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Category: Community News Community News
Published: 16 May 2017 16 May 2017

Nikki Bascom Scholarship RSSilver City, NM - Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) awarded an $2,500 annual scholarship to Jesse Jimenez, a recent Western New Mexico University (WNMU) School of Nursing graduate, at their May 2017 ceremony. Jimenez was selected as the inaugural recipient of the annual Hidalgo Medical Services Nikki Bascom Nursing Scholarship.

The scholarship was established by the HMS Board of Directors this year in honor of Nikki Bascom, RN. Bascom graduated from the nursing program at WNMU in 2009. Bascom was held in the highest regard at HMS and within Hidalgo and Grant counties for her professionalism, leadership, and the quality of care that she gave to all patients and the community. Bascom served as HMS Director of Nursing, prior to her passing in April 2016.

HMS will be awarding this scholarship to a recipient from either Hidalgo or Grant County from each WNMU School of Nursing graduating class. Scholarship awards will be based on academic merit and personal commitment to serving southwestern New Mexico. "On behalf of the WNMU School of Nursing, we are very grateful for this partnership with HMS," stated John Scarbrough, WNMU School of Nursing Associate Dean. Scarbrough added, "The scholarship helps to fulfill the mission of the WNMU School of Nursing, which is to promote health and improve the quality of life for diverse populations by providing nursing education which instills the values of community, nursing scholarship, practice and community service."

"As a healthcare leader in Grant County, HMS is fortunate to have the ability to honor the memory of Ms. Bascom with this scholarship," stated Darrick Nelson, MD, HMS Chief Medical Officer and HMS Family Medicine Residency Program Director. "We took great care to select a recipient that we felt embodied Nikki's compassion, tenacity, and work ethic. The WNMU School of Nursing has a history of helping supply our region with a competent and caring Nursing workforce, and HMS is proud to help support this effort, while remembering the spirit of Nikki Bascom, RN," added Nelson.

"Nikki was an incredible individual who was loved by everyone at HMS, and we miss her dearly," stated Dan Otero, HMS Chief Executive Officer. Otero added, "The HMS Board of Directors, in support of HMS employees and leadership, appreciates this opportunity with the WNMU School of Nursing to honor Nikki's memory and to inspire our community."

Please visit www.hmsnm.org to learn more about HMS services, providers, and locations. Please visit www.wnmu.edu to learn more about WNMU degree programs, services, and resources.