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Signing Day is Monday for Class of 2026 Healthcare Fellows

By Lightning Reports, Published: September 26, 2026

Henderson County public schools, in partnership with Blue Ridge Community College, AdventHealth Hendersonville, UNC Health Pardee and the Henderson County Education Foundation will celebrate the Class of 2026 Healthcare Fellows during the program’s second annual Signing Day at 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, in Room 219 of the Patton Building at Blue Ridge Community College.

Building on the success of its inaugural year, the Healthcare Fellows program is expanding its impact, with 12 recent HCPS graduates selected to participate this year — up from nine Fellows in the program’s first class.

Each Healthcare Fellow will receive full financial support for their studies at BRCC, including tuition, books and required gear, sponsored by AdventHealth Hendersonville or UNC Health Pardee. Upon successful completion of their program, each Fellow is guaranteed employment with their sponsoring healthcare organization.

The Signing Day will recognize the 12 students as they take the next step toward rewarding, in-demand healthcare careers while highlighting the continued collaboration among local education, healthcare and community partners to create supported career pathways for Henderson County students.

This year's Healthcare Fellows are Leslie Arzate-Castillo (North Henderson) – UNC Health Pardee; Emily Coren (Hendersonville) – AdventHealth; Taylor Currin (West Henderson) – UNC Health Pardee; Melanie Dowers (West Henderson) – AdventHealth; Robin Gomez-Contreras (North Henderson) – UNC Health Pardee; Caroline Jackson (West Henderson) – AdventHealth; Giselle Guererro-Corona (North Henderson) – UNC Health Pardee; Miranda Lopez (North Henderson) – AdventHealth; Genesis Hernandez-Lopez (Hendersonville) – UNC Health Pardee; Kadence Moore (East Henderson) – AdventHealth; Esmerelda Juarez Siendho (East Henderson) – UNC Health Pardee; and Ryah McDonald (East Henderson) – UNC Health Pardee.