Go to main contentsGo to search barGo to main menu
Thursday, July 3, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Ad

Taylor O’Daye Recognized as Sam Lieberman Regents’ Award Recipient

  • Source: Submitted by WNC Press Office
Taylor O’Daye Recognized as Sam Lieberman Regents’ Award Recipient
Taylor O'Daye


Western Nevada College nursing student Taylor O’Daye envisions making a difference in the health and safety of her people on the Walker River Indian Reservation. As a member of the Walker River Paiute Tribe, O’Daye aspires to improve health care on the reservation and serve as a role model for Native American children.

“We have great health disparities on the reservation, and I want to lead the charge in resolving those,” O’Daye said. “I hope to inspire other young Native kids to pursue careers in health care because we need more representation in this industry. Most importantly, I want to make a positive difference in people’s lives and set the example that you can be more, no matter where you come from.”

O’Daye’s ambition, academic success, dedication, and perseverance have all contributed to her being selected as the 2023 Sam Lieberman Regents’ Scholarship Award recipient for WNC.
“Taylor’s path has not been easy, with losses and challenges, she excels in all she does,” said Debi Ingraffia-Strong, WNC Interim Director of Nursing & Allied Health and Professor of Nursing. “From her Tribal Council responsibilities in Schurz to her position as a nurse apprentice at Banner Churchill Community Hospital, to giving nursing education her all, Taylor does so with 100% dedication. Taylor is what the Regents’ Scholar Award is all about.”

The devastation and vulnerability of the COVID-19 health pandemic have influenced and impacted O’Daye’s educational and professional goals.

“When the pandemic hit my family, I felt helpless. I felt anxious. I felt afraid. I wanted to do more,” she said. “My family and I were so proud when I was accepted into WNC’s nursing program.”

Her perseverance and dedication to the nursing program have been tested by the passing of her beloved grandfather, uncle, and best horse since she enrolled in the program in the fall of 2021.

“I was at a point where coping with so much, the loss was halting my desire to continue school,” O’Daye said. “I am not sure how I can thank my classmates and dedicated instructor, Chassity Mills, for the endless support and encouragement to stick with the program.”

Mills enjoys the positivity, pleasantness, perseverance, and dedication of O’Daye. 

“Taylor is one of the sweetest people I have met. She always has a smile on her face no matter what she is going through,” Mills said. “She works hard and puts forth 100% at all times. She has gone through a lot in a short amount of time but never lets that bring her down. She pushes forward and continues to excel in her academics. To say that she perseveres would be an understatement.”

O’Daye, like other registered nursing students in WNC’s program, is already working in the healthcare industry. She is an extern at Banner Churchill Community Hospital in Fallon, providing her with the opportunity to receive in-patient nursing experience.

“I plan on continuing my education and will strive to be the best nurse I can be,” she said.

Ingraffia-Strong doesn’t doubt that O’Daye will reach her goal of becoming a nurse practitioner. “As Taylor moves onward into nursing practice, I believe she will be highly successful with furthering her nursing education and has excellent promise of achievement within the nursing profession,” Ingraffia-Strong said.

As the Sam Lieberman Regents’ Scholarship Award recipient, O’Daye will receive $5,000 in funding from the Nevada System of Higher Education.

 


 


Share
Rate

Comment

Comments

July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 1
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 2
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 3
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 4
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 5
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 6
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 7
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 8
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 9
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 10
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 11
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 12
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 13
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 14
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 15
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 16
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 1Page no. 1
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 2Page no. 2
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 3Page no. 3
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 4Page no. 4
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 5Page no. 5
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 6Page no. 6
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 7Page no. 7
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 8Page no. 8
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 9Page no. 9
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 10Page no. 10
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 11Page no. 11
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 12Page no. 12
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 13Page no. 13
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 14Page no. 14
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 15Page no. 15
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 16Page no. 16
COMMENTS
Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I knew Sam as a member of our church growing up. He always had a warm smile, a kind word, and a great sense of humor! He will be great missed!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:57 AMComment source: Obituary -- Samuel Bruce WickizerComment author: Mike HinzComment text: Great teacher, great coach, but even a better person!!! Rest in peace Mr. BeachComment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:53 AMComment source: Obituary -- Jack Victor Beach, Jr.Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I had Mrs Hedges for First Grade at Northside Elementary in 1969. I still, to this day, remember her as a wonderful teacher…one of my favorites!!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:29 AMComment source: Obituary - Nancy Marie Hedges C Comment author: Carl C. HagenComment text: What are MFNs and PBMs ?? ............................ From the editor: This is a very good question and we apologize for not catching that wasn't in there. We reached out to the writer/submitter and got this info back...hope it's helpful. PBM: Pharmacy Benefit Managers are pharmacies that are owned by insurance companies. (CVS is one.) They negotiate with drug makers to get reduced pricing for medications, but they historically have not passed along those savings to patients. https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/pharmacy-benefit-managers-staff-report.pdf MFN: Most Favored Nation pricing is a policy that means a country agrees to offer the same trade concessions (like tariffs or price reductions) to all member nations of the World Trade Organization (WTO). When applied to pharmaceuticals, it could disrupt global access, deter innovation, and obscure the deeper systemic issues in American health care. https://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2025/05/22/the-global-risks-of-americas-most-favored-nation-drug-pricing-policy/Comment publication date: 6/23/25, 7:47 AMComment source: L E T T E R TO THE EDITOR
SUPPORT OUR WORK