Community Corner
Greater Phoenixville Healthcare Scholarship Program
The Greater Phoenixville Healthcare Scholarship Program has been providing college scholarships since 1995. Since then over one hundred scholarships have been awarded to high school graduates pursuing health-related careers.
All graduating seniors who are pursuing careers in a health-related field of study are eligible to apply. The program draws from Phoenixville area school districts that include Great Valley, Methacton, Owen J. Roberts, Perkiomen Valley, Phoenixville, Pottsgrove and Spring-Ford School Districts, as well as the Technical College High School-Pickering Campus, Pope John Paul VI, and the Western Center for Technical Studies. This year sixteen students applied for the scholarships representing Pope John Paul, Spring-Ford, Technical College High School-Pickering, Methacton, Owen J. Roberts, Pottsgrove and Phoenixville. Five scholarships were awarded.
Moira Collins of East Norriton will graduate from Pope John Paul II High School and will be attending the Franciscan University majoring in Nursing. “While my passion for a medical vocation has always been with me, my life and experiences have opened my eyes to a bigger, wider vision of health care. That health care for 311 million Americans goes far beyond just doctor’s offices and hospitals. My big dream is that I will be able to become part of that big, struggling network of people working for ethical and compassionate care for everyone.”
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Akshilkumar Patel of Audubon will graduate from Methacton High School and will be attending the Penn State University majoring in Cognitive Science. “Medicine appeals to me because it emphasizes service to others. I believe the greatest gift a human can give another is a new chance at life. As a physician I know I will have the opportunity to give people this gift and to help others live a better life, one free of sickness and disease.”
Mayra Sanchez of Phoenixville will graduate from the Technical College High School—Pickering Campus and will be attending Widener University majoring in Biology. “Anyone can make a difference in life, even just one person. A career in healthcare would be an honor that I would hold in high esteem. I pursue a healthcare career because I would like to someday make a difference in a person’s life. I do not just want to a doctor, I want to be an advocate. I would like to work with children, give them happiness, ease their pain and make them smile.”
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Jordan Sellers of Pottstown will graduate from Owen J. Roberts High School and will be attending Gettysburg College majoring in Biology. “I believe the primary reason I have chosen to work in medicine is because of the patients. In no other field is a person able to save the life of a complete stranger, watch an individual from birth to death, or truly comprehend who a person is. To me there is nothing quite the same as helping someone live to see another day, spend one more moment with their family, or go on to change the world.”
Ashley Westerman of Phoenixville will graduate from Phoenixville Area High School and will be attending University of Delaware majoring in Nutrition and Dietetics. “I am still on my journey to a healthier lifestyle. Over the years I have learned a lot about myself, that you mush push yourself to keep moving forward. I look forward to pursuing a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and going on to help others find ways to live healthier lifestyles and achieve their fitness goals through nutrition counseling and personal training.”
These scholarships are funded by the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation, and the Phoenixville Hospital Thrift Shop – five scholarships in all. All scholarships are $8,000 payable over four years.
Lynn Pike Hartman, Vice President for Programs with the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation facilitates the Scholarship Selection activities. The Selection Committee was comprised of representatives from the 2014 scholarship partners: Timothy Durkin, Anna Mae Galbraith, David Gautreau and James Kovaleski from the Foundation; Janet Reading and Maggie Silva from the Thrift Shop.