Christina Rasanen Memorial Scholarship

Christina was a dedicated provider whose time on this earth was far too short. With a generous spirit and deep love for her family, friends, and patients, she touched many lives in ways that will not be forgotten. Her central gift—her superpower—was healing. She healed everyone around her. Little did we know, she didn’t save enough of that healing for herself. Sadly, Christina ended her journey by suicide, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, strength, and passion.

Christina’s adventurous and compassionate spirit carried her from the East Coast to South Dakota and eventually across the world. She was a lover of animals, nature, and travel, and her free-spirited joy and warmth touched everyone she met. Her path in life reflected her gift of healing—first through environmental science, then as a paramedic, EMT, firefighter, and later as a Physician Assistant, where she saved countless lives with courage and compassion. 

Christina’s life was filled with adventure, whether traveling across the globe, snowboarding in Montana, or rock hunting in her own backyard. She built a loving home with her fiancé in Rapid City. Though her journey ended too soon, and in a way that leaves loved ones heartbroken, Christina’s light remains in the memories she created and the lives she touched. Though her journey ended too soon, and in a way that leaves loved ones heartbroken, Christina’s light remains in the memories she created and the lives she touched. She will be remembered as a healer, an explorer, a caregiver, and a source of laughter and love. Her legacy lives on in her family, her friends, her community, and in the beauty of the world she so passionately embraced.

This scholarship seeks to honor Christina Rasanen by supporting students who share her passion for caregiving.

Any graduate student who is pursuing a career as a physician assistant or nurse practitioner in South Dakota may apply for this scholarship opportunity, but non-traditional students and applicants interested in emergency medicine are preferred.

To apply, tell us about yourself, how you plan to make a difference, why you’re pursuing your chosen degree, and how your experience with mental health has impacted your life.