More than 60 high school seniors have been selected to join the Kearney Health Opportunities Program (KHOP) at the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) this fall. The program aims to address the ongoing shortage of health care providers in rural Nebraska, with these students set to embark on their academic journeys focused on serving medically underserved areas.
The incoming cohort, consisting of 67 students from communities ranging from the Panhandle to the Missouri River, was chosen based on their academic accomplishments, leadership potential, and commitment to pursuing careers in health care. Peggy Abels, director of UNK Health Sciences, emphasized the significance of their selection. “These students represent the future of health care in Nebraska,” she stated. “The work they begin at UNK will have a ripple effect across the state, expanding access to care, strengthening local health systems, and ultimately improving the quality of life for countless Nebraskans.”
Addressing Health Care Disparities
According to data from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, over 80% of the state’s health diagnosing and treating practitioners are concentrated in metropolitan areas. This disparity leaves much of Nebraska designated as medically underserved. Programs like KHOP aim to rectify this imbalance by recruiting and supporting students from rural communities throughout their professional training.
Established in 2010, KHOP provides a comprehensive support system for students pursuing careers in 12 different health professions, including dental hygiene, medicine, nursing, and pharmacy. Many participants receive full-tuition scholarships for their studies at UNK, along with guaranteed admission to the University of Nebraska Medical Center upon successful completion of program requirements. This model reflects a collaborative commitment between UNK and UNMC to educate health care providers closer to the communities they will serve.
Structured Support and Community Engagement
Students in the KHOP program benefit from the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex, allowing them to complete both undergraduate and professional training in Kearney. This proximity fosters early exposure to health careers through community engagement, structured academic support, and connections with health care providers.
As part of the KHOP Learning Community, first-year participants live together, which enhances their collaborative learning experience. They engage in activities such as meeting health care professionals, touring medical facilities, and building networks that prepare them for future careers. Each member of the KHOP Learning Community is also awarded a $2,000 scholarship during their first year.
Currently, more than 170 students are enrolled in the KHOP program, making the 67 high school seniors accepted for fall 2026 the second-largest class in the program’s history. Abels remarked, “The continued interest in KHOP shows that students across Nebraska are ready to step up and address the health care challenges facing our state. We’re excited to welcome these outstanding individuals into our community and look forward to supporting them as they prepare to make a meaningful impact in the years ahead.”
For more information about the Kearney Health Opportunities Program, interested individuals can visit unk.edu/khop, call 308-865-8260, or email [email protected].
The following students have been accepted into the Kearney Health Opportunities Program this fall, listed by hometown:
Alliance – Makenna Quick, physical therapy; Arcadia – Jillian Hurlburt, radiography; Ashby – Evan Merrihew, pharmacy; Atkinson – Pavan Larson, nursing; Aurora – Madelyn Ramaekers, physician assistant; Beatrice – Natalie Parde, dentistry; Bennet – Ryan Mayo, dentistry; Blair – Declan McCabe, medicine; and many more.
This initiative is a vital step forward in nurturing the next generation of health care professionals dedicated to improving health outcomes across Nebraska.
