CQCH Foundation Scholarship Ceremony Awardees

By Leah Berard - The Bisbee Observer

The annual Copper Queen Community Hospital Foundation scholarships were awarded last week, May 27, to eight Cochise County-based recipients. The ceremony took place at Copper Queen Community Hospital (CQCH), with board and family members in attendance alongside the scholarship winners.

There are two different scholarships available for current and future college students to apply for, which include the James J. Dickson Scholarship and the CQCH Foundation Scholarship.

Under each scholarship, there are four recipients chosen – for a total of eight handed out every year. The James J. Dickson Scholarship awards each student $1,250 per year during their studies. Applicants do not need to be an employee at CQCH or affiliated in any way.

Three of the scholarships are awarded to students pursuing healthcare studies. The other one is awarded to a student pursuing a degree in business administration, finance, maintenance, culinary arts, information technology or any field of study related to healthcare – not for nursing students. Applicants must be enrolled at or plan to enroll at Cochise College.

This year’s recipients were Dominic Andrade Corella, Carmen Pacheco, Samantha Nieblas and Jaylene Bustamante. Corella plans to pursue a career as a firefighter/EMT, Pacheco is pursuing a career in dental hygiene, Nieblas is working toward being an ultrasound technician and Jaylene is enrolled in a dual-credit Medical Assistant program at Cochise College and plans to complete her certification after graduation.

The other scholarship, the CQCH Foundation Scholarship, is awarded to four local students planning careers in healthcare. Each student is awarded $2,500 that can be used at the academic institution of their choice.

This year’s recipients were Yasmin Morales, Jesus Melendrez, Yanitza Trevizo and Christopher Tovar. Morales will begin the Arizona Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program this year. Melendrez is a nursing student and aspiring Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) who started his healthcare journey at CQCH.

Trevizo is pursuing a degree in health sciences at Northern Arizona University. Tovar is currently a Licensed Practical Nurse at CQCH, as well as working to become a Registered Nurse and earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Those on the committee responsible for selecting who receives the scholarships include Danielle Bouchever, CQCH Foundation board secretary, Pam Drake DVM, CQCH Foundation board member, and Bethany Hill, DNP, MHA, RN, dean of nursing and allied health at Cochise College and CQCH Foundation board member.

“We encourage all students pursuing healthcare or related careers to apply — even those who may not see themselves as top academic performers,” said Nathalie O’Shea, public relations & development manager at CQCH. “Not everyone thrives in high school, and we believe everyone deserves the chance to grow and shine.”