The New River Valley Health Foundation has created a new scholarship fund for local Radford University students who aspire to enter the healthcare field in the New River Valley. The New River Valley Health Foundation, Inc. Health Professions Scholarship Fund will serve students in the College of Nursing and Waldron College of Health and Human Services, as well as those in the Foods and Nutrition and Medical Laboratory Sciences programs at Radford.

“Gifts such as this are extremely important for our students. Without scholarship and grant assistance, many of our local first-generation students would not be able to pursue a rewarding career in healthcare,” said Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program director and assistant professor, Laura Link. “Since many of these students stay in the area after graduation, they immediately begin to make an impact on the community by providing quality healthcare for our patients. We have graduates in every healthcare facility in the NRV, including the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Virginia Tech.”

The Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) program prepares students to perform and interpret tests, make treatment recommendations, and deliver quality data in medical, research, veterinary and reference laboratories. At Radford, MLS graduates have maintained a 100% job placement rate since 2010. The need for laboratorians continues to grow, making support for these students vital.

“I think [supporting future healthcare professionals] is one of the most worthwhile endeavors a foundation can pursue,” said Link. “Every single person is touched by our profession. When a person learns that they are going to become a parent, when a child is sick, when a ball player is injured, when your pet has a tick bite – the clinical laboratory can provide information to the patient, family and healthcare team that will answer questions and provide guidance to determine the appropriate care. We are proud of our graduates and the work that they do. The New River Valley Health Foundation helps us help them get ready, and we are grateful for that.”

Established in 1984, the New River Valley Health Foundation focuses on promoting and fostering the development of community health activities for charitable and educational purposes in the New River Valley. The foundation has generously supported many Radford scholarships, funds and initiatives over the years, giving more than $2.1 million in total. Their commitment has made a tremendous impact on Radford students and the community at large.

Fred Newhouse, Jr., chairman of the New River Valley Health Foundation board, is passionate about supporting local students and empowering them to serve their communities after graduation. “Part of the rationale behind the establishment of the foundation was to improve and enhance the health education opportunities in western Virginia,” said Newhouse.

He has observed the impact of these efforts firsthand. “It’s truly a blessing to experience these young people in their careers in the medical field as a resident, as a donor and as a patient. It’s a beautiful thing to see these foundation scholarships [come full] circle – to be a recipient of the care.”