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Avera Resources for Careers in Health Programs

Investing in the FUTURE of Health Care

ARCH

South Dakota State University senior Shawna Reinesch is a nursing student with a future. She knows there is something special about caring for life and that’s what she will be doing when she graduates. That is because Shawna is the recipient of the ARCH Scholarship.  As an ARCH recipient, Shawna is eligible to receive up to $2,500 per semester to assist with academic expenses and secure a position upon graduation at the same time. The ARCH Scholarship is an innovative approach to financial assistance that links scholarship money with work opportunities for students and employees majoring in certain healthcare disciplines.

For each academic semester you accept funding in the form of an ARCH Scholarship, you are required to sign a contractual agreement stating that you will work for the Avera facility for six months after graduating. In some facilities, you may also pursue part-time employment and receive additional education assistance opportunities to supplement academic expenses.

Employees and students who leave school or choose to work elsewhere will simply repay the scholarship as a loan. If positions are not available upon graduation with either the Avera regional facility or other Avera entities, the repayment provision will be waived.

The ARCH Scholarship provides financial assistance for the following targeted areas:

  • Registered nurse – four-year program
  • Registered nurse – two-year program
  • Other programs as designated by the Avera facility

Funds approved for financial assistance under the ARCH Scholarship are paid directly to the educational institution or its foundation on behalf of the student to assist with academic expenses.

Requirements of the Student

Applicant must be a current Avera employee or student enrolled in a qualified program.

Application for funding can be made by current employees enrolling in qualified programs and by students enrolled in the final two years of a four-year degree program, the second year of a two-year program, or other designated program.

Students must attain and maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0.

To Apply

Complete the application and narrative questions and return with:

  • Letter of recommendation from a teacher or advisor
  • Letter from an advisor stating student’s current academic status
  • Copy of recent semester transcript

Application materials can be obtained on-line or by writing to the Avera regional center nearest you.

Applications are due June 30 each year to be considered for the following academic year. ARCH Scholarships are awarded in mid-July.

LEADERS

Leadership is the God-given talent to work well with others, create a vision and bring that vision to life for the good of all. Avera has been blessed with dedicated leaders who saw the vision of providing a quality, cost-effective health ministry that reflects Gospel values. The Avera Health Foundation has created the Avera Leaders Scholarship to nurture the next generation of leaders to share this vision.

The Avera Leaders Scholarship is dedicated to and provided in appreciation for a lifetime of leadership in health care by Sister Colman Coakley, Sister Stephen Davis, Sister Rosaria Kranz, Sister Blanche Kribell and Don Bierle, Esquire. A total of three $2,000 scholarships are awarded annually.

Requirements of the Student

Applicant must be an Avera employee, or spouse or child of an Avera employee.

Recipients must be high school graduates with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on a four-point scale, and pursuing undergraduate degree work in a healthcare related field.

To Apply

Complete the application and return with:

  • A 500-word essay about why the applicant wishes to pursue a healthcare career.
  • Letters of recommendation from two co-workers/co-volunteers.
  • Letters of recommendation from two teachers or advisors (Letters of recommendation should be confidential and mailed directly to the Avera Health Foundation).

Application materials can be obtained on-line or by writing to:

Avera Leaders Scholarship
Avera Health Foundation
3900 West Avera Drive
Sioux Falls, SD 57108

Applications are due May 14 each year to be considered for the following academic year. Decisions are made by the end of June.

OTHER AVERA RESOURCES FOR CAREERS IN HEALTH PROGRAMS

Avera supports lifelong learning and provides financial assistance for continuing education. We believe each employee deserves continuing educational oppor-tunities that help to develop competence in a current position, open pathways for growth, and nurture the future leadership of our organization.

  • Employee tuition reimbursement programs pay all or a portion of educational expenses for courses completed during your employment at an Avera facility. Consult your human resources department to determine eligibility based on length of employment, course of study, and other requirements.
  • Employee scholarship programs are available at many Avera facilities through specific gifts. The human resources department in your facility can provide detailed information about availability and eligibility.
  • Facility-specific employee educational loan programs are offered to full-time or part-time students enrolled in or officially accepted by an accredited educa-tional program. The scope and stipulations for such loans vary from facility to facility, so check with your human resources department to find out if you qualify. In general, qualifying employees are allowed a maximum dollar entitlement at a given rate of interest, both determined during the Avera budget process. If you remain employed by Avera after the completion of your education, the loan is cancelled at a monthly rate. If you choose to work elsewhere, the unforgiven portion of the educational loan and all accumulated interest is due and payable within 30 days of cessation of employment. For
    more information and specific stipulations, contact the human resources department at your Avera facility.

The Avera region needs more qualified people in healthcare related fields. To seek out young talent, reward initiative, and encourage students to pursue these fields, Avera is investing in education. At Avera we believe that investing in you is an investment in the future of health care. Your interest, motivation, potential, and desire to care for life should determine your career path, not finances. If you want a future where you can make a positive impact in the lives and health of others, we are committed to helping you make it happen.

For information on Avera Careers Financial Assistance, contact Human Resources at the Avera regional center nearest you:

  • Avera St. Luke’s
    305 South State Street
    Aberdeen, South Dakota 57401
    605-622-5000
    Email: tracy.olson@averastlukes.org
  • Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center
    300 South Bruce Street
    Marshall, Minnesota 56258
    507-532-9661
    comrel@wmmc.org
  • Avera Queen of Peace
    525 North Foster
    Mitchell, South Dakota 57301
    605-995-2000
    E-mail: rita.lemon@averaqueenofpeace.org
  • Avera McKennan
    800 East 21st Street
    PO Box 5045
    Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57105
    605-322-8000
    Email: hr@mckennan.org
  • Avera Sacred Heart
    501 Summit
    Yankton, South Dakota 57078
    605-668-8000
    Email: jmiller@SHHServices.com