Ziona Christy, a first-year nursing student with Oregon Health & Science University’s program on the Southern Oregon University campus, has been selected as one of only 16 students nationwide for the American Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program – the first student in OHSU history to receive the honor.

The program will take place over two weeks in Washington, D.C., where she will work at the American Red Cross national headquarters to gain hands-on experience in humanitarian operations and leadership development. Students selected for the Red Cross course each receive $3,000 a scholarship, along with travel and housing for the program.

Christy’s background in emergency medical services, along with experience working with a local youth program, contributed to her selection by the Red Cross. She has demonstrated a strong commitment to service with several years in high-pressure, patient-centered care, and plans to pursue a career in emergency or critical care nursing.

Following the Red Cross program, she will begin organizing blood drives on campus next fall, aiming to engage fellow students in service and leadership opportunities.

OHSU operates its nursing program at SOU independently from SOU’s academic programming. But nursing students on the Ashland campus are otherwise integrated into SOU campus life, with full access to student dining facilities, the Hannon Library, the Student Recreation Center and climbing center, the Outdoor Program and gear rentals, the La Clinica Student Health & Wellness Center and more. Graduates of the OHSU nursing program also take part in SOU commencement ceremonies.