholarships are one more valuable tool we can use to attract and retain a quality clinical staff to serve our community.”

The 2023 scholarship recipients were announced and celebrated at SYVCHF’s Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon held at the Elverhøj Museum of History and Art on August 23. As part of the event, 2022 scholarship recipient Bradley Wick, who recently completed his Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Chamberland University and plans to return to SYVCH, spoke about how SYVCHF scholarship support provided invaluable assistance.

The scholarship program was established in 2021. The first fund, the Auxiliary Honorary Scholarship Fund, honors the legacy of the founding hospital volunteer core created 61 years ago, and now is part of the Cottage Health Volunteer Services. Since then, three additional philanthropic funds have been added thanks to generous community support.

“Community engagement plays a vital role in helping Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital to be one of the best rural hospitals in the country,” said Judith Dale, SYVCHF President. “These scholarships are one more way we help advance our local healthcare workforce of tomorrow.”

Named scholarships and this year’s scholarship recipients, including six recent high school graduates and five continuing education adults, are:

Ann Bertero Scholarship Fund (est. 2018)

Gabriela Rodriguez – A 2023 graduate of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, she is attending
Westmont College to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Jean Pack Scholarship Fund (est. 2019)

Arisa Waters – A 2020 graduate of Dunn School, she is a third-year psychology major at UCLA. Arisa has already completed an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) program and plans to pursue a career in clinical psychology as a healthcare provider.

Ken and Lloyd Mills Family Endowed Scholarship Fund (est. 2022)

Jose Padilla Martinez – A Buellton resident, he attends Santa Barbara City College and is enrolled in the Medical Imaging Program to become a Radiological Technician.

Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital Foundation Auxiliary Honorary Scholarship Fund (est. 2021)

Diana Corona – A 2023 graduate of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, she is attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo enrolled as pre-med student with the goal of becoming a surgeon.

Daniel Kozlov – A 2022 graduate of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, he is first-year neuroscience student at UCLA and plans to become a neurosurgeon. At the same time, he is enrolled in an EMT program to become an Emergency Medical Technician and is also working in a UCLA lab studying Parkinson’s disease.

Allison Linane – A 2023 graduate of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, she is attending the University of San Diego enrolled as a biology student with the goal of either becoming a nurse or physician.

Sofia Monsalud – A 2023 graduate of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School and is attending Cal State Long Beach as a psychology study and plans to pursue a career in this health field. Jazmin Gonzalez Salinas – A 2023 graduate of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, she is attending Westmont College to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and plans to continue her education to become a Nurse Practitioner.

Jessica Perez – She has worked at SYVCH for the past twelve years as an Emergency Technician and has also worked at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. She is attending Santa Barbara City College and is enrolled in the Medical Imaging Program to become a Radiological Technician.

Gabe Prendergast – A 2022 graduate of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, he is attending University of San Diego to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and plans to continue his education to become a Nurse Practitioner.

Chase Sylvia – A 2023 graduate of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, he is attending California State University Long Beach, majoring in kinesiology and exercise science with a goal of becoming a physical therapist.

Earlier this spring, SYVCHF raised nearly $20,000 at Vintage Vogue Valley Fashion Show and Brunch, with more than 100 people in attendance. Proceeds from the event benefitted the SYVCH’s scholarship program.

Up next, SYVCHF’s annual Harvest Gala will be held on October 28 at Craft House at Hotel Corque Ballroom. Proceeds will benefit the Patient Care Fund. To learn more and become a sponsor visit cottagehealth.org/harvestgala.