Newberg School District recognized Providence Newberg Medical Center’s outstanding support for public education with the 2016  “Partner in Education Award.”  The award was presented to Chief Executive Lori Van Zanten at the annual Chamber Awards banquet on Friday, March 18th.

“Providence is an important partner in career exploration and workforce development,” said Newberg Superintendent Kym LeBlanc-Esparza. “Students glimpse careers in the health field through job shadows, volunteering, summer programs and the Providence Career Highlights program. Providence also supports area high school graduates with scholarship opportunities every year.”

Providence is a proactive partner in youth health care education and prevention. Physicians and staff generously volunteer their expertise and services, whether it is teaching a sports team how to prevent an ACL injury providing free heart screenings and resources for youth age 14-18.

For years Providence Newberg Medical Center has supported local schools through donations of computers to classrooms, AED defibrillators to schools, sponsoring educator awards, and providing significant support for a new turf field at the high school. It also provides important supports for disadvantaged students and their families including free sports physicals support for the local Virginia Garcia Health Center. 

Maintaining her tradition, LeBlanc-Esparza recognized the Partner in Education with original student art - this year a digital photograph by Newberg High School senior Jacob Adams.