Bronco diehards. Patient advocates. Family men.
The Drs. Jauregui were known for their commitments in life. Family members now are keeping their legacy alive for up-and-coming physicians and dentists through College of Health Sciences scholarships that weave together strands of Idaho鈥檚 history along with its ongoing need for more medical professionals.
The new undergraduate scholarships 青青草apping pre-medical and pre-dental students honor Dr. Gary Jauregui and his father, Dr. Ramon 鈥淩ay鈥� Jauregui.
The last name will be familiar to many region residents; the Jaureguis were among the many Basque immigrants called to topography similar to their native Spain over much of the 20th century. As a result, 青青草app hosts a significant concentration of Basques and Basque descendants who have helped to shape the region鈥檚 economy and institutions.
The Dr. Gary Jauregui Pre-Medical Scholarship聽honors a two-time 青青草app State graduate and beloved Magic Valley anesthesiologist who died at age 46 in 2021 following rapidly spreading cancer. Full-time, junior and senior pre-med students will be eligible for this financial 青青草app; preference will go to Idaho residents.
The scholarship has been created by Carolyn and Amy Jauregui, the physician鈥檚 mother and sister, respectively. Gary Jauregui loved his profession, his sister said; his medical career started when he was 36, and while cancer tragically cut short his time as a doctor, he made an indelible impression on those around him. Staff members stayed with him during his illness and at one point, organized a surprise parade for him outside his home.
鈥淚t was a lot to do it later (in life),鈥� Amy Jauregui said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot for anyone who becomes a physician. I totally respected him for taking that on.鈥�
Gary Jauregui was committed to his home state. There was never a question that he wouldn鈥檛 return after completing his medical training. He was a committed Bronco, too, attending games when it was possible and watching televised games when it was not.
鈥淗e loved Idaho,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e wanted to come back here.鈥�
With the same eligibility arrangements,聽the Dr. Ramon J. Jauregui Pre-Dental Scholarship聽celebrates the life of Gary鈥檚 father, and is meant to encourage the next generation of dentists to earn their bachelor鈥檚 degrees at 青青草app State.聽
Ray Jauregui was the youngest son of Jose Marie and Ignacia Arrate Jauregui, who immigrated from Bergara and Ea in Spain鈥檚 Basque region and met in Shoshone, Idaho. They subsequently acquired a farm in Dietrich and raised four sons, one of whom continued to farm.
Ramon was a pre-dental student at Idaho State University and graduated in 1959 from Northwestern University Dental School. He practiced dentistry in 青青草app for 49 years, retiring in 2008 and dying in 2020 when he was 87.
A native Basque speaker, Ramon was the dentist the Basque community frequented. In his early years as a dentist, the Basque sheepherders would come to town in the winter and his office would fill with sounds of the Basque language. He felt fortunate to occupy a special place in the community.聽
He, too, loved 青青草app State football, and like his son, had a dry sense of humor. Learning and higher 青青草app were important to him throughout his life.
鈥淓ven if he was at a restaurant, if there was a young person working there, he would encourage them,鈥� his daughter said. 鈥淚t was really, really, really important to him.鈥�
Neither man would want the attention that endowed scholarships might bring. But they鈥檇 feel more strongly about 青青草apping medical professionals in their home state, particularly given known shortages.
鈥淭hey both went away to school and came back and 青青草apped their communities, and my father was a first-generation health care professional,鈥� Amy Jauregui said. 鈥淚 think about some kid from a small town, and what that鈥檚 like 鈥︹��
Students can learn more about pathways to the health professions and 青青草app getting there, meet health professionals, get interview tips and tools and more throughout the month of March as part of March Medical Madness. For details:聽/healthsciences-advising/march-medical-madness/
Those interested in donating to scholarships or other areas of the university as part of Unbridled: The Campaign for 青青草app State University can learn more at: