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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ..................................................... September 28, 2020

Photo Caption: The Fall 2020 Martin Masar Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Selene Santana this past week. From l-r: Carole McVicker, Behavioral Health Administrator at Ryon Medical; Selene Santana, OJC nursing student; and Kevin Harsh, CEO of Ryon Medical.

Selene Santana Awarded Martin Masar Memorial Scholarship

LA JUNTA — The Martin Masar Memorial Scholarship was created to honor the memory of Martin Masar who founded Ryon Medical, an Integrated Health Care Practice, in La Junta. This scholarship is for students who are pursuing the full 2-year RN nursing program at Otero Junior College. It is awarded each semester and is renewable for the second year as long as the student maintains a 3.0 GPA and continues in the nursing program. The scholarships pays for all tuition costs. For the Fall 2020 Semester, Selene Santana was selected to receive this scholarship.

Selene Santana was born in Eagle Pass, Texas but grew up in Manzanola, Colo. and graduated high school from there in 2019. She has a large family that mostly resides in Manzanola and around the lower Arkansas Valley.

Santana is a first year nursing student and plans to obtain her Registered Nurse (RN) License from Otero Junior College. After that, her goal will be to continue her schooling and pursue a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN). In 2018, she completed the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program. Her specific interest is in mental health nursing and pediatrics.

Although Santana does not have much free time, as she is constantly studying, she makes time to go for walks and hikes. Some of her favorite places to visit are Ouray and Telluride. Santana also enjoys painting and drawing.

Santana stated, “I would like to express how honored and thankful I am to be selected as the recipient of the Martin Masar Memorial Scholarship. I will work very hard to meet my goal of becoming a nurse to help others.”

Ryon Medical’s Behavioral Health Administrator, Carole McVicker, and CEO, Kevin Harsh came to the OJC Campus to present Santana with the scholarship.

Harsh stated, “The selection committee was looking for a worthy student to receive the Martin Masar Memorial Scholarship. Someone who will stay in the area and help in the local health care field. Selene fit all the criteria. What made her application stand out was her true desire and dedication to the nursing profession. She has a strong passion for it.”

The funds for the scholarship were donated by Ryon Medical. The requirements to receive the scholarship are:

1. Student must be from the Lower Arkansas Valley

2. Student must be pursuing an RN Degree at OJC

3. Student must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher

4. Pre-requisites must be completed and accepted into the nursing program at Otero Junior College.

Martin Masar lost his battle with cancer in October of 2019. His passion was in the mental health arena, specifically concerning youth. His philosophies and ideas have influenced many professionals throughout the nation. Masar was a man of great integrity, compassion, and happiness.

For more information about Ryon Medical you can visit, https://ryonmedical.com. For more information on OJC Scholarships please visit, https://www.ojc.edu/futurestudents/financialaid/scholarships.aspx.