The scholarship was established with a $500,000 gift over five years from Hartford HealthCare to support underrepresented first-year students from Connecticut entering nursing or health sciences undergraduate degree programs at Quinnipiac.

“I am incredibly grateful to Quinnipiac University and Hartford HealthCare for providing me with this opportunity to follow my dream of becoming a nurse,” Ochoa said. “I am truly honored to be the first recipient of this scholarship. As a first-generation student going to college, I’m filled with joy about making my family proud and can’t wait to see where this amazing opportunity takes me.”

Ochoa said she was inspired to become a nurse after her father was seriously injured when the truck he was driving flipped over on a snow-covered road.

“I was 8 or 9 at the time, and I remember spending days at the hospital scared about my dad and later finding peace because of how secure it felt in that environment with all the amazing nurses and doctors,” Ochoa said. “Watching the hardworking nurses who helped take care of him and showed him so much compassion made me realize I wanted to become a nurse.”

The scholarship is renewable for four years provided the recipient continues to meet the requirements. Additionally, recipients will be eligible to participate in a mentorship program with HHC professionals.

“Last year, we announced our commitment to make financial investments in identifying, recruiting and attracting students to Quinnipiac from minority and underrepresented populations through Hartford Healthcare-backed scholarships,” said Hartford HealthCare President and CEO Jeffrey A. Flaks. “Today, we are delivering on that promise. I could not be more proud to offer the first Hartford HealthCare Nursing and Health Sciences Equity Scholarship. This would not be possible without the extraordinary leadership of President Judy Olian. Together, with a shared vision, we are aligned to growing and retaining healthcare professionals in Connecticut while aiming to diversify the workforce.”

Quinnipiac President Judy D. Olian said, “I’m grateful to Jeff Flaks and HHC for establishing the Hartford HealthCare Nursing and Health Sciences Equity Scholarship. It’s a terrific illustration of the power of our partnership — educating the workforce of tomorrow that will serve the insatiable demand for healthcare professionals and the talent needs of the state of Connecticut.”