2014-15 Veterans Caucus Scholarship Winners
Donna Jones Moritsugu Memorial/Veterans Caucus Scholarship
The Donna Jones Moritsugu Memorial Award is in honor of the memory of the late wife of RADM Dr. Ken Moritsugu, whose life was cut short by a tragic auto accident. Donna was a multi-talented woman and whom Dr. Moritsugu describes as the “wind beneath his wings.”
Winner – Carlos C. Martinez-Cardena
Program Director – Frank Ambriz, MPAS, PA-C
University of Texas – Pan American
Edinburg, TX 92350
Vikki Lianne Moritsugu Memorial/Veterans Caucus Scholarship
The scholarship is made in honor of the late Vikki Moritsugu, loving daughter of RADM Dr. Kenneth and the late Donna Moritsugu. The Moritsugu family and friends remember Vikki’s passion for life and learning through this scholarship.
Winner – Victoria C. McCoskey with Dr Leggott
Program Director – John Leggott, MD
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131
The Chan-Padgett Special Forces/Veterans Caucus Scholarship
The scholarship is provided by Lt. Col John Padgett (USASF) and Major Vicki Chan-Padgett (USAF Ret) to a dependent or surviving spouse or child of a US Army Special Forces member enrolled in PA training or former Special Forces member if they are enrolled in PA training to recognize the courage, sacrifice, and duty to country demonstrated by members of the US Army Special Forces.
Winner – Benjamin F. King
Program Director – Suzanne Reich, MPAS, PA-C
Wake Forest PA Program
Winston-Salem, NC 27157
Lt Col David Gwinn/Veterans Caucus Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is made possible through the contributions of friends of Lt Col David Gwinn who contributed in his memory upon his untimely death. It is for a deserving veteran of the United States Air Force. David was loved by everyone who knew him. He helped develop the Veterans Caucus and served in every way possible.
Winner – Daniel C. Brown
Program Director – Lisa Alexander EdD, MPH, PA-C>
George Washington University, PA Program
Washington, DC 20037
SSgt Craig Ivory Memorial/Veterans Caucus Scholarship
The scholarship is provided by Pat and Terri Ivory to honor the memory of their son Craig, Army medic who passed away in Iraq.
Winner – Colin T. O’Connor
Program Director – Michael MacLean, MS, PA-C
Northwestern University PA Program
Chicago, IL
Geisinger Nursing Department/Veterans Caucus Scholarship
This Scholarship is provided by the members of the Geisinger Health System Nursing Department and recognizes the achievements of an outstanding veteran or a dependent of a veteran of one of the seven branches of the Uniformed Services who is currently enrolled in PA training.
Winner – Cristina Parada
Program Director – Thomas Parish, DHSc, PA-C
Eastern Virginia Medical School PA Program
Norfolk, VA 23507
Veterans Caucus Scholarship
This scholarship is provided by the members of the Veterans Caucus and recognizes the achievements of an outstanding veteran of one of the seven branches of the Uniformed Services who is currently enrolled in PA training.
Winner – Benjamin V. Pipes
Program Director – Karen Mulitalo, MPAS, PA-C
Utah Physician Assistant Program
Salt Lake City, UT 84010
Grogan Memorial/Veterans Caucus Scholarship
This scholarship is provided by Rodney Grogan and his wife in the memory of CMSgt USAF retired Kenneth Grogan and his wife Ernestine and Bryce Grogan, son of Rodney and his wife. This scholarship is open to an outstanding veteran or dependent of a veteran from any branch of the military.
Winner – Kimbery A. Mangus
Program Director – Jack Goble, MHA, PA-C
Towson University-CCBC Essex PA Program
Towson, MD 21237
Society of Army Physician Assistants/Veterans Caucus Scholarship
The scholarship is provided by the members of the Society of Army Physician Assistants and Veterans Caucus to honor a veteran Physician Assistant student who served with distinction in the United States Army.
Winner – Ronnie W. Scullark
Program Director – Craig Myers,MSHS, PA-C
Cuyahoga Community College/Cleveland State University PA Program
Parma, OH
Society of Air Force Physician Assistants/Veterans Caucus Scholarship
This scholarship is provided by the members of the Society of Air Force Physician Assistants and Veterans Caucus to honor a veteran Physician Assistant student who served with distinction in the United States Air Force. The scholarship is awarded in memory of Jerry Reed, Tony DiTomasso, and David Gwinn.
Winner – Veronica A. Dawson
Program Director – Diane Ambercrombie, PhD, PA-C
Pat Caps Covey College of Allied Health Professions
Mobile, AL 36688
Jesse Edwards Memorial/Veterans Caucus Scholarship
The Jesse Edwards Memorial/Veterans Caucus Scholarship is given by family and friends of the late Jesse Edwards. He was an avid PA educator at the University of Nebraska, Omaha who blazed the path for the first Physician Assistant Master’s online program. His foresight into the needs of the physician assistant profession provided many PA s the opportunity to advance their education.
Winner – Robert G. Nydam
Program Director – Vicki Chan-Padgett,
Touro University Nevada Physician Assistant
Henderson, NV
SSgt Robert V. Milner Memorial/Veterans Caucus Scholarship
This scholarship is provided by Rear Admiral Mike Milner, PA-C Public Health Service retired and his wife Patricia Castillo, PA-C, recognizes either a United States Air Force veteran or dependent of an Air Force veteran enrolled in PA training. This scholarship serves to memorialize the life and faithful service to his country of his father, SSgt Robert V. Milner, USAF who served during the Korean War and the Berlin Airlift operations and acknowledges his father’s dedicated service to his community, friends, and country.
Winner – Lauren M. Gaines
Program Director – Jay Peterson, MSBS, PA-C
Eastern Michigan University Physician Assistant Program
Rackham Building
Ypsilanti, MI 25304
Student Acknowlegments
| Dear Mr. Brace,
I wanted to personally thank you for my Vikki Lianne Moritsugu scholarship. I am honored to receive this award in her name. I have accepted a position at our university hospital (University of New Mexico) in the emergency department and I will be using the scholarship money to sit for the PANCE and apply for my licenses after graduation on August 15th. I’m attaching a picture of myself and my program director Dr John Leggott after he presented me with the certificate today. Again, thank you so much for this memorial scholarship award. Sincerely, |
My name is Ronnie Scullark, winner of the Society of Army Physicians Assistants and Veterans Caucus Scholarship. I am extremely honored, and humble by this award. I would like to thank Society of Army Physicians Assistants and Veterans Caucus, for their consideration and generosity. It has been my great honor to serve my country, and to serve others. I can only hope to continue the excellent tradition of the army PA, and to continue to provide excellent care for my fellow soldiers. Thank you all again from the bottom of my heart, I promise to make you all proud.Truly Honored, SSG Ronnie W Scullark PA-S |
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Please pass my appreciation on to your fellow board members. I feel very honored to receive the Jesse Edwards Memorial scholarship. This award could not have come at a better time as my Post 911 GI Bill has reached its cap for the year. Upon graduation and licensing I hope to be employed by the Dept of Veterans Affairs. I think it only makes sense to have someone who speaks the language and can relate on a personal level deliver care to our most values citizens.Thank you all very much,
Bob Nydam |
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