Sixty-four local students recently gathered at Spring Valley Lake Country Club in Victorville, CA to receive scholarships from the Dr. Prem Reddy Family Foundation. The foundation was founded by Dr. Prem Reddy, Prime Healthcare Chairman, President and CEO, and his family in 1994. Since 1994, the foundation has awarded over $1.2 million in academic scholarships. The program is available to all high school and college students living in the High Desert and Inland Empire pursuing a career in healthcare.

Among the list of well-deserving applicants, Sreynich “Nikki” In was the scholarship recipient keynote speaker. Nikki immigrated to America from Cambodia in 2005 with her mother after tragically losing her father, and then recently lost her step-father unexpectedly. Despite challenges and hardship, Nikki graduated from Apple Valley High School and plans to enter the nursing program at Grand Canyon University. Ultimately, Nikki wants to study at Loma Linda University School of Medicine to pursue a career as a Nurse Practitioner. “Dreams are not meant to just be dreams, they’re meant to be lived” said Nikki who credits her mother, family and friends for inspiring her to be where she is today.

During the program, Dr. Kavitha Reddy Bhatia, Dr. Reddy’s daughter, foundation co-founder and senior executive at Prime Healthcare, remarked that despite facing challenges, those receiving awards had a passion to put others before themselves and a sincere desire to make lives better. Dr. Bhatia had the opportunity to review every applicant’s personal story and expressed during the event that she was honored to support their dreams and future in medicine.

Over 200 guests attended the dinner including Dr. Venkamma Reddy and Sunitha Reddy, co-founders of the Dr. Prem Reddy Family Foundation. Honorary speakers included Dr. Leroy Pascal, Desert Valley Hospital Emergency Services Director and Dr. Paul Lyons, Dean and President of the California University of Science and Medicine.

Fred Hunter, CEO of Desert Valley Hospital and Desert Valley Medical Group, also shared words of encouragement that even though there are obstacles in the way, there are ways to overcome them. Mr. Hunter further emphasized “this is why the program exists.”

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