In a significant show of support for aspiring healthcare professionals, the Dr. Prem Reddy Family Foundation awarded a total of $110,000 in academic scholarships to 85 students on June 12. These students, all studying at the High Desert medical college, are preparing for careers in the health sciences. The awards were presented during a ceremony held in Victorville, California, marking yet another chapter in the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to nurturing the future of healthcare.
The student recipients of this year’s scholarships represented a broad range of backgrounds and ages, ranging from 16 to 54. They included high school seniors looking ahead to college, single parents making the bold move to return to education, and adults transitioning into healthcare from other fields. This diversity reflects both the accessibility of the program and the widespread interest in medical careers. In fact, the Foundation noted a record number of scholarship applications in 2025, underscoring the dual trends of increasing financial need and a growing dedication to healthcare professions.
At the event, Sunitha Reddy, executive director of the Foundation, spoke to the crowd about the importance of both the scholarship program and the people it supports. “This event was more than a celebration of achievement—it was a tribute to the passion and purpose it takes to pursue a calling in healthcare,” she said. She further emphasized the mission of the organization by stating, “These scholars are the reason this Foundation exists.”
She addressed the recipients with encouragement and a reminder of the weight their chosen path carries. “You’ve chosen a path in healthcare, a path that demands knowledge, compassion, and resilience,” she added. “As you care for others, never forget that your journey is part of a greater legacy.”
One of the scholarship recipients, Tiffany Bogan, shared her inspiring personal journey. Born with neonatal abstinence syndrome, she entered the foster care system early in life. Later, she endured the trauma of surviving Hurricane Katrina and coped with deeply personal losses related to addiction. Despite these challenges, she emerged with a powerful sense of purpose. “I’m not here because everything went right—I’m here because I never gave up,” Bogan stated. “I’ve built this future from the ground up, and I plan to use it to serve others as a doctor, shaped by struggle and led by love.”
The keynote address at the ceremony was delivered by Karyl James, chief nursing officer at Desert Valley Hospital. She used her platform to talk about the vital role of resilience and meaning in a healthcare career. “Your path is not just about the destination—it’s about the lives you touch, the lessons you learn, and the growth you experience along the way,” James said, urging students to embrace the challenges that lie ahead as part of their transformative journeys.
The Foundation, established in 1989 by Dr. Prem Reddy, has been a steadfast supporter of aspiring healthcare professionals for more than three decades. Over that time, it has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships to students pursuing careers in healthcare. In addition to its scholarship program, the Foundation is involved in other charitable efforts such as funding public health education initiatives and supporting community clinics that serve under-resourced populations.
This year’s scholarship ceremony not only highlighted the recipients’ determination and promise but also cast a spotlight on the Foundation’s enduring impact on local communities. Many of the students who received scholarships expressed their desire to return to the High Desert region upon completing their education. Their aim is to give back by serving the communities they come from, reinforcing the cycle of care and commitment that the Foundation has helped to foster.
In celebrating the accomplishments of these 85 scholarship recipients, the Dr. Prem Reddy Family Foundation reinforced its core mission: empowering the next generation of healthcare workers who are not only skilled and compassionate but also deeply connected to the communities they will one day serve.