Dr. James A. Koch Memorial Scholarship

This fund was established by Ms. Sharen Koch in memory of her late husband, Dr. James A. Koch. Dr. Koch was part of the Doctor Draft in the US Army beginning his service in 1956. While in the Army, he was sent to Sandia Army Base Hospital, in Albuquerque, NM.

In 1960, after leaving the military, he established a practice in Albuquerque and became involved with the New Mexico Academy of Family Physicians and was chapter president in 1965. Dr. Koch kept his practice in Albuquerque for 20 years. In the 1970’s he implemented a program within his practice to advance nurse’s careers, teaching them to perform basic medical procedures and conduct exams. He joked that he jump started Advanced Practice nursing.

The fund supports Nurse Practitioner students at the University of New Mexico College of Nursing with a preference for Native American students.