Night to Remember: Celebrating Excellence at High Sierra AHEC

On a night filled with inspiration, pride, and community spirit, the High Sierra AHEC hosted its first annual Night of Excellence Award Ceremony—a heartfelt celebration of the students, partners, and supporters who breathe life into our mission.

We gathered together to honor the incredible achievements of our ARPA Scholarship recipients, a group of driven, passionate individuals who represent the future of healthcare. We also proudly recognized our senior Student Ambassadors, who have spent their time at UNR going above and beyond to serve their peers and the Reno community. Among the evening's many powerful moments, two students stood out as shining stars:

Gouri Sharma was awarded the Outstanding Scholar Award, a recognition of her unwavering dedication, academic excellence, and community involvement.

Yaire Avendaño, a standout Student Ambassador, received the prestigious Healthcare Hero Award for her commitment to public health outreach, leadership, and serving underserved communities.

And the celebration didn’t stop there. We were honored with a surprise $150,000 check presentation from our incredible partners at Molina Healthcare, a gift that will significantly support and expand our efforts in training future health professionals and connecting students with real-world experiences in healthcare. “With Molina’s generous support, our new Healthcare Pathway Program Coordinators will significantly expand the reach and impact of our initiatives across High Sierra, Desert Meadows, and Frontier AHECs,” said Andrea Gregg, Chief Executive Officer of High Sierra AHEC. “This dedicated team will provide personalized engagement and guidance, helping us strengthen our pathway programs and ensure that both current and future healthcare professionals are empowered to thrive.

Adding to the magic of the evening, a special congratulatory video was presented from Senator Jacky Rosen’s office, recognizing the work of our center and celebrating the impact we’re making in Northern Nevada. Her message served as a powerful reminder of the importance of nurturing the next generation of health leaders.

What made the evening truly special wasn’t just the awards—it was the room full of students, families, friends, partners, and community members who came together to celebrate a shared commitment to equity, opportunity, and excellence in healthcare education. The energy was electric, the smiles were genuine, and the pride was palpable.

As we look ahead to the 2025–2026 year, we carry this momentum forward with full hearts and renewed purpose. The Night of Excellence reminded us of what’s possible when passion meets purpose—and we can’t wait to see what’s next.