Brianna Brophy (center) with Steve Wilson & Sandy Wilson
In memory of the late Roger Wilson, the Wilson family of Aitkin created the Roger D. Wilson Scholarship to help ease the burden of tuition costs for aspiring students or healthcare professionals who are pursuing advanced healthcare training and nursing degrees.
Briana Brophy, an Aitkin resident who is completing the registered nursing program at Rasmussen College, was selected as the 2017 scholarship recipient with an award of $2,000. An employee of Riverwood Healthcare Center, she has worked as a certified medical assistant for nearly 10 years, with most of her career focused in the orthopaedic department.
The scholarship fund is intended to ease the burden of tuition costs so that aspiring students or healthcare professionals can obtain advanced training and Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse degrees. The desired outcome is to enhance the local healthcare workforce and to strengthen the health system serving the Aitkin County and Garrison communities and surrounding areas.
“Roger passionately supported Riverwood Healthcare Center and believed others should join him in giving back to an organization that plays such a central role in our personal lives and in our community,” said Steve Wilson, Roger’s son. “In order to have high quality healthcare in a small rural community, it’s important to have well educated and highly trained healthcare professionals.”