Tyler Ellyson
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – More than 60 high school seniors will begin their studies at the University of Nebraska at Kearney this fall as members of a prestigious health science program.
Representing communities across the state, the students selected for the Kearney Health Opportunities Program (KHOP) demonstrate both academic excellence and a commitment to serving rural areas as future health care professionals.
“Improving access to health care in rural Nebraska starts with investing in the next generation of providers. Through the KHOP program, we are equipping passionate and dedicated students with the education and support they need to make an impact in the communities that need them the most,” said Peggy Abels, director of UNK Health Sciences.
According to a report from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, more than 80% of the state’s health diagnosing and treating practitioners are based in metropolitan areas, creating an accessibility issue for many rural residents.
The KHOP program was created to help even the playing field.
Launched in 2010, it’s designed to grow the state’s health care workforce by recruiting and training students from rural Nebraska who are committed to practicing in these communities as professionals. The program offers financial assistance, academic support and professional development opportunities, with many participants receiving full-tuition scholarships to attend UNK and guaranteed admission to UNMC.
KHOP members can study in the fields of dental hygiene, dentistry, medical laboratory science, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant and radiography.
Participants also receive a $3,000 room waiver through the KHOP Learning Community. A requirement for freshmen, the one-year residential learning community gives students a chance to explore various health care careers while receiving support and guidance as they transition to college. KHOP members meet with health care providers and tour medical facilities throughout the region, better preparing them for professional school and beyond.
More than 160 students are currently part of KHOP, and the 62 high school seniors accepted for fall 2025 represent the second-largest class in program history. A record-breaking 72 students were admitted last year.
“By growing our own health care workforce, we’re taking an important step toward addressing the provider shortage and strengthening rural health care for years to come,” Abels said. “It’s very encouraging to see such an outstanding group of students who are committed to rural health and making a real difference in their hometowns.”
For more information on the KHOP program, visit unk.edu/khop, call 308-865-8260 or email [email protected].
The following students, listed by hometown, will start the Kearney Health Opportunities Program this fall:
Ashland – Payton Thiele, radiography
Atkinson – Madysen Kramer, medicine
Bellwood – Hannah Gangwish, medicine
Broadwater – Analisia Esparza, nursing
Central City – Madison Chrisman, physician assistant
Columbus – Katelyn Pensick, physician assistant
Columbus – Raya Kluever, physician assistant
Columbus – Caleb Cameron, medicine
Columbus – Cohen Pelan, medicine
Columbus – Connor Wurtz, medicine
Dalton – Katherine Eckhardt, radiography
Daykin – McKenzie Hofstetter, occupational therapy
Doniphan – Brody Eberle, medicine
Elkhorn – Jackson Windeknecht, physician assistant
Ewing – Jaycee Reynolds, pharmacy
Fremont – Allison Reade, radiography
Gothenburg – Madison Bryant, dental hygiene
Gothenburg – Claire Vincent, physical therapy
Grand Island – Alyssa Cornelius, medicine
Grand Island – Maggie Herbek, dental hygiene
Grand Island – Kyle Kelly, dentistry
Grand Island – Addysen Waind, dentistry
Grant – Mason McGreer, nursing
Gretna – Addison Schuka, occupational therapy
Gretna – Megan Miller, pharmacy
Gretna – Ashlyn Oetting, pharmacy
Gurley – Lila McLaughlin, dental hygiene
Hastings – Lauren Thompson, pharmacy
Hebron – Lukas Kroll, pharmacy
Hildreth – Cara Bunger, physical therapy
Hordville – Elizabeth Rutherford, physical therapy
Juniata – Kaleb Wahlmeier, dentistry
Kearney – Alex Teichmeier, physician assistant
Kearney – Maya Moxley, physician assistant
Kearney – Ava Moore, medicine
Kearney – Evan Shaffer, medicine
Kearney – Macy Ringlein, radiography
Kenesaw – Caden Jameson, physical therapy
Milford – Avery Roth, nursing
Mitchell – Evelyn Morales, nursing
Norfolk – Kali Preister, physician assistant
North Platte – Jaycee Lehr, radiography
Ogallala – Avery Lowther, medicine
Phillips – Owen Luebbe, medicine
Red Cloud – Tate Kosse, pharmacy
Rockville – Hope McDonald, dentistry
St. Edward – Rebekah Ketelsen, nursing
St. Paul – Norah Paulsen, medicine
St. Paul – Brecken Kavan, dentistry
Seward – Tessa Greisen, nursing
Seward – Makayla Mumaugh, medicine
Seward – Eastyn Oberhauser, dentistry
Stromsburg – Wyatt Hengelfelt, medicine
Stuart – Addisyn Ketteler, medicine
Stuart – Makenna Schaaf, physical therapy
Trenton – Jill McArthur, radiography
Upland – Katelyn Bunger, nursing
Wahoo – William Sassaman, physician assistant
West Point – Mia Hunke, nursing
Wilber – Addison Combs, dental hygiene
York – McKenzie Linder, nursing
Yutan – Amelia Dieckman, occupational therapy