7 Nursing Students Win Scholarships

After more than two decades in data processing, Anne Johnson-Grim of Oxnard decided she wanted to do something “more in touch with people.”

So at 51, she signed up for nursing school in Woodland Hills. Now she is one of seven Ventura County nursing students honored with scholarships from Kaiser Permanente, the health care conglomerate that runs hospitals and HMOs throughout Southern California.

The corporation has awarded a total of $144,000 in scholarships to 161 registered nursing students throughout the region.

“As part of our commitment to support our communities and to ensure a qualified, well-trained work force, Kaiser Permanente encourages and assists those pursuing careers in nursing,” said Carol Stern, recruitment director for hospitals in Panorama City and Woodland Hills.

Johnson-Grim, who attends Pierce College, received a $1,000 award for academic excellence. All 25 winners in that category had grade-point averages of 3.7 or higher.

Three students at Ventura College--Caryn Dugas, Isabel Marquez and Sharon Brown--received $1,000 scholarships designated specially for students pursuing nursing as a second career. All three live in Ventura.

Three more Ventura County residents received $500 scholarships for programs affiliated with Kaiser Permanente hospitals in Southern California. They are Patricia Andreas of Simi Valley, who attends Pierce College; Kerry Hicks of Oxnard, who attends Ventura College, and Rommeil Felix of Oxnard, who attends Moorpark College.