Kjersti Varhus
Kjersti Varhus, a 2010 graduate of Salida High School, is this year’s HRRMC Auxiliary scholarship winner. The Auxiliary awards the $3,000 college scholarship annually to a high school senior planning to pursue a career in healthcare. The $750 annual scholarship is renewed each of four years, pending the student’s academic standing.
In her application letter, Varhus wrote “Medicine and the human body fascinate me immensely with all its abilities and functions, and I am enthused to continue learning about all it does for the rest of my life.” She plans to major in biomedical sciences at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
Varhus grew up in her mother’s veterinary clinic and notes her mother’s work reflects her passion and love for animals as she hopes her work will reflect her passion for helping people. “I plan on working in an emergency room,” she said, “because I like the fast-paced work, the variety it offers and the quick decision making it forces upon you.”
In addition to her high academic standing, Varhus participated in track, swimming, cross country and basketball in high school as well as Future Business Leaders, National Honor Society, student council, honor band and key club.
The HRRMC Auxiliary first awarded the scholarship in 1967, and Auxiliary President Tina Giles noted that previous winners have gone on and done great things. Past recipients include cancer researcher Greg Ogilvie, Dr. Tim Sandell, HRRMC Rehabilitaion Department Manager Desirae Westphal, and Keith Eggleston, co-director of the Colorado Rural Health Scholars program and a second-year medical student at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
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