Cherokee Nation Foundation awards behavioral health scholarships

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - Cherokee Nation Foundation, which recently awarded nine nursing and allied health scholarships, awarded an additional five scholarships to students pursuing degrees in behavioral health.

The Cherokee Nation Behavioral Health Scholarship is supported by a permanent $5 million endowment established through the Public Health and Wellness Fund Act, proposed by Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner.

"We worked hand in hand with the Council of the Cherokee Nation to enact the Public Health and Wellness Fund Act, fueled by the Nation's $100 million opioid settlement," Chief Hoskin said. "Along with in-house treatment facilities, this program helps close the loop on a continuum of health services for Cherokee families.

"Importantly, this scholarship is about more than equipping a health care workforce with education and career skills. Deputy Warner and I want to encourage any Cherokee helping other Cherokees, and this scholarship does just that."

Behavioral health scholarship recipients agree to work within the Cherokee Nation to match the duration of the scholarship received or a minimum of one year.

"These health scholarships - each established as permanent, $5 million endowments - have been incredibly popular and competitive," said Janice Randall, Cherokee Nation Foundation executive director. "By design, they help Cherokee students achieve their educational goals while also laying a path to employment near home. They are the gold standard for scholarships and an incredible win-win opportunity for our awardees and the tribe."

Receiving the 2026 Cherokee Nation Behavioral Health Scholarship awards are:

• Vivian Bunch
• Tiphanie Deitz
• Malley Knight
• Holly McBride
• Kimberly-Mae Stroman

Visit CherokeeNationFoundation.org for more information.