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.

Learn more about Billi

Better Care Starts with Clinicians Who Reflect Our Communities

All Oregonians deserve care that works for them. Clinicians from ethnically diverse communities help make that possible:

  • Enhancing understanding: Meeting patients where they are

  • Building trust: Creating stronger connections with communities

  • Improving care: Providing thoughtful, personalized support

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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.

  • 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.

    • 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.

  • 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.

Click here to start your application

Current and Past Scholarship Recipients

  • 2025/2026 Scholarship Recipients

    Maryana Lazurko, Kalsang Choedhan, and Ellie Cao

  • 2024/2025 Scholarship Recipients

    Elza Hart, LaShonda Bradley, and Candace Pugh

  • 2023/2024 Scholarship Recipients

    Viviana Zurita, Daniel Peraza Garzon, Tania Mendoza

Meet Current and Past Recipients
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