HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. – Henderson County Public Schools (HCPS), in partnership with Blue Ridge Community College, AdventHealth Hendersonville, and UNC Health Pardee, proudly celebrated the first-ever class of Healthcare Fellows on Thursday during a Signing Day ceremony at Blue Ridge Community College.
Nine recent graduates from East Henderson, Hendersonville, North Henderson, and West Henderson high schools officially committed to pursuing careers in healthcare through the new Healthcare Fellows Program, which provides full financial support and direct career pathways into the local healthcare workforce.
“These students are the first to walk this path and they’re doing so with the full support of their community behind them,” said Mark R. Garrett, Superintendent of Henderson County Public Schools. “This program is about more than access. It’s about alignment. We’re aligning our students’ passions with purposeful education and the real needs of our local healthcare system. It’s also a shining example of how strong public school systems, in partnership with community institutions, can work together to create meaningful, life-changing opportunities for students.”
The Healthcare Fellows include:
Gracie Ballinger, West Henderson High School – UNC Health Pardee
Keilah Camp, East Henderson High School – AdventHealth Hendersonville
Miranda Escalera, North Henderson High School – UNC Health Pardee
Lucia Correa Sena, North Henderson High School – AdventHealth Hendersonville
Brian Gomez Chavez, North Henderson High School – UNC Health Pardee
Addison Ducker, Hendersonville High School – AdventHealth Hendersonville
Sofia Sanchez, West Henderson High School – UNC Health Pardee
Leah Jones, North Henderson High School – AdventHealth Hendersonville
Jenna Logan, East Henderson High School – AdventHealth Hendersonville
At the Signing Day event, each Fellow was recognized individually and received a gift from their sponsoring healthcare organization, along with Blue Ridge Community College gear and a few mementos from HCPS to commemorate the occasion. Family members, friends, and school staff gathered to celebrate alongside the students, filling the room with a sense of pride and support as the inaugural class marked the beginning of their healthcare journeys.
Each Fellow will receive full tuition, books, and required materials for their studies at Blue Ridge Community College, funded by one of the sponsoring hospitals. Upon completion of their credentialing programs in Allied Health fields, each student will begin a career with their sponsoring healthcare provider — marking a seamless transition from education to employment.
“We are tremendously proud to celebrate the inaugural Healthcare Fellows as they graduate from Henderson County Public Schools and take their next steps at Blue Ridge Community College,” said Blue Ridge’s president, Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood. “Thanks to the incredible support from UNC Health Pardee and AdventHealth Hendersonville, these students are beginning clear and guided paths toward meaningful careers in healthcare — right here in their own community.”
“These students have made an incredible and courageous decision to pursue a future in health care, and we couldn’t be more inspired by their commitment,” said Dr. John Bryant, Vice President, Operations and Support Services, UNC Health Pardee. “At Pardee, we’re honored to support their journey—not just financially, but as mentors, role models, and future colleagues. We look forward to walking beside them as they grow into compassionate, skilled professionals who will serve and strengthen this very community.”
“These Healthcare Fellows are stepping into a sacred calling of caring for our community and our entire team at AdventHealth is honored to walk alongside them,” said Abby Gutch, MSN, RN, NE-BC, CMSRN, Assistant Chief Nursing Officer for AdventHealth Hendersonville. “We are excited to support these fellows in their education, mentor their growth and welcome them into a mission of providing whole-person care – body, mind and spirit – that’s bigger than any one of us. This program is a powerful reflection of what can happen when a community comes together with purpose and heart.”
Created through a strategic collaboration among HCPS, Blue Ridge Community College, AdventHealth Hendersonville, and UNC Health Pardee, the Healthcare Fellows Program is designed to remove financial barriers, provide mentorship and hands-on experience, and retain talented healthcare professionals in the region. Fellows complete dual-enrollment coursework while receiving support from both academic and clinical mentors.
As the inaugural Fellows begin this journey, their Signing Day celebration highlights a shared commitment to supporting students and strengthening the future of healthcare in Henderson County.
