Dr. Prem Reddy Family Foundation awards scholarships to High Desert students with dreams of healthcare careers

The Dr. Prem Reddy Family Foundation recently presented its largest scholarship award donation to 84 High Desert students seeking an education in health sciences.

From students overcoming significant hardships to single mothers pursuing dreams of a healthcare career, each recipient demonstrated academic excellence and a sincere commitment to serving the healthcare needs of their communities, foundation officials said.

“I’m so proud and humbled that our scholarship program has grown each year to reward hard-working and deserving students who want to pursue careers in healthcare,” Dr. Reddy said. “My dream was to be able to give others the opportunities I was given to obtain an education.”

Reddy added that education is the first step for people to gain the knowledge and skills they need to make the world a better place.

During the awards dinner on June 9 at Spring Valley Lake Country Club in Victorville, nursing student Angelina Clinkenbeard shared the tragic story of losing her father suddenly.

Clinkenbeard also shared about her inspiring mother, a registered nurse who she calls a “hero,” and one who stops to help others regularly.    

“She really made an impact on me. She makes a difference,” Clinkenbeard said. “She saves lives. How could I not want to do the same thing? Being a nurse is my only dream.”

The students each shared a portion of a six-figure donation from the foundation to pursue their healthcare career dreams.

Founded in 1989 by Dr. Reddy, Prime, who is the healthcare chairman, president and CEO, the foundation has donated millions of dollars to various charities supporting health education, college scholarships, public healthcare education and free community clinics.

To date, the foundation has awarded more than $1.5 million in academic scholarships to High Desert residents.

Scholarship “outstanding and diverse” student recipients were celebrated by a group of local healthcare and community leaders, including:

• Executive Director Sunitha Reddy of the foundation.
• Foundation Co-founder Dr. Venkamma Reddy.
• Fred Hunter, the CEO of Desert Valley Hospital and Desert Valley Medical Group
• John Morris, RN, Emergency Medicine, Desert Valley Hospital
• Dr. Paul Lyons, dean and president of the California University of Science and Medicine.
• 33rd District Assemblyman Thurston “Smitty” Smith. 
• Victorville Mayor Debra Jones.

“This year’s scholarship recipients have amazing stories of hard work and perseverance,” said Sunitha Reddy. “Each individual was selected for their passion to put others first and a commitment to make lives and our community better. We are grateful for the opportunity to support their dreams and future in medicine.”

More scholarships were awarded this year than in years past. This year’s increase in scholarship applications by students, ranging in ages from 17 to 52, is an indication that more people want to be of service to others through careers in healthcare, foundation officials said.

The High Desert of Southern California is considered a     Health Professional Shortage Area, meaning there is a shortage of primary, dental, or mental healthcare providers.

Many of the scholarship recipients expressed a desire to remain in the High Desert serving their community.

In addition, to address the significant need for physicians in the Inland Empire, Dr. Reddy and the Prime Healthcare Foundation have established one of our state’s newest medical schools, the California University of Science and Medicine in Colton with a more than $60 million donation.

The first MD class of 62 new physicians graduated on May 21, and many of them will be serving their residency and/or have pledged to practice in the Inland Empire.

“We’re seeing a common thread that should be celebrated, a relentless commitment to healthcare and a sincere desire to help others,” Dr. Prem Reddy said. “In the aftermath of this unprecedented global pandemic, healthcare workers continue to be on the front line selflessly caring for patients all around the world.”

For more information about the Dr. Prem Reddy Family Foundation, contact Eddie Hernandez at EddieHernandez@primehealthcare.com.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz