Local students awarded scholarships by the Dr. Prem Reddy Family Foundation

Several local students are a step closer to achieving their academic goals after they were awarded scholarships by the Dr. Prem Reddy Family Foundation.

Founded by Prime Healthcare CEO Dr. Prem Reddy and his family in 1994, the foundation awarded thousands of dollars in academic scholarships to 64 local students during last week’s scholarship Dinner held at Spring Valley Lake Country Club.

The annual scholarship program is open to all Inland Empire residents who are actively pursuing a career in healthcare. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded over $1.2 million in scholarships

During the ceremony, Dr. Reddy’s daughter and foundation founder Dr. Kavitha Reddy Bhatia said each of the scholarship recipients was being recognized because of their “sincere desire” to give to others.”

“In your own words, ‘you want to do good, serve the under-served, to heal, to ease suffering, to hold the hands of those in pain’ and most fundamentally, ’to make the lives of others better,” Reddy-Bhatia said.

Scholarship recipient Sreynich “Nikki” In, 17, who plans to enter the nursing program at Grand Canyon University and later Loma Linda University School of Medicine, delivered an emotion-filled address that included how she endured years of hardship.

Part of those hardships includes In losing her father when she was 5 years old, emigrating in 2005 from Cambodia with her mother, Sorphorn, enduring racism, recently losing her step-father, and being sexually assaulted.

“I was a hopeless child with a hopeless dream,” said In, who credits her mother, family and friends for inspiring her. “But it’s the hardships that make us strong, that make us all fighters.”

A graduate of Apple Valley High School, In told the Daily Press, “If I can make my dreams come true, then anyone can do it.”

Other scholarship recipients include Danica Brosky, who’ll enter her third year at California Baptist University, where she’ll continue her study in nutrition and dietetics.

“In my pursuit of excellence, I am blessed to have an extraordinary opportunity to advance my career to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist from Texas Wesleyan University,” said scholarship recipient Gerard Gemelga, who plans to graduate in December 2020.

The ceremony also included musical entertainment by Ken Courtney Jazz, and an address by Desert Valley Hospital CEO Fred Hunter, DVH Emergency Services Director Dr. Leroy Pascal, Dean and President California University of Science and Medicine Dr. Paul Lyons; and DVH Business Development and Marketing Director Eddie Hernandez.