Providing Nursing Scholarships To Support An Ethnically Diverse Workforce
Billi Odegaard’s legacy of compassion, innovation, and leadership continues to guide efforts to strengthen community health today. Inspired by her lifelong commitment to equity and nursing excellence, the Billi Odegaard Nursing Scholarship supports nurses and future leaders from underrepresented communities—honoring her vision of opportunity, education, and care for all.
Why is it so essential to educate clinicians from Oregon’s ethnically diverse communities?
All Oregonians deserve and should receive the best care possible. Those from ethnic minority communities typically face daunting barriers to standard care; often for cultural, language, economic, emotional, and/or social reasons. Considerable research has confirmed that health care is more effective, safer, less expensive, and more satisfactory when those providing the care are members of the same community receiving care. They understand and can be trusted to do the right and appropriate thing.
Scholarship Overview
The Billi Odegaard Scholarship Fund honors public health leader Billi Odegaard by supporting ethnically diverse students pursuing nursing careers. The fund offers a full-ride scholarship—covering tuition, housing, books, and all fees—for students accepted into the Clackamas Community College (CCC) Nursing Program, with continued funding to complete a BSN at OHSU. Scholars also receive guidance from a dedicated mentorship board of healthcare professionals.
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Identify as part of an ethnically diverse group underrepresented in nursing.
Be Oregon residents eligible for in-state tuition.
Have a minimum 3.0 GPA and be ready to apply to CCC’s Nursing Program.
Submit an application, essay, and two recommendations by March 31.
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Semi-finalists complete an interview with the mentorship board, which evaluates academic readiness, community commitment, and leadership potential. Final selections are announced by May 15.
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Recipients receive:
Full financial coverage through CCC and OHSU.
Ongoing mentorship and professional development.
Access to the Billi Odegaard Alumni Network promoting equity in healthcare.
Current and Past Scholarship Recipients
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2025/2026 Scholarship Recipients
Maryana Lazurko, Kalsang Choedhan, and Ellie Cao
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2024/2025 Scholarship Recipients
Elza Hart, LaShonda Bradley, and Candace Pugh
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2023/2024 Scholarship Recipients
Viviana Zurita, Daniel Peraza Garzon, and Tania Mendoza
