2016-17 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.”
– Michael Smith with Winner Samuel Millett
Program Director – Terry Scott, MPA, PA-C
University of Washington MEDEX
Seattle, WA
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 – Brian Speh with Dr Deborah Ward
Program Director – Deborah Ward, RN, PhD
University of California Davis
Sacremento, CA
PFC Roger W. Cummins/Veterans Caucus Scholarship
The PFC Roger W. Cummins scholarship, sponsored by CDR Steve Jacobs, PA-C, USN, (retired), is provided to the veteran, active duty, surviving spouse or child of a US Marine or Navy Corpsman who has served with the United States Marine Corps, who is currently enrolled in a PA training program. PFC Roger W Cummings was a highly motivated heroic individual who paid the ultimate sacrifice for his country and fellow Marines and the scholarship serves as a living memorial to him.
Winner – Jesse Cottle(r)
Program Director – Jonathan Bowser, MS, PA-C
University of Colorado
Aurora, CO
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 – Judith Pascarella
Program Director – Anthony A. Miller, M.Ed., PA-C
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA
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 – Javier Aguilar-Moran with Professor Heather Ashford
Program Director – Dr. Francis P. Ward, EdD
University of Texas/Medical Branch
Galveston, TX
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 – Whitney Johnson
Program Director – Brett Reeves, MPAS
Trevecca Nazareene University PA Program
Nashville, TN
Victor H Germino Legacy/Veterans Caucus Scholarship
This scholarship is to acknowledge the dedication to the Physician Assistant (PA) profession by Mr. Victor H Germino. Vic was a former US Navy medic who became one of the three graduates from the first Physician Assistant class at Duke University He lost his life in March 2017 after a 40+ year career as a Physician Assistant. Friends of Vic and the Board of Directors of the Veterans Caucus, have made this scholarship possible.
Winner – David McGehee
Program Director – Wallace Boeve, EdD, PA-C
Bethel University
Arden Hills, MN
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 – Gina Everett with Kim Darden, M.Ed, PA-C
Program Director – Kim Darden, M.Ed., PA-C
Wichita State University
Wichita, KS
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 – Megan Mabe
Program Director – Christina Beard, MPAS, PA-C
Methodist University PA Program
Fayetteville, NC
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 – William Stephens
Todd Doran, Ed.D., PA-C, DFAAPA
University of Oklahoma PA Program,
Oklahoma City, OK
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 – Dr Paul Allen and Jennifer Perez-Hervey
Program Director – Paul B. Allen, DSc, MPAS, PA-C
University of Texas Health Science Center
San Antonio, TX
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 – McKensie Jaxx
Program Director – Bret Reeves, MPAS
Trevecca Nazareene University PA Program
Nashville, TN
Student Acknowlegments
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Fred, Please pass on my sincerest appreciation to the Veteran’s Caucus selection committee for this very generous contribution to my PA education. I look forward to actively supporting this great organization as I become a PA. This funding comes to me just as my GI Bill funds are being depleted, great timing. I am also happy to report that I was just offered the Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP) scholarship from the VA. I was made aware of this opportunity through an email from the Veteran’s Caucus. You rock. Thanks for everything and let me know how I can support you folks in the future. v/r Sam |
Mr. Brace, I’d like to thank you, the Veterans Caucus and the Moritsugu family for this generous contribution towards my Physician Assistant education. With so many deserving student-veterans out there, I am truly humbled to receive such a wonderful gift! As I move into my last didactic quarter, I plan on utilizing these funds to help with traveling costs to remote sites in both California and Alaska to fulfill my rural family practice rotations over the next year. Thank you for your commitment to our profession and your continued support of our nation and student-veterans through your work with the Veterans Caucus. I look forward to one day repaying the favor as I advance into this profession. Very respectively, |
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Dear Mr. Brace, I just wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to the SSGT Craig Ivory Memorial/Veterans Caucus Scholarship selection board. It is a great honor to be selected to receive the scholarship. As a Veteran, I understand the sacrifices made by all Military personnel. I will never forget this great opportunity afforded to me by one of my falling comrades. If I am afforded the opportunity one day, I would like to be able to pay it forward by providing service to other Veterans. This scholarship will help me toward achieving that future goal. I am attaching a photo of my professor (Mrs Heather Ashford) and myself; we are both members of the Veterans Caucus. You have my permission to utilize the photo as needed for your presentation and your newsletter. Thanks again for awarding me with such a great honor. v/r Javier Aguilar Moran SGT US Army, Reserve |
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Dear Fred, The Grogan Memorial/Veterans Caucus Scholarship was recently presented to me by the Dean of The College of Health Professions at Wichita State University, whom herself is a Veteran. The scholarship has been applied directly to my tuition at WSU, which greatly helps my family this coming summer. My husband has served in the military for nearly 17 years, of which 11 I have been with him. Together we have 2 children, our son is 8 and daughter is 6. We have received help in many ways over the past several years, which neither of us are much accustomed to. Both my husband and I seek out ways to serve others and help when and how we are able to. It is a great honor to have been considered for this scholarship and we are very grateful to have received it. Thank you for your commitment to serving our country, your work as a PA, and the support of students working to advance their education to be of service to the increasing needs in our healthcare community. Sincerely, Gina M Everett Wichita State University Physician Assistant Student (316)655-0412 |