HCA HealthONE Sky Ridge awards four student volunteer scholarships

Lone Tree, Colo. —  In its sixth year, HCA HealthONE Sky Ridge awarded $5000 in scholarships to student volunteers based on academic excellence, community involvement and a deep commitment to pursuing a future career in healthcare.

This year, four volunteers, all graduating from Rock Canyon High School in Highlands Ranch with GPAs of 4.0, were honored during a ceremony at Sky Ridge.

"John Penn, Director of Volunteer Services, has created a unique program that provides our student volunteers with an excellent opportunity to learn the depth and breadth of healthcare careers,” said Eric Evans, CEO of HCA HealthONE Sky Ridge. “Through his guidance, mentorship and observation program, our student volunteers have an even greater understanding of what it truly means to be an exceptional healthcare provider.  Sky Ridge is a very special place and we are proud to support such a world-class program such as this.”

Class of 2025 Award Recipients

Natasha Amarnani, Headed to the University of Washington

Natasha has been an active member of the Future Careers program since her freshman year.  Her favorite role was working at the Information Desk: “This role allowed me to have the most interaction with the community.  I enjoyed creating a welcoming environment by providing clear directions, answering questions and offering a reassuring presence.  I was able to develop strong interpersonal and problem solving skills.  It has shown me the importance of connection, empathy and compassion: all of which are traits of a good physician.”

Natasha aspires to be an OB/GYN, but has also been deeply impacted by her trips to India and seeing poverty and many without proper healthcare.  “I want to be part of the solution by providing critical reproductive and maternal healthcare services to women who need them the most, particularly in underserved regions.  I would like to empower women while bridging the gap in medical accessibility and ensure that they receive the quality care they deserve, even when they cannot afford it,” says Amarnani.

Jane Douglass, Accepted to Cal Poly University

Jane has been an active member of our Future Careers program since 8th grade. Her favorite role was volunteering in the ICU.  “I learned valuable skills in communication and empathy through building connections with nurses and patient families.  Connecting with the nurses was the most meaningful aspect of my volunteer experience as it gave me a deeper understanding of patient care and the realities of a career in medicine,” noted Douglass.

Jane is considering Emergency Medicine where she currently volunteers: “My passion for medicine stems from my deep-seated desire to help others, but it grows from my curiosity to understand the biology of the human body.  I aspire to specialize in a field in which I can work closely with patients and continuously learn.  My main interest in healthcare are emergency medicine or perhaps surgery.  Both require critical thinking, adaptability and a commitment to life-long learning.  I can’t think of anything more meaningful or impactful than a career in medicine,” she said.

Medha Kuntamukkla, Off to Brown University

Medha has been a member of our Future Careers program since her freshman year.  Her favorite role was with the Pathology Department.  “I’ve always been interested in research and understanding where diseases originate.  In this role, I organized slides, paperwork and sometimes tissue blocks.  But my favorite part was when I would spend 30 minutes in the ‘gross room.’  There I learned how to dissect different tissues.  On other days I observed tissue samples with the pathologist.  With him, I was able to learn how to identify malignant vs. benign cells,” said Kuntamukka.

“Although it’s early in my journey, I currently see myself pursuing a career as an Interventional Cardiologist.  I have always been fascinated by the heart because of how central it is to life.  I wasn’t sure what specific path I wanted to follow until I had the opportunity to shadow in the Cath Lab.  There I witnessed an interventional cardiologist place two stents.  It was incredible to watch how something so small could have such a dramatic impact on someone’s health.  This especially hit home because my grandfather had to have a stent placed.  With heart disease remaining one of the leading causes of death globally, there will always be a need for skilled and compassionate cardiologists,” she noted.

Erin Weinberg, Headed to Creighton University

Erin has been an active member of our Future Careers program since her freshman year. Her favorite role has been volunteering in the Emergency Department.  “There I was exposed to many challenges that people in my community face. These moments highlight the importance of compassion, as you never know what someone is going through. I enjoy talking with patients while I stock the rooms.  I also learned how important teamwork is in medicine.  Ultimately, I have been extremely inspired by the Emergency Department and its staff to pursue medicine.”

“My future in healthcare is rooted in my passion for science, service and caring for others.  I began volunteering as a freshman and have learned about many medical professions that have helped prepare me for a future career in healthcare.  I want to become a doctor and emulate the same compassion and dedication that I have observed at Sky Ridge.  Looking ahead, I aspire to become an Interventional Radiologist.  I am fascinated by the continuous advancements in technology that enhance patient care and lead to improved health outcomes.  As a future healthcare professional, I will be a compassionate and mindful provider.  Just as I have observed at Sky Ridge, I will take the extra time to explain the procedure and treatment options.  I hope my patients feel valued and understood,” she shared.

HCA HealthONE Sky Ridge, the first hospital to open in Douglas County, is a member of HCA HealthONE - one of the largest and most comprehensive healthcare systems in the Rocky Mountain region, offering more than 170 care sites in the Denver-metro area. HCA HealthONE includes seven acute care hospitals, a dedicated flagship pediatric hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, CareNow® urgent care clinics, mental health campuses, imaging and surgery centers, physician practices, home and hospice care, and AirLife Denver, which provides regional critical care air and ground transportation. HCA HealthONE employs more than 12,000 colleagues and has been named one of the top five large health systems in the country multiple years. HCA HealthONE and its parent company, HCA Healthcare, have been named 15 consecutive times by Ethisphere as a World’s Most Ethical Company and two consecutive years as a LinkedIn Top Company. HCA HealthONE hospitals include: Aurora, Centennial, Mental Health & Wellness, Mountain Ridge, Presbyterian St. Luke’s, Rocky Mountain Children’s, Rose, Sky Ridge, Swedish, and Spalding working together to provide a higher level of care.

Consistently among the Denver Business Journals’ list of top corporate philanthropists in the Denver-metro area, HCA HealthONE was named as one of the most community-minded organizations by The Civic 50 and contributed more than $800K through cash and in-kind donations last year alone, along with more than $471M in federal, state and local taxes.   To learn more about our impact on the communities we serve and how #WeShowUp, visit: HCAHealthONE.com.