The NARHC Research and Education Foundation Announces Fall 2025 Quest for Rural Experience Scholars
Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs, NARHC
About NARHC REF
The National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) established the NARHC Research and Education Foundation (NARHC REF) in 2021 to fund and publicize Rural Health Clinic specific research while awarding scholarships to promote medical, Physician Assistant/Associate, and Nurse Practitioner students pursuing clinical rotations in federally certified Rural Health Clinics.
NARHC REF Fall 2025 Scholarship Recipients
The National Association of Rural Health Clinics Research and Education Foundation is proud to announce its fall 2025 recipients of the Quest for Rural Experience scholarship program. We are grateful for these students’ commitment to rural health!
Hailey Kraft | University of Nevada, Reno
Hailey Kraft will be completing her fall PA rotation at The Eureka Clinic in Nevada. Hailey shared what inspired her to advance the future of rural health – “While preparing for PA school, I worked as a medical assistant in an outpatient ENT specialty clinic, where I often heard stories from patients who drove hours from rural Nevada and California for appointments lasting less than 20 minutes. Their dedication to taking charge of their health was both inspiring and a stark reminder of the need to expand access to care.”
Tony Chevalier, RN | Northwestern State University 
Tony Chevalier will be completing his fall NP rotation at Rayville Family Clinic in Louisiana. “I am applying for the Quest for Rural Experience scholarship because I am passionate about serving underserved and rural populations, and I believe that immersive, hands-on training in a rural health setting is essential to becoming an effective Family Nurse Practitioner in those communities,” shared Tony.
Kristen Peterson, MAT, ATC | University of Kentucky
Kristen Petersen will be completing her fall PA rotation at Rockcastle Pediatrics and Adolescents in Kentucky. Kristen shared that her experience growing up in rural KY has “instilled the desire to change and improve healthcare in rural settings so communities have the resources and care they need to thrive,” with a particular focus on extending specialty care access into rural communities.
NARHC REF and United Health Foundation 2025 Scholars
The NARHC Research and Education Foundation is grateful for the opportunity to partner with the United Health Foundation, established by UnitedHealth Group in 1999 as a nonprofit, private foundation, to offer two additional Quest for Rural Experience scholarships this fall. Through the Health Care Scholars United program, the United Health Foundation is providing scholarships and support to current and future health care professionals. We are pleased to announce that this semester’s scholars are:
Annie Gatzke, RN | North Dakota State University 
Annie Gatzke will be completing her fall NP rotation at Sanford Health Ulen Clinic in Minnesota. “I believe primary care is the foundation of a healthy community, and NPs play a crucial role in filling the gaps in access and education,” shared Annie, whose roots in rural health and nursing have given her “purpose, perspective, and resilience.”
Kenady Hall | Texas Tech Health Sciences Center
Kenady Hall will be completing her fall PA rotation at Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital Rural Health Clinic in Texas. Kenady shared that she was inspired to return to her hometown to begin clinical rotations because “quality care shouldn’t be a privilege based on zip code,” but instead is about “building trust, addressing barriers, and advocating for patients.”
How to support NARHC REF
NARHC REF will continue to fund scholarship recipients in spring 2026 and beyond. To apply or to donate to this mission visit https://www.narhc.org/narhc/Research__Education_Foundation.asp.
Our ability to increase the size of the scholarship program, thus increasing our opportunities to support the future rural health workforce are dependent on your support!
Your donation to NARHC REF is important to advancing the mission of improving access to quality healthcare in rural communities through research and education. As NARHC REF continues to provide financial support to medical, PA, Nurse Practitioner, and other health professional students pursuing clinical rotations in federally certified Rural Health Clinics, your donation will make a difference.
With any questions or to learn more about REF, please email NARHC REF Executive Director, Sarah Hohman, at Sarah.Hohman@narhc.org.
